The bipartisan Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act queued up for consideration in the House this week after advancing through the Senate, raising the possibility of a single application deadline for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance programs.
“Survivors of natural disasters depend on the federal government for assistance to recover. By aligning the deadlines for in-demand disaster assistance programs, this bipartisan legislation will decrease confusion and make it simpler for families to access critical federal resources,” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Gary Peters (D-MI), one of the bill’s authors, said.
In this, Peters was joined by the committee’s ranking member, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), as well as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
Their combined bill would consolidate deadlines for two individual-use programs at the agency: the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and Individuals and Households Program (IHP). As things stand, the divide leaves a situation ripe for confusion, according to the senators, and their push was framed as one to reduce burdens on victims of disasters. The Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act would require at least 60 days for survivors to submit applications under both programs, a boon for DUA applicants in particular, who currently face a 30-day deadline.
“When natural disaster strikes, people already have enough stress and confusion to contend with, and it is imperative that the government does not exacerbate the situation by imposing complicated and confusing rules,” Paul said. “In order to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for those seeking aid, I supported the Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act which would simplify the federal disaster assistance process by aligning the deadlines for two programs.”
The senators’ collaborative effort found its mark in the chamber this time, and won the backing of numerous outside organizations, including the National Association of Counties Executive, SBP, International Association of Emergency Managers, American Flood Coalition Action and more.