	Introduction

Federal agencies provide a range of assistance to individual survivors; state, territorial, and local governments; and nongovernmental entities after major disasters, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Types of aid can include, but are not limited to, operational, logistical, and technical support; financial assistance through grants, loans, and loan guarantees; and the provision of federally owned equipment and facilities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies have frequently used the program to provide financial assistance. The program is potentially useful for addressing short-term and long-term recovery needs (e.g., assistance with processing survivor benefits or repair of public facilities). Most of the programs listed in this report are specifically authorized for use during situations occurring because of a disaster. As Congress and the Administration respond to domestic needs arising from major disasters, some conditions of these programs may be changed. DUA is federally funded through FEMA, but is administered by the Department of Labor and state UC agencies. SBA's Home Disaster Loan Program falls into two categories: personal property loans and real property loans. Likewise, state or local officials have the discretion to use funds under programs such as the Social Services Block Grant or Community Development Block Grant to meet disaster-related needs, even though these programs were not established specifically for such purposes. CRS analysts and program specialists can help provide information regarding general assistance programs that might be relevant to a given disaster situation. Other Sources of Information

		Selected CRS Reports

			Disaster Assistance

CRS Report R41981, Congressional Primer on Responding to Major Disasters and Emergencies , by Bruce R. Lindsay and Elizabeth M. Webster 
CRS Report R41101, FEMA Disaster Cost-Shares: Evolution and Analysis , by Natalie Keegan and Elizabeth M. Webster 
CRS Report RL33330, Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery , by Eugene Boyd
CRS Report RL33579, The Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters: Federal Authority and Funding , by Sarah A. Lister
CRS Report R44593, Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) , by Diane P. Horn and Baird Webel 
CRS Insight IN10450, Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) , by Baird Webel and Diane P. Horn
CRS Report R45099, National Flood Insurance Program: Selected Issues and Legislation in the 115th Congress , by Diane P. Horn
CRS In Focus IF10730, Tax Policy and Disaster Recovery , by Molly F. Sherlock 
CRS Report R41884, Considerations for a Catastrophic Declaration: Issues and Analysis , by Bruce R. Lindsay 
CRS Report R43784, FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer , by Bruce R. Lindsay
CRS Report R43738, Fire Management Assistance Grants: Frequently Asked Questions , by Bruce R. Lindsay and Katie Hoover 
CRS Report R45085, FEMA Individual Assistance Programs: In Brief , by Shawn Reese 
CRS Report R45238, FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance for Individuals and Households: Application Process, Determinations, and Appeals , by Bruce R. Lindsay and Shawn Reese 

			Disaster Assistance to Individuals, Families, and Businesses

CRS Report RS22022, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) , by Julie M. Whittaker
CRS Report R41309, The SBA Disaster Loan Program: Overview and Possible Issues for Congress , by Bruce R. Lindsay
CRS Report RS21212, Agricultural Disaster Assistance , by Megan Stubbs
CRS Report R42854, Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation , by Megan Stubbs
CRS In Focus IF10565, Federal Disaster Assistance for Agriculture , by Megan Stubbs
CRS In Focus IF10730, Tax Policy and Disaster Recovery , by Molly F. Sherlock 
CRS Report R44808, Federal Disaster Assistance: The National Flood Insurance Program and Other Federal Disaster Assistance Programs Available to Individuals and Households After a Flood , by Diane P. Horn 
CRS Insight IN11094, The Evolving Use of Disaster Housing Assistance and the Roles of the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) and the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) , by Elizabeth M. Webster
CRS Insight IN11054, Disaster Housing Assistance: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress , by Elizabeth M. Webster 
CRS Insight IN11106, Community Disaster Loans: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress , by Michael H. Cecire 

		Federal Agency Websites

Note: Because not all agencies have complete, up-to-date information available on the internet, in particular during and immediately after a disaster, congressional users are encouraged to contact the appropriate CRS program analysts or department or agency program officers for more complete, timely information. Information on a specific disaster may include a listing of declared counties and contact information for local residents. The website also includes disaster-related news feeds and information on community resources. For programs summarized in this report, CFDA program numbers are given (which are searchable at the "Assistance Listings" domain at beta.SAM.gov).
This report is designed to assist Members of Congress and their staff as they address the needs of their states, communities, and constituents after a disaster. It includes a summary of federal programs that provide federal disaster assistance to individual survivors, states, territories, local governments, and nongovernmental entities following a natural or man-made disaster. A number of federal agencies provide financial assistance through grants, loans, and loan guarantees to assist in the provision of critical services, such as temporary housing, counseling, and infrastructure repair.
The programs summarized in this report fall into two broad categories. First, there are programs specifically authorized for use during situations occurring because of a disaster. Most of these programs are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Second are general assistance programs that in some instances may be used either in disaster situations or to meet other needs unrelated to a disaster. Many federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), administer programs that may be included in the second category.
The programs in the report are primarily organized by recipient: individuals, state and local governments, nongovernmental entities, or businesses. These programs address a variety of short-term needs, such as food and shelter, and long-term needs, such as the repair of public utilities and public infrastructure.
The report also includes a list of Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports on disaster assistance as well as relevant federal agency websites that provide information on disaster responses, updates on recovery efforts, and resources on federal assistance programs.
This report will be updated as significant legislative or administrative changes occur.