Issue Briefs

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance

Congress passed the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) in 1988 as a means to provide “orderly and continuing” federal support to state and local governments to relieve suffering and damage due to disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates the administration of the federal assistance to locations in need of relief and aid. In addition to state and local governments, some private, nonprofit entities – including private, nonprofit colleges and universities – are eligible for FEMA assistance under the Stafford Act.

About

In 2006, Congress restored the eligibility of private, nonprofit colleges to receive FEMA assistance to permanently repair structures damaged during a natural disaster. NAICU pursued this legislative provision for two years—working closely with some of its member institutions located in states prone to serious weather-related crises. As a result of this win, college and university leaders are now able to access federal assistance, allowing them to rebuild faster and maintain a continuity of services that their students and communities rely on.

The Stafford Act employs a federal-state partnership model. To be eligible for federal assistance under the Act, the following declarations and criteria must be met:

  • The governor must request a declaration of an emergency or a major disaster from the President.

  • The President must declare the state eligible.

  • Institutions wishing to receive federal emergency assistance must be in a location within the state that has been declared a federal disaster area. (Often these designations are by county.)

There are two types of disaster declarations provided for in the Stafford Act: emergency declarations and major disaster declarations.  Both declaration types authorize the President to provide supplemental federal disaster assistance.  However, the events related to the two different types of declaration and scope and amount of assistance differ.

Emergency declarations make emergency protective measures eligible. Major declarations make permanent repair of certain structures eligible. Once a state has met the criteria for aid and assistance under the Stafford Act, state officials may contact educational institutions to explain eligibility requirements.

Prior to a Disaster

  • Emergency management experts also highly recommend that institutions proactively assess their potential risks and develop and exercise plans that can be deployed in the event of a major emergency. Such plans should address factors such as communications, public safety, staffing, contingencies, and continuity of services.

  • Institutions may also wish to consider participating in the National Intercollegiate Mutual Aid Agreement (NIMAA). The NIMAA is a voluntary, nationwide mutual aid agreement that allows colleges and universities to share personnel, resources, and expertise with one another before, during, and after emergencies or major events. NIMAA includes 153 signatory institutions across 31 states and has been activated to support response efforts for multiple emergencies as well as pre‑planned events.

After a Disaster

If your institution suffers damage caused by storms, wildfires, or other natural disasters, you should:

  • Be certain you are keeping excellent records of your emergency protective measures, any repairs, and photographic documentation of any damage.

  • Contact the state emergency management office to make it fully aware of any damage to your institution and to ensure that you are receiving proper information regarding public assistance eligibility.

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