EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT association OF TEXAS

On January 6, 2025, FEMA published the updated Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPG) Version 5.0.  Significant updates in this edition include policy changes related to Tribal Nations, resilience and mitigation, and adjustments based on Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) updates that took effect on October 1, 2024. 

Significant changes include:

• Clarified documentation and information requirements for small projects and large projects;
• Reduced documentation and information requirements for small projects; Incorporated PA’s sampling procedures;
• Clarified that maintenance records are not always required to substantiate damage;
• Included more options for documentation to support legal responsibility; 
• Removed requirement for pre-approval prior to completing private property debris removal.
• Removed pre-approval requirement for non-congregate sheltering activities in traditional settings (i.e., hotels/motels, dormitories, etc.)
• Removed childcare services as a standalone emergency protective measure and is now only eligible when associated with emergency sheltering;
• Expanded emergency sheltering eligibility to include survivors’ “household pets, service animals, assistance animals” and removed requirement for pet owners to be sheltered for pet sheltering to be eligible;
• Clarified that Houses of Worship and faith-based organizations are considered private nonprofit organizations;
• Clarified road damage from damage caused by submerged and inundated as distinct types of damage;
• Clarified that snow assistance is not authorized for emergency declarations; and,
• Conveyed FEMA’s support to report suspicious activities as well as who and how to report

Version 5.1 will introduce further updates, including additional wildfire policies, the remaining 2 C.F.R. changes, and expanded appendices, ensuring continued alignment with emerging needs and priorities in disaster recovery.

Here is the link to the document:   PA Program and Policy Guide version 5