FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs Office Advised us that on August 27 FEMA will implement Immediate Needs Only Funding from the Disaster Relief Fund. The Announcement follows:
FEMA ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF IMMEDIATE NEEDS FUNDING August 26, 2011
On August 27, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will implement proactive, Immediate Needs Funding (INF) guidance in order to extend the remaining balance of the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).
INF is intended to meet the urgent needs of disaster survivors and will prioritize funding. There have been a number of times in the past where the Agency found it necessary to issue INF allocation funding guidance, as a precautionary measure, to maintain an adequate DRF balance while awaiting passage of appropriations legislation.
Please note that the Agency's current efforts in support of Hurricane Irene are recognized as immediate needs and therefore are not restricted under this guidance.
FEMA has worked to delay the implementation of INF as long as possible by deobligating funds from unexpended contract obligations that have remained in the DRF for past disasters. The Agency employed this strategy in FY 2010, and it was a significant factor in FEMA's ability to restore more than $2.6 billion to the DRF. By continuing this strategy in the current fiscal year, the agency has been able to restore $1.85 billion to the DRF.
Immediate needs funding does allow for the allocation of funds for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance Categories A and B (debris removal and emergency protective measures), technical assistance contract support for Public Assistance Categories A and B activities, technical assistance contract support for Individual Assistance manufactured housing support, state management costs, mission assignments, and essential joint field office (JFO) operations.
The limitation applies to specific disaster funding (e.g. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Public Assistance Categories C-G), as well as DRF surge and disaster support activities. Funding is not being eliminated for projects in these categories, but merely delayed until additional appropriations are available.
It is critical that we adhere to these guidelines to ensure that we are able to continue our ongoing and future response and recovery efforts.
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA's Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444.
