Disaster Assistance Program Inventory

Federal assistance for natural disasters comes in many forms. Most funding to state and local governments for disaster relief is provided after the president issues an emergency or major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Emergency Relief and Disaster Assistance Act (Stafford Act). Generally, assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). However, there are numerous programs funded outside of the DRF that assist public and private entities in the case of natural disasters. The DRF also funds several programs that assist individuals, households, non-profit organizations, and others.

This Issue Brief provides an inventory of DRF and non-DRF programs for disaster-related activities.