Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025

The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 seeks to significantly improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) individual assistance programs. A core provision is the establishment of a unified disaster application system , a web-based platform designed to streamline the application process for direct federal disaster assistance, facilitate interagency information sharing, and detect fraud. This system will support a new universal application for individuals, developed by FEMA in consultation with other federal agencies like HUD and the Small Business Administration. It will also include a voluntary survey to collect demographic data, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is tasked with assessing past fraud and identity theft in disaster assistance programs. The bill expands eligibility for repair and rebuilding assistance under the Stafford Act, allowing aid for homes merely "damaged" by a major disaster, rather than only those "rendered uninhabitable." It also authorizes financial assistance for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures for primary residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure, reducing future damage. Furthermore, the legislation allows for direct assistance for repairs when financial aid is not feasible or resources are scarce, including for eligible hazard mitigation. It modifies the State-managed housing pilot authority , requiring transparency in state eligibility criteria and increasing the federal share for certain disaster assistance to at least 75%. To enhance transparency, FEMA must publish an individual assistance dashboard within 90 days of a major disaster, displaying application numbers, approvals, denials, and reasons for denial, broken down by income levels for property owners and renters. FEMA is also required to submit annual reports detailing individual assistance amounts and denial rates across various income brackets and housing statuses. The bill addresses specific needs by authorizing FEMA to reimburse state and local governments for sheltering emergency response personnel and their households during major disasters for up to six months. It also aims to improve rental assistance by considering local post-disaster rent increases and mandates a FEMA study on the unique challenges faced by renters and disparities in assistance compared to homeowners. Finally, the legislation provides funding for state agencies to create or update online guides for post-disaster assistance , offering information on recovery funding, resources, and mitigation alternatives. The GAO will also conduct studies on FEMA's preliminary damage assessment practices and challenges faced by states and territories, particularly rural and impoverished communities, in accessing public assistance alternative procedures.