Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's Emergency disaster declaration issued for California.

"Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
• Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million. If limit is exceeded, the president reports on the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements to Congress before approving further federal aid.

  How to Apply for Assistance:

• Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

2007 Federal Disaster Declarations

• Declared Disasters by Year or State
• Major Disaster Declarations
• Emergency Declarations
• Fire Management Assistance Declarations