FEMA Public Assistance (PA), which supports the repair and replacement of publicly owned infrastructure and buildings damaged in disasters, also assists private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, including houses of worship and other faith-based organizations that provide certain social services. Private nonprofits and faith-based groups that were impacted by the Los Angeles County Wildfires may be eligible for Public Assistance to help cover the costs for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repairing or replacing facilities damaged.  The Request for Public Assistance deadline was March 9^th, however, Cal OES has indicated that they will review and consider late requests.

The following describes the steps needed to submit a Late Request for Public Assistance (RPA) with FEMA.

1. Request a Grants Portal Account. Grants Portal is the website FEMA uses to administer the Public Assistance program. Applicants without a Grants Portal account will need to click this link (FEMA Public Assistance Grants Portal Organization Profile request for California organizations) and submit the information requested. The information you will need is on the attached “Data Request for Recipient…” document.
2. Formal Request Letter. FEMA will need a formal request letter with justification on why the application is late. The letter should state the request is for approval to submit a late RPA for the California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (DR-4856), and provide detailed justification for submitting the RPA after the extended March 9, 2025, deadline, based on extenuating circumstances beyond your Organization’s control. The request letter should be addressed to Mr. Robert Larsen at the below address:
   1. Mr. Robert Larsen, State Public Assistance OfficerCalifornia Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Recovery Section,Public Assistance Division3650 Schriever Avenue Mather, CA 95655
3.  Completed Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form. Private Nonprofit (PNP) Applicants, please fill out pages 1-6 of the attached RPA form, initial the certifications on page 2, and sign on page 3. In addition, please provide the requested information. All other Applicants, please fill out pages 1-3 of the attached RPA form, initial the certifications on page 2, and sign on page 3.

Please email the letter and completed/executed RPA form to DisasterRecovery@caloes.ca.gov.

Upon receipt of the request letter and RPA form, Cal OES will submit the RPA on the Organization’s behalf in Grants Portal. FEMA will review the RPA and justification, and the Organization will be notified by the system (via email from support.pagrants@fema.dhs.gov) once they make a determination.

For questions, applicants should email: DisasterRecovery@caloes.ca.gov

Which Nonprofits and Faith Groups are Eligible to Apply for Public Assistance?

Not all groups will be eligible. FEMA classifies PNP applicants as either “providers of critical services” or “providers of essential non-critical social services.” Providers of critical services, such as hospitals, other healthcare facilities, utilities and various other entities, can submit a RPA with the state and await FEMA’s decision.

Entities that offer essential non-critical social services must take a few more steps. They need to submit an RPA, and also apply for a low interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), whose deadline to apply is March 31st. The link to SBA’s site is here: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=CA-20030

Applicants should not wait for a determination on their SBA loan to submit the RPA. Both applications can be submitted simultaneously.

Examples of essential non-critical social services include senior citizen or community centers, educational enrichment, daycare, services for people with disabilities, assisted living, low income housing, homeless shelters, rehabilitation services, and community and arts centers. For PNPs with facilities that provide essential noncritical social services, FEMA provides PA funding for eligible debris removal and emergency protective measures. However, FEMA may provide funding for permanent work costs that a SBA loan will not cover.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (RPA) FORM: CLICK HERE

DATA REQUEST FOR RECIPIENT TO SET UP A GRANTS PORTAL RECIPIENT PROFILE: CLICK HERE

####