Bipartisan Legislation Advances to Streamline Disaster Assistance Application Process

Strategic Insights -

A bipartisan group of senators, led by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), James Lankford (R-OK), and Thom Tillis (R-NC), has advanced legislation aimed at simplifying the disaster assistance application process for survivors of natural disasters. The legislation, known as the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors seeking federal aid. Currently, individuals seeking federal assistance to recover from a disaster must complete separate and complicated applications depending on which agency they need help from, a process that can take weeks or even months.

This legislation has been endorsed by a range of organizations, including the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the International Association of Emergency Managers, among others. These organizations have expressed support for the bill's aim to reduce the burden on disaster survivors and improve the efficiency of the federal disaster response system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act aims to establish a universal application for disaster survivors to access federal aid, reducing the number of separate applications and complex paperwork required.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by over 20 organizations, including the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the International Association of Emergency Managers.
  • The bill would require FEMA to establish a universal application across federal agencies, streamlining recovery efforts and reducing the burden on survivors.
  • The legislation would also require all information sharing practices to meet federal data security standards.
  • The bill has been proposed by a bipartisan group of senators, including Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), James Lankford (R-OK), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

Statistics:

  • 1200+ disasters have been deployed to by Team Rubicon to help those affected by natural disasters.
  • 90% of respondents to a survey reported difficulty navigating the disaster assistance application process.
  • 80% of respondents reported feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the application process.
  • 95% of respondents believed that a single application portal would simplify the disaster assistance application process.
  • 90% of respondents believed that a universal application would improve the efficiency of the federal disaster response system.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  • National Association of Counties
  • National League of Cities
  • International Association of Emergency Managers
  • Team Rubicon
  • BuildStrong America
  • BPC Action
  • SBP
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition
  • Environmental Defense Fund