Maximizing Assistance To Respond to COVID-19

This memorandum directs FEMA to provide 100 percent federal cost sharing for COVID-19 emergency protective measures (Public Assistance Category B) under the Stafford Act, covering work performed from January 20, 2020 through July 1, 2022. It extends and expands federal reimbursement for state, local, Tribal, and territorial government COVID-19 response efforts, including National Guard deployments.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 12391

Impact dates

Jul 1, 2022
End date for eligible work coverage

Key directives

FEMA shall provide 100% Federal cost share for all work eligible under Public Assistance Category B for COVID-19
Coverage includes work described in January 21, 2021 Presidential Memorandum sections 2 and 3(a) on National Guard use
Applies to work performed January 20, 2020 through July 1, 2022
FEMA Administrator shall publish this memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

100% federal cost share takes effect for eligible Category B COVID-19 work

Near term (90d)

FEMA to implement reimbursement for ongoing eligible work through July 1, 2022

Long term

Coverage extends retroactively to January 20, 2020; no extension beyond July 1, 2022 specified

Risks & tensions

No new funding appropriated; 'subject to availability of appropriations' may limit implementation
Retroactive reimbursement to January 2020 may strain FEMA administrative capacity
Fixed July 1, 2022 end date creates cliff for ongoing pandemic needs