Federal Disaster Funding at Play in Fiscal Year 2024 and Government Shutdown Negotiations
The Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is running dangerously low as the busiest time of the disaster season arrives and as lawmakers debate spending levels for the coming year. Members of Congress are negotiating a budget deal to fund the federal government for FY 2024, as well as a Continuing Resolution as a stopgap measure for the month of October to avoid a government shutdown. Due to elevated spending on recent disasters, FEMA has had to implement what’s called Immediate Needs Funding – a type of restriction on the use of DRF money, used when funds are running low, to only “lifesaving and life-sustaining activities” such as response and urgent recovery activities. The DRF is the source for myriad programs under the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provide disaster assistance to impacted communities. These include assistance provided under a disaster declaration – such as Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – as well as Fire Management Assistance Grants and disaster readiness and support activities. Even with INF implemented,
