On Dec. 3, 2024, FEMA released the 2024 Tribal Declarations Interim Guidance, outlining how federally recognized Indian tribal governments can seek federal disaster or emergency assistance through the declaration process. The guidance includes several changes to make federal disaster assistance more accessible and relevant to Tribal Nations, including:
- Increasing the federal cost share for Public Assistance to 98% when the federal government’s obligations reach $200,000.
- Decreasing the minimum damage amount for tribes to access Public Assistance, from $250,000 to $100,000
- Extending key reporting deadlines
- Affirming that FEMA will defer to Tribal Nations to define who qualifies as a “tribal community member” to determine eligibility for Individual Assistance