Federal assistance for natural disasters comes in many forms, with different eligible funding activities, matching requirements, and funding streams coming into play under varying circumstances. Most funding for state and local governments is provided through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), generally after the president issues an emergency or major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Emergency Relief and Disaster Assistance Act (Stafford Act).
This Issue Brief describes key DRF programs for state and local governments, their relevant provisions for states, and recent trends in disaster spending.