Maximizing Assistance To Respond to COVID-19

This memorandum directs FEMA to provide 100% federal cost sharing for all COVID-19 emergency protective measures (Category B) under the Stafford Act, covering work performed from January 20, 2020 through December 31, 2021. It extends and expands prior federal support for state, local, tribal, and territorial pandemic response efforts including National Guard deployments.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 46759

Impact dates

Dec 31, 2021
End date for 100% federal cost share coverage for eligible COVID-19 Category B work
Jan 20, 2020
Retroactive start date for covered work

Key directives

FEMA shall provide 100% Federal cost share for all work eligible under Public Assistance Category B for COVID-19 emergency protective measures
Coverage applies to work performed from January 20, 2020 through December 31, 2021
Includes National Guard assistance work described in January 21, 2021 memorandum
FEMA Administrator shall publish this memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

100% federal cost share takes effect for eligible COVID-19 Category B work retroactive to January 20, 2020

Near term (90d)

Coverage continues through December 31, 2021 deadline

Long term

Potential fiscal implications for federal disaster assistance frameworks; no permanent structural changes

Risks & tensions

Subject to availability of appropriations creates funding uncertainty
Temporary measure with fixed expiration may create cliff effect for ongoing needs
Retroactive coverage to January 2020 may involve complex reimbursement processing