How to Get a Disaster Relief Grant
If you live in a disaster area, you may be eligible for disaster assistance. The types of aid available include food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs. You can also receive money to replace damaged personal property. Some programs also provide financial relief for farmers and ranchers.
The federal government can activate dozens of agencies and departments to respond to natural disasters. These include FEMA, HUD and the Department of Agriculture.
The Red Cross
The Red Cross offers disaster relief grants to people who have been affected by natural or man-made disasters. It is funded by voluntary donations and sales of its blood products, and is independent from the government. It also receives money from the umbrella fundraising organization United Way.
Clara Barton founded the Red Cross to address both wartime and peacetime issues, such as epidemics, floods, and famine. She emphasized the importance of volunteering and developing a nationwide network to meet community needs. She also promoted a clear and consistent mission for the organization, which included teaching first aid and life-saving skills.
The Red Cross is an international humanitarian organization that consists of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the 192 national societies. It is guided by seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, universality, and unity. Red Cross services are free and available to everyone, regardless of nationality or religion.
FEMA
FEMA is a federal agency that provides assistance to communities that are affected by natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other incidents. The agency is dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives after a disaster and become more resilient in the face of future events. Its core values are compassion, fairness, and integrity.
To qualify for help, you must register online or call the toll-free number. Then, you must wait for an inspector to visit your home and make a record of the damage. This process can take a few months.
FEMA has a wide range of programs and tools to assist survivors. These include public assistance, housing grants and emergency management planning. It also provides technical assistance in areas such as dam safety, earthquake hazards reduction and hazardous materials response. These activities are governed by a variety of laws including authorization and appropriation legislation. The President’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is the source of most funding for these activities.
HUD
HUD’s Disaster Relief Grants support community development efforts in areas affected by a qualifying disaster. These funds can be used for infrastructure repair, economic revitalization projects, and affordable housing. They are also available to help people rebuild or rehabilitate their homes after a disaster. This program is part of the larger Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships programs.
HCDBG-DR grants are awarded through supplemental appropriations made by Congress. These supplemental appropriations are separate from the CDBG-DR annual allocations that Congress makes through the regular formula grant process. These supplemental appropriations are often provided in response to extraordinary impacts from a disaster.
Grantees must document that each activity they fund addresses a direct impact and unmet need from the qualifying disaster. They must also maintain records that show their ability to manage the risk of implementing activities. These records must be submitted to HUD with each submission of the action plan required by the governing Allocation Announcement Notice.
EDA
If your business has suffered damage as a result of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance. The Small Business Administration offers loans to businesses of all sizes and most private nonprofits. You can also get tax relief for casualty losses from a natural disaster.
The disaster recovery grant is an important part of the federal response to major disasters. It is funded through appropriations that are distributed to various agencies and departments. These appropriations are replenished each year, and additional funds may be available on an ad hoc basis if necessary.
The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides grant assistance to individuals and households that have unmet needs resulting from the impact of a major disaster or emergency. The State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP) is 100 percent state funded and covers all items not addressed by the IHP program. For example, SSGP can cover temporary housing costs, repairs to make primary living spaces functional, and uninsured losses from disaster-related theft.