The FMA program is authorized by Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended with the goal of reducing or eliminating claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FMA provides funding to states, U.S. territories, federally-recognized tribes and local communities for projects and planning that reduces or eliminates long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the NFIP. FMA funding is also available for management costs. Funding is appropriated by Congress annually.
With the exception of pre-applications for planning projects, FEMA requires state, local, tribal and territorial governments to develop or update, receive FEMA pre-approval, and then adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for HMA mitigation projects. For more information, see the
mitigation plan requirement or refer to the
current HMA.
Please refer to the current
HMA guidance for detail information on the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
Subapplicants submit mitigation planning and project subapplications to their state during the open application cycle. After reviewing project and planning applications to determine if they meet the program’s requirements, the states, territories, or federally-recognized tribal governments prioritize and forward the applications to their FEMA regional office.
Planning subapplications submitted for consideration for FMA funding must only be used to support the flood hazard portion of state, tribal, or local mitigation plans to meet the requirements outlined in 44 CFR Part 201 Mitigation Planning. Funds are only available to support communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Projects submitted for consideration for FMA funding must be consistent with the goals and objectives identified in the current, FEMA-approved, state or tribal (standard or enhanced) hazard mitigation plan along with the local or tribal hazard mitigation plan for the jurisdiction in which the activity is located.
Funding is limited and FEMA headquarters must make difficult decisions as to the most effective use of grant funds. FEMA awards FMA funds to state, U.S. territory, and federally-recognized tribal applicants, who in-turn provide sub-awards to local government subapplicants.
Please contact the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, your federally-recognized tribal government official and/or a local government official to obtain detailed information on the FMA application process.