Potential Federal Aid Programs for Disaster Recovery

Vermont is seeking assistance for individuals and families which may include some of the programs below. We will update this page to let you know if funding becomes available. Should funds be made available, we will provide web addresses with further detail.

• Temporary Housing: Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initially, assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (FEMA funded and administered.)

• Grants for Home Repairs: Can be used for home repair and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (FEMA funded and administered).

• Personal Property Grants: To replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state or charitable aid programs.(FEMA funded at 75% of total eligible costs; 25% by the state.)

• Unemployment: Payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (FEMA funded; state administered.)

• Low-Interest Loans for Losses: To cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (U.S. Small Business Administration.)

• Small Business Loans: up to $2 million for small businesses, agricultural coops and most non-profits that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems.(SBA)

• Farm Loans: Up to $500,000 for farmers to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)

• Other: Crisis counseling; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans' benefits and social security matters.

Assistance for the State and Local Governments May Include:

• Public Facilities:  Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and other public property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Emergency Measures: Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. (FEMA funded, state administered.)

• Hazard Mitigation: Payment of not more than 75 percent for mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)