Helene Small Business Recovery Act

The "Helene Small Business Recovery Act" authorizes the President to waive the general prohibition against duplication of benefits under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This waiver can be initiated by a Governor's request on behalf of a state, person, business, or other entity suffering losses from a major disaster or emergency. The President may grant the waiver if it is deemed in the public interest and will not lead to waste, fraud, or abuse, considering factors like cost-effectiveness and equity. Crucially, the bill stipulates that a loan cannot be determined a duplication of assistance , provided all federal aid is used for disaster-related losses. Furthermore, no income threshold may be applied to limit a recipient's eligibility for such a waiver. These provisions apply to major disasters declared in calendar years 2023 or 2024 , with a decision on waiver requests required within 45 days.