A. It's a state program designed to provide relief to households that suffer certain losses due to a disaster, and have no other ability to recover.
The program will only cover certain losses that are otherwise not covered by insurance, a nonprofit, or other government entity.
A. We'll announce when the program is activated for a particular disaster.
For the program to activate, three criteria must be met after a disaster:
- There's no Presidential disaster declaration
- The Small Business Administration issues a physical disaster declaration
- The governor determines that the program should be activated
A. Eligibility is determined by annual household income.
Households that earn below 500% of National Federal Poverty Guidelines may be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.
However, funds are limited, so all applicants must first apply for and be denied a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Family Size
| Income
|
1
| $72,900
|
2
| $98,600
|
3
| $124,300
|
4
| $150,000
|
5
| $175,700
|
6
| $201,400
|
7
| $227,100
|
8
| $252,800
|
Each additional person
| Add $25,700
|
Anyone above these thresholds does not qualify.
A. An individual or group living together at one mailing address. If multiple families live at one mailing address, that is considered one household.
A. The combined, gross income of all members of the household in the previous calendar year.
Gross pay = before taxes, benefits and other payroll deductions are withheld from wages.
A. They're low-interest loans offered by the federal government, made available to disaster survivors to help them recover.
A. Yes. We know it can sound confusing, but the Small Business Administration offers loans for individuals, too.
A. Households with higher incomes must first see if they can get federal help through the Small Business Administration because our program is a state program with limited funds. It is for people who cannot get help anywhere else.
A. The program provides up to $10,000 to eligible recipients for covered losses. Losses must be a direct result of the disaster.
Assistance can cover remediation, replacement, and repair to pre-disaster condition. It does not cover improvements.
Covered losses fall into one of three categories: home remediation, temporary housing, or essential personal property.
1. Home Remediation
Covers the following remediations or repairs caused by a disaster:
🚪 Entrances or exits ways from the home to ensure safe access (doesn't include improvements to entrance and exit ways)
🧹 Disaster-related debris removal that causes a threat to health, safety, or access to the residence
🏚 Structural damage to the home
🏘 Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, or cabinetry
🚽 Septic or sewage systems
💧 Well or other water systems
♨ Heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems
💡 Utilities, including electrical, plumbing, and gas
📏 Blocking, leveling, and anchoring a mobile home, and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical, and fuel lines and tanks
🔍 Permitting and inspection
If an applicant has already had home remediation work performed, they will be required to submit receipts for that project.
If an applicant has not yet had home remediation work performed, they will be required to submit quotes from at least two different contractors for the project as part of their application.
Receive up to $10,000 for remediations or repairs.
2. Temporary Housing
Covers up to 60 days' lodging at a licensed establishment if the household is destroyed, uninhabitable, inaccessible, or unavailable. Rooms must be booked with at least two members of the household staying in each room, whenever possible.
Applicants may receive up to $5,000 for temporary housing.
3. Essential Personal Property
Covers the loss of essential personal items. These items include, but are not limited to:
👚 Clothing
💻 Computers
🛋 Furniture
🍳 Kitchen Items
🛌 Mattresses/Bed Frames
📱 Phones
Non-essential items are not covered and include items like:
⚾ Hobby Collections (Baseball Cards, Stamps, Etc.)
📻 Stereos
🎮Video Games
Receive up to $5,000 to replace essential items.
A. A Keystone Login is a username and password that helps you access a variety services from the Pennsylvania government.
Register for a Keystone Login.