Code of Maine Rules › 15 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT › 214 - MAINE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (MEMA) › Chapter 5 - MAINE DISASTER RECOVERY FUND › Section 214-5-5 - DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Assessment of Damage
.
				Following any disaster event, the Agency will review damage assessments
				gathered by County Emergency Management Agencies and other sources, including
				but not limited to the 211 Maine referral system and affected municipalities,
				and will consult with voluntary organizations and DRT Agencies serving those
				individuals and families affected by the disaster. The Agency will assess the
				numbers of individuals and families affected; the number of homes damaged;
				essential needs of those affected as compared to available programs;
				anticipated insurance coverage; anticipated unmet needs; and the balance in the
				Fund available to address anticipated needs.
2.
Agency Recommendation
. Based
				on the assessment of damage, the Agency will make a recommendation to the
				Governor concerning activation of the Fund, which includes the estimated amount
				needed to address the needs of those affected and the most expedient method to
				administer the assistance (see subsections 3(C) - (E)). If the initial
				assessment of damages to housing and other individual and family needs
				approaches the applicable thresholds to qualify for the Individual Assistance
				program administered by FEMA, the Agency will recommend that the Governor seek
				a federal disaster declaration before activating the Fund.
3.
Use of the Fund to Assist
				Individuals and Families in the Absence of a Federal Disaster
				Declaration
A.
Limitations on Use
				of the Fund
. The Fund may be used to supplement or complement, but not
				supplant, assistance to individuals and families provided by voluntary
				organizations or through existing programs that are administered by DRT
				Agencies. The Agency will provide no direct monetary grants to individuals or
				families from the Fund, but will instead offer assistance by donating funds to
				a voluntary organization, a DRT or voluntary organization, or to the Maine
				Disaster Relief Fund, as outlined in paragraphs C through E below. This is a
				Priority 1 use of the Fund.
B.
Eligible Forms of Assistance
. The Agency's focus for providing aid
				to individuals and families (consistent with the types of assistance offered by
				FEMA under FEMA's Individual Assistance program following a federal disaster
				declaration) will be on meeting immediate safety and health needs, including
				but not limited to such items as:
(1) Safe,
				sanitary and secure housing (e.g., assistance with clean-up, mold remediation,
				minor home repairs, or temporary housing if warranted);
(2) Clothing;
(3) Essential furnishings or tools;
(4) Essential medical supplies or
				appliances;
(5) Disaster-related
				mental health and medical services; and
(6) Disaster-related funeral
				services.
C.
Support to Voluntary Organizations
(1) Based upon a recommendation by the
				Agency, the Governor may make a donation from the Fund to one or more voluntary
				organizations to reimburse costs incurred by those organizations in meeting the
				needs of individuals and families adversely affected by a disaster. Priority
				will be given to voluntary organizations not affiliated with a national
				organization that could provide additional resources.
(2) Any voluntary organization that receives
				a donation from the Fund will be asked to report to the Agency at the close of
				recovery operations for the particular disaster for which the donation was made
				on the support provided to clients from this disaster. Unspent funds must be
				returned to the Agency.
D.
Support to DRT, Municipal and
				Voluntary Organization Programs
(1)
				Where a program administered by a DRT Agency, Municipality or voluntary
				organization exists that may effectively serve individuals and families
				adversely affected by a Maine disaster, such individuals will be encouraged to
				apply for assistance under existing program rules. Appropriate programs are
				those that address immediate safety and health needs, as described under
				subsection 3(b), above.
(2) If the
				program does not have sufficient funds to serve those who qualify, and can
				legally accept a transfer from the Fund, the Agency will execute or activate an
				existing a Memorandum of Understanding with the DRT Agency or voluntary
				organization governing the process for requesting and fulfilling such a
				transfer. See Section 11.
(3)
				Provision of monetary support from the Fund does not confer any management
				responsibilities on the part of the Agency or the State in the operation either
				of the DRT Agency program that is providing direct aid to those affected by the
				disaster. Any program that receives monetary support from the Fund will serve
				clients according to its established rules and procedures.
(4) If a voluntary organization is not
				specified in the ERT/DRT Executive Order as a DRT Agency, it will be added to
				the DRT on an ad hoc basis to ensure full coordination with the Agency and
				other DRT members.
E.
Support to the Maine Disaster Relief Fund
(1) Based upon a recommendation by the
				Agency, the Governor may make a donation from the Fund to the Maine Disaster
				Relief Fund to address the needs of individuals and families affected by the
				disaster. The Administrator of the Disaster Relief Fund must first provide the
				Agency with a credible estimate of the needs that cannot be met by the current
				resources of the Disaster Relief Fund. Any donation from the Fund to the Maine
				Disaster Relief Fund must be distributed in accordance with the bylaws and
				appropriations guidelines established by the Administrator.
(2) The Administrator of the Maine Disaster
				Relief Fund must report to the Agency at least annually and/or at the close of
				recovery operations for the disaster for which a donation from the Fund was
				made, on the status of support provided to clients from this disaster. The
				Agency will not request return of unspent funds, provided the Administrator
				agrees to hold those funds in reserve for future disasters.