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Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025
3/12/2025, 12:53 PM
Summary of Bill HR 1245
One key aspect of the bill is the establishment of a more efficient and user-friendly application process for individuals seeking assistance. This includes the development of online tools and resources to help individuals navigate the application process and access the assistance they need more quickly and easily.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to improve the coordination and communication between FEMA and other federal, state, and local agencies involved in disaster response and recovery efforts. This is intended to ensure a more seamless and effective response to disasters and better support for individuals in need of assistance. The bill also includes provisions to enhance the training and resources available to FEMA staff and partners involved in providing individual assistance. This is aimed at improving the quality and timeliness of the assistance provided to individuals affected by disasters. Overall, Bill 119 HR 1245 seeks to strengthen FEMA's ability to support individuals in the wake of disasters and improve the overall effectiveness of the agency's response efforts.
Congressional Summary of HR 1245
Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025
This bill establishes a unified application system for disaster assistance, expands disaster assistance for individuals and households, and requires related studies and reporting.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must establish an interagency electronic information sharing system known as the unified disaster application system to carry out disaster assistance, including administration of a universal application for federal disaster assistance for individuals.
The bill expands FEMA's assistance to individuals and households by (1) changing the eligibility standard for housing assistance from residences rendered uninhabitable to residences damaged by a disaster, (2) allowing direct (i.e., non-financial) assistance for home repair and hazard mitigation for residences, and (3) allowing hazard mitigation assistance for residences separate from assistance for home repairs.
FEMA may (1) provide funding for state agencies to establish websites to provide information on post-disaster recovery resources; and (2) reimburse state, tribal, or local governments for certain costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel.
The bill extends FEMA's authority to implement state-managed housing assistance as a pilot program.
FEMA must establish an online dashboard displaying certain information relating to the Individual Assistance program for each major disaster declaration.
FEMA must also conduct a study and report to Congress on challenges for renters seeking disaster assistance.
The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) identity theft and fraud in federal disaster assistance, (2) preliminary damage assessment practices under the Individual Assistance program, and (3) challenges in obtaining assistance under Public Assistance alternative procedures.
