What to Expect after You Have Filed with FEMA

After a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) and, where relevant, the Private Non-profit Facility Questionnaire have been filed, you are issued an identification number if you are an eligible applicant. Each RPA is assigned to a FEMA Public Assistance Coordinator, who is responsible for setting up a “kick-off” meeting with each applicant. At this time more detailed information is gathered about the damages, and the plan to repair the damages is used to prepare a Project Worksheet. It is important that you have documentation of the damage, including:

statements, invoices, time sheets, and any other documentation of costs incurred (it speeds the process to have this documentation summarized, if possible)
photographs of the damage, work in progress addressing the damage, and any completed work, especially if you must do work before it is inspected by FEMA
any estimate of work still to be done, if practical.

You are encouraged to consult the FEMA policy regarding collections stabilization and treatment.

After the filing deadline, your state submits a funding request to FEMA for review and approval. Your state will reimburse you for eligible work. You must continue to provide documentation of your incurred costs to your project officer even after you have received your funds.