FEMA provides this assistance based on authority in statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies. If an entity does not comply with all applicable statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and policies, FEMA may take one of several actions including disallowing all or part of the cost of the project not in compliance.

The mission of FEMA's Public Assistance Program is to provide assistance to State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President.

Through the Public Assistance Program, FEMA provides supplemental Federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. The Public Assistance Program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures.