FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program provides federal grants and direct assistance to states, tribal governments, territories and certain eligible local governments and nonprofits after a presidential emergency or major disaster declaration. It funds (1) emergency work—debris removal and emergency protective measures (Category A & B)—and (2) permanent work—repair, replacement or restoration of damaged public infrastructure in categories such as roads/bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, parks/recreation, and other disaster-related costs (force-account labor/equipment, contracts, supplies, and related project costs).
The DHS/FEMA announcement says the $2.2 billion was obligated through FEMA’s Public Assistance program to support 1,721 funded recovery projects and lists major individual awards (for example: North Carolina >$200M; Kentucky >$114M; large awards to Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, New Jersey, Texas and local utilities). FEMA obligates funds to state/territorial recipients who pass eligible reimbursements to local applicants. The DHS/FEMA news release shows selected award amounts; a full, line‑item allocation (by recipient and project worksheet) is published in FEMA’s Public Assistance funded‑projects data (OpenFEMA).
Key criteria and timeline: work must be for eligible emergency or permanent work after a presidential disaster declaration; applicants submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) (generally within 30 days of the FEMA designation unless extended); FEMA and the Recipient review eligibility, prepare Project Worksheets (PWs), complete environmental & historic‑preservation reviews, and then FEMA obligates funds. Reimbursement (or obligation) occurs after FEMA approves eligible scope/costs (PWs); emergency work can be obligated earlier. Program policy and procedural steps are in FEMA’s Public Assistance Program & Policy Guide (PAPPG) and the FEMA PA process guidance.
FEMA (not DHS political appointees) obligates PA funds after the PA eligibility review and project formulation. Obligations are handled through FEMA regional offices and FEMA Headquarters’ Recovery leadership; PAPPG notes the Assistant Administrator for Recovery (FEMA HQ) is the PA policy authority and can modify/waive PA policy in limited circumstances. In practice, Regional staff process applications and PWs and FEMA executes the obligation/award to the Recipient; DHS Secretary announcements publicly communicate those obligations.
FEMA monitors and audits PA awards through multiple mechanisms: recipient/applicant reporting in the Grants Portal and FEMA GO, project closeout reviews, required documentation (project worksheets, invoices, procurements), scheduled monitoring visits, and audits by FEMA and the DHS Office of Inspector General. FEMA also posts PA obligations and project details in OpenFEMA data for public transparency. Recipients and sub‑recipients must retain records and may be subject to Single Audit Act reviews and FEMA audits.
The DHS/FEMA announcement covers multiple past storms and locations named in the release — including disaster response and repair work tied to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ida — and lists awards for specific states and localities: North Carolina (Hurricane Helene emergency protective measures), Kentucky (debris removal after severe storms/flooding), Louisiana (multiple repairs incl. West Belle Pass restoration, Grand Isle/Lafitte waterline work, powerline and transmission repairs after Ida), Georgia Department of Transportation (debris removal after Helene), New Jersey wastewater facility repairs, Tennessee Greenville Water Commission (Helene damage), South Carolina DOT (Helene debris removal), Vermont and New Hampshire transportation projects, Texas debris work, plus other local utilities and schools. For a complete list and per‑project details see FEMA’s press release and the Public Assistance funded‑projects dataset.