FEMA notified IAEM leadership on Wednesday afternoon that the Agency has activated Immediate Needs Funding (INF). The agency's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) has fallen below the $3 billion threshold that triggers INF protocols.
Under INF, FEMA's expenditures are strictly limited to lifesaving and life-sustaining activities, including direct financial assistance to disaster survivors, emergency public assistance, active response contracting, fire management grants, and Joint Field Office operations. Non-urgent obligations, including reimbursements for completed work, Public Assistance Categories C-G, and Hazard Mitigation grants such as the BRIC program, are paused until full funding is restored.
FEMA has noted that recovery efforts may face delays until a full DHS appropriations bill is enacted.
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