United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1996-05-23 monographic deposited born digital 72 p. GA 1.13:RCED-96-113 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113 P0b002ee18038360d f:rc96113 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113 RCED-96-113 Building codes Disaster relief aid Information dissemination operations Fund audits Eligibility criteria Grants to states Non-profit organizations Property damages Facility repairs Loma Prieta Earthquake Northridge Earthquake FEMA Public Assistance Program FHWA Emergency Relief Program SCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program Community Development Block Grant Hurricane Andrew Chapter Report RCED

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) public assistance program, focusing on: (1) its procedures for determining eligibility for public assistance; (2) its efforts to ensure that funds are spent in accordance with authorized work; and (3) options to modify FEMA eligibility criteria.<p/>GAO found that: (1) while FEMA must fund the restoration of eligible facilities in accordance with applicable building codes, it is unclear whether the building codes that existed before the disaster or at the time of restoration should apply; (2) the eligibility of certain private, nonprofit facilities that provide essential governmental services to the general public is unclear; (3) without clear eligibility criteria, FEMA cannot control program costs or ensure consistent eligibility determinations; (4) eligibility determinations were not systematically codified and disseminated to FEMA personnel; (5) FEMA relies on states, independent audits, and its inspector general to ensure that federal funds are only spent on eligible restorations; and (6) changing various eligibility requirements in accordance with FEMA program officials' recommendations could reduce FEMA public assistance program costs. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113/pdf/GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113.pdf GAO/RCED-96-113 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-96-113 Chapter Report GAO/RCED-96-113; Disaster Assistance: Improvements Needed in Determining Eligibility for Public Assistance; Building codes Disaster relief aid Information dissemination operations Fund audits Eligibility criteria Grants to states Non-profit organizations Property damages Facility repairs Loma Prieta Earthquake Northridge Earthquake FEMA Public Assistance Program FHWA Emergency Relief Program SCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program Community Development Block Grant Hurricane Andrew Title 42 Section 5121 Title 42 Section 5122 42 U.S.C. 5121 42 U.S.C. 5122 Public Law 81-875 Public Law 87-502 Public Law 89-769 Public Law 91-79 Public Law 91-606 Public Law 92-209 Public Law 100-707 Title 44 Part 206(d)(1) 44 CFR Part 206(d)(1) H. Rept. 100-517