2024 saw an unprecedented spike in “billion-dollar disasters”, making the initial $20.26 billion allocation for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund inadequate to weather hurricane season.
Congress allocated $640.9 million specifically for services provided to noncitizen migrants in 2024; FEMA is responsible for allocating this sum among nonfederal organizations that assist localities with noncitizen migrant arrivals – contrary to popular misconception, this allocation does not deplete funds designated for disaster relief purposes.
Under the current appropriations process, FEMA cannot reallocate funds without congressional permission and approval.
Claiming that Hurricane Helene victims would only receive federal assistance through “Serious Needs Assistance” is also false; disaster assistance comes in different forms and this was just one form.
Contrary to popular belief, FEMA disaster assistance money is given freely, not loaned out at interest. While FEMA may refer individuals and small businesses for longer-term recovery loans from low interest loan providers such as the Small Business Administration.
As the U.S. Southeast rebounded from Hurricane Helene’s devastation early October 2024, internet reports surfaced suggesting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was running out of funds for relief programs even before hurricane season was finished.
Internet users claimed that victims of Hurricane Helene would only receive $750 because, they believe, FEMA had already spent over one billion dollars providing shelter and services to undocumented immigrants (archived) (Critics’ View: FEMA has done little for immigrants’ welfare since this decision).
Mayorkas laments, “FEMA does not have enough funds to last through this season. Vice President Kamala Harris recently informed victims of Hurricane Helene they will only receive $750; FEMA spent over one BILLION dollars providing services and housing assistance for illegal aliens during 2016.”
As of this writing, this X post had attracted over 318,000 views and 4,300 likes – garnering one user to comment “how is this not impeachable offense?” Other comments suggested the $750 was just a loan with one year repayment terms or else FEMA may seize their property (archived link here).
On Oct 7, 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump shared the rumor on Truth Social, asserting that billions were going overseas while North Carolina remained abandoned (archived link here).
(Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump).
FEMA Funding in 2024
Although Mayorkas warned that FEMA was running short on funds for disaster relief efforts, its financing mechanism and deployment are much more complicated than online rumor-mongers suggest. Like other U.S. federal government agencies, FEMA receives its funds via an appropriations process in Congress which means funds authorized for one program cannot easily be moved over to others without prior Congressional authorization.
On Oct 2, Mayorkas informed reporters of FEMA’s near empty funds and expressed alarm over how quickly or effectively FEMA would respond to future natural disasters, especially hurricane season which hadn’t ended yet. Mayorkas stated “we are meeting immediate needs with what money is available but FEMA doesn’t have sufficient funds for hurricane season”. He concluded “FEMA just does not have sufficient funding”.
Congress appropriated $20.26 billion to the Disaster Relief Fund under HR 2882 (also referred to as Further Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024), from which FEMA receives assistance during destructive events like Hurricane Helene (emphasis added by us).
Disaster Relief Fund
For expenses associated with carrying out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 42 U.S.C 5121-5126), $20,261,000,000 shall remain available until expended: provided however that such amount shall only apply towards major disasters declared pursuant to that act; according to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 this money is designated specifically as disaster relief by Congress.
As of early October 2024, however, America experienced 20 “billion-dollar disasters”, such as Hurricane Helene. Comparatively speaking, 2014-2023 averaged 17 such major catastrophes per year between 2010-19 (an increase from 12 per year prior). Due to such increased major catastrophes occurring every year between these years, FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund became inadequately funded requiring further contributions; which Mayorkas alluded to with his statement.
Due to this crisis, FEMA implemented Immediate Needs Funding guidance, whereby they cover particular “lifesaving and life-sustaining activities” while deferring any new obligations. However, even this was insufficient; both Homeland Security and President Joe Biden announced plans for additional funds during hurricane season; especially crucial as Florida braced itself against Hurricane Milton.
On September 25th 2024, Congress passed an interim bill that provided emergency funding through September. It allocated $20 billion specifically for DHS use during disaster relief operations:
Sec. 134. Funds made available under section 101 to the Department of Homeland Security under “Federal Emergency Management Agency–Disaster Relief Fund” may be allocated proportionately based on response and recovery activities under Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C 5121-5122).
FEMA issued an affirmation statement clarifying its funding was sufficient to cover the expenses related to Hurricane Helene regardless of legislative developments, providing more details in an FAQ page set up specifically to dispel rumor mill speculation:
FEMA currently has enough money available for immediate response and recovery needs from Helene, so do not be reluctant to apply for disaster aid as there may be various solutions tailored specifically for you.
Further, Hurricane Helene victims will not only receive “$750 in relief and assistance.” According to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ Oct 3 speech: “With regard to FEMA assistance for immediate needs like food or baby formula, FEMA provides $750 for immediate needs to meet. And you can apply now”
Harris was alluding to FEMA’s $750 assistance (Serious Needs Assistance), designed to cover urgent supplies such as groceries and medications after disaster strikes. But that amount wasn’t the only support the agency could offer victims of Hurricane Helene; their official page debunking myths explained:
Serious Needs Assistance, typically approved within minutes after applying, covers essentials like food and water; baby formula; breastfeeding supplies; medication and emergency supplies such as fire extinguishers. In some instances you may even qualify to receive other forms of assistance for temporary housing and home repairs costs as your application continues to be reviewed.
FEMA disproved claims that its disaster assistance can only come in the form of loans on another page of their website, where FEMA clarified this misconception by clarifying that disaster aid need not be repaid; grants were designed for immediate relief while long-term recovery can be supported with low-interest loans from U.S. Small Business Administration which loan money through FEMA; though considered separate, SBA provides these funds through FEMA for use after natural disasters to repair homes, replace personal belongings such as vehicles and cover other necessary necessities needed by individuals as well as small businesses after such events happen.
Congress allocated $640.9 million in 2024 for housing and services for noncitizen migrant arrivals compared with $770.9 million allocated in 2023. FEMA distributed its support through local nonfederal organizations that welcomed migrants across the nation through its Shelter and Food program for people at risk of homelessness outside disaster situations; over two years, support totalled $1.42 billion or about 7 percent of what Congress allocated specifically for DRF 2024 alone.
Appropriations Process
Congress uses an appropriations process known as legislative appropriation that works through subcommittees for funding resolutions to pass. FEMA falls within the jurisdiction of Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management subcommittee, part of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chaired in October 2024 by Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania.
According to the Congressional Research Service, the appropriations process begins when the White House submits its annual budget proposal to Congress; each agency and department submits “detailed budget justifications” directly to each committee. Subcommittees then hold hearings, draft bills and forward them along until full committee votes on them – at any stage members may propose amendments! Once that occurs, House votes on them before sending them onward for Senate consideration (where any bill can potentially face filibustering by senators until 60 senators vote yes) before House votes again before sending them on over for final vote by House on vote before Senate consideration (where 60 senators vote must pass them).
Once Congress authorizes funds, agencies and departments are not permitted to spend less or more than what was approved; with limited exceptions. Furthermore, funds allocated for one purpose cannot be spent for any other use – so for example if Congress approved $1.42 billion specifically for services to noncitizen migrants only but instead used it towards disaster relief purposes like FEMA did (source).
2010-2019: An Epidemic Decade for Weather and Climate Disasters in the U.S. | NOAA Climate.Gov Environmentalists need only look as far as climate.gov and beyond data for proof. That website offers some insight on this matter: https://climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2023: A Historic Year for US Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | NOAA Climate.Gov Climate.gov publishes annual US Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disaster Statistics since 2023: https://climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2023-2024-2023: anhistoric year us billion dollar weather climate disasters/2024-2025_climatedisasters Continued Appropriations and Extension Act for Fiscal Year 2025 is HR 9747 of Congress House Bill No 118th Cong (HR9747). See Congress.gov for full text of HR9747 bill, published on 26 September 2024: Homeland Security Announces $380 Million Funding Increase for Communities Receiving Migrants | Homeland Security. https://dhs.gov/news/2024/08/28/department-homeland-security-announces-380-million-increase-funding-communities, Accessed 4 Oct 2024 | Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Subcommittee on Transportation | House.Gov | Subcommittee/?ID=107419 (accessed 4 Oct 2024 ). Emergency Food and Shelter Program | FEMA.Gov [accessed 26 Jun 2023], https://www.fema.gov/grants/emergency-food-and-shelter-program. Fiscal Year 2024 Awards | FEMA.Gov [accessed 29 Sep 2024 ] Holder, Dave. 2024 Billion-Dollar Disasters So Far’. https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/shelter-services-program/fy24-awards WeatherNation reported 19 billion-dollar disasters so far in 2024 (11 August):https://weathernationtv.com/news/billion-disasters-19-2024) that have hit so far and Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response | FEMA.Gov (4 October 2024). Additionally, Funding Immediate Needs FAQ’s may provide assistance as needed: (See link here & follow links on webpage for each response to storm/disaster). FEMA issued its FAQ document regarding Helene Supplementals in August 2024 at https://fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FEMAOCFOInfFaq2024pdf, while Lerman wrote of Biden proposing Recess Action on Helene supplemental in Roll Call on 30 Sept. 2024; see here https://rollcall.com/2024/09/30/biden-floats-RecessActiononHeleneSupplemental Mayorkas warns FEMA Doesn’t Have Enough Funds to Last Through Hurricane Season,” reported by Associated Press News (AP News) on 2 October 2024 at https://apnews.com/article/5be4f18e00ce2b509d6830410cf2c1cb; Saturno and Lynch (2023), The Appropriations Process: A Brief Overview from Congressional Research Service can be viewed here, 17 May 2023 : CRSreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47106; Subcommittees | Transportation and Infrastructure Committee can be found here: Transportation Committee | https://transportation.house.gov/subcommittees/subcommittee/; This page can also be found here with access date: 4 Oct 2024
