COVID-19 Recovery

FEMA amended the original version of the policy, published on May 9, 2020, to add provisions for COVID-19 vaccination efforts and add requirements to ensure equitable allocation of COVID-19 resources in accordance with the President’s January 21, 2021 Executive Order on Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery. Except where specifically stated otherwise in this policy, assistance is subject to Public Assistance Program requirements as defined in Version 3.1 of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide.
This updated policy supersedes the FEMA COVID-19 Pandemic: Medical Care Costs Eligible for Public Assistance Interim Policy released on May 9, 2020 and is applicable to all COVID-19 declarations.

Policy Link: COVID-19 Medical Care Eligible for Public Assistance (version 2) Interim Policy

This interim policy defines the framework, policy details, and requirements for determining the eligibility of work and costs under the PA Program to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation across all COVID-19 emergency and major disaster declarations. This interim policy supersedes the FEMA Fact Sheet dated March 19, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures, for work performed on or after September 15, 2020.

Policy Link: FEMA PA Eligibility Policy 

On April 24, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation “Great Plates Delivered” program, a meal delivery service for California’s older adults. The purpose is to help seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, and to provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis.

Although the program was originally designed as a temporary, emergency relief program to reinforce social distancing measures, minimize hospital surge, and address food insecurity among vulnerable populations amid the height of the pandemic, the Great Plates Delivered program was given a sunset date of July 9, 2021. All local governments who have participated in the statewide program have since transitioned participants to other locally driven food and nutrition resources and services.

Food  Access and Resources for Californians Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic Link: COVID-19 Response to Address Food Insecurity in California 

This policy defines the framework, policy details, and requirements for determining eligible work and costs for the purchase and distribution of food in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation across all COVID-19 emergency and major disaster declarations.

FEMA may reimburse costs related to emergency, non-congregate sheltering (Emergency NCS), subject to the conditions and limitations set forth below. The Emergency NCS will be implemented by the State of California (State) pursuant to (1) the Governor’s Executive Order No. N-25-20 ordering all residents to obey any orders and guidance issued by state and local public health officials, including but not limited to the imposition of social distancing measures, to control the spread of COVID-19, (2) the Governor’s Executive Order N-33-20 (a) incorporating the Order of the State Public Health Officer issued on March 19, 2020, that requires all individuals living in the State of California to stay at home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, and (b) directing the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the Executive Order, and (3) guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health that includes the need to practice social distancing.

Template Request Letter Noncongregate Sheltering to FEMA RA

COVID-19 Noncongregate Shelter FAQ