DHSES Officials Describe Process for Seeking FEMA Public Assistance Reimbursement
On July 23rd, officials with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) presented to LeadingAge NY members on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program application process. The presentation slides are available here.
The Public Assistance Program provides reimbursement to public and non-profit providers, including long-term medical care facilities and other organizations providing elder care, for eligible emergency response activities. Reimbursement is available for personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting, among other expenses. Staff testing costs incurred by medical facilities, such as nursing homes, are likely to be reimbursable, subject to certain conditions. It is unclear whether staff testing costs incurred by adult care facilities (ACFs) will be reimbursed, although ACFs are eligible for reimbursement of other expenses.
Given the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 emergency, the eligibility of certain activities and expenditures for reimbursement is evolving and often fact-specific. Members were encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible, in order to allow eligibility discussions and determinations to proceed. DHSES hosts a virtual briefing every other week on the Public Assistance Program. The next briefing will be on July 29th. More information is available here.
Contacts: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org, and Dan Heim, dheim@leadingageny.org. Both can be reached at 518-867-8383.