FEAT-Disaster Assistance Programs Preliminary Report of the Flood Emergency Action Team Overview of Disaster Assistance Programs FEMA and other federal, State, local, and volunteer agencies offer disaster assistance in several forms. These programs represent a cost to government and private relief agencies, but reduce damage impacts on the private sector.
Most federal assistance is in the form of low interest loans.
These loans pay expenses not covered by State or local programs, or private insurance. Low interest loans are available for eligible individuals, businesses and farms from the Small Business Administration and Farmers Home Administration to repair or replace damaged property and personal belongings not covered by insurance, and to provide working capital for business. Federal funding is also available to State and affected local governments to pay 75 percent of eligible costs for debris removal and emergency services related to the storms. OES is the official State agency for disaster response. OES has activated its State Operations Center.