Disaster Assistance: Updated FEMA Guidance Could Better Help Communities Apply for Individual Assistance

FEMA revised how it evaluates disaster assistance requests, aiming to better support communities—especially smaller or more vulnerable ones. However, its guidance still relies on outdated data, making it harder for states to gauge their chances of receiving Individual Assistance. This GAO report recommends FEMA regularly update its cost-to-capacity benchmarks, which could improve decision-making and help ensure critical aid reaches those in need. With disasters becoming more frequent and severe, ensuring clear, accurate guidance is essential for timely community recovery.