This bill enables individuals or households to receive displacement assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following a disaster (i.e., funds to address immediate, short-term lodging needs) regardless of the recipient’s insurance status.
Under current law, in determining whether an individual or household is eligible for displacement assistance, FEMA generally must determine whether the applicant has insurance that will cover those same expenses, to avoid a duplication of benefits. The bill prohibits FEMA from considering insurance a duplication of benefits when determining an individual or household’s eligibility for displacement assistance, removing the need for FEMA to determine insurance status prior to providing the assistance.