In the wake of major floods, survivors face considerable challenges navigating federal recovery programs from across more than 30 government entities, making it difficult to access support for serious needs such as temporary housing and property repair or replacement. The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act would implement a number of longstanding recommendations to simplify the recovery process. In particular, the legislation would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in collaboration with other federal agencies, to develop a universal application to carry out the federal government’s suite of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, and equitably.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Among other reforms, H.R.1796 aims to simplify the procedure for individuals and households applying for aid after a significant disaster. Disaster survivors would only need to complete one application to apply for assistance from multiple federal programs, consolidating duplicative steps, improving transparency and efficiency for taxpayers, and ultimately helping survivors access relief faster while driving more resilient recoveries.

Read H.R.1796 online

Photo courtesy of U.S. Army, Spc. Samuel Herman