In introducing the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act this week, a bipartisan three senators proposed the creation of a universal application for federal disaster recovery assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The current system, in the views of U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Raul (R-KY) and James Lankford (R-OK), is overwrought – a complex network of various assistance types that requires separate, detailed applications depending on what federal agency those seeking aid call upon. The process can take months, and these senators want to reduce the burden on disaster survivors by making a one-size-fits-all version for those recovering from hurricanes, floods, wildfires and more.
“Michiganders and people across the country should not have to go a through burdensome, complicated process to obtain federal assistance when disaster strikes,” Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will establish a simple, universal application for people who are seeking federal help to rebuild their lives after natural disasters and emergencies.”
Specifically, the bill would amend the existing Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for its changes. FEMA would be enabled to share information – with attached federal data security standards – on disaster survivors with other federal agencies to simplify recovery efforts. The agency would also be appointed lead for implementing the application for disaster victims.
“Over the past few years, Kentucky has endured several deadly tornadoes and flash floods, leaving significant damage and displacing thousands throughout the Commonwealth,” Paul, ranking member of the same committee, said “Many of those impacted have expressed challenges in receiving quick assistance and updates from government agencies.”
Lankford added that things as they are simply represent bad customer service.
Disaster assistance ranges from property disaster loans at the Small Business Administration to FEMA’s own Individuals and Households program. However, analysis cited by the senators found that more than 50 percent of the questions on application forms for these programs are essentially copy-paste, adding time unnecessarily. Many survivors, they fear, give up from a state of overwhelm before even finishing them, foregoing aid they need.