Wash. Admin. Code § 118-11-050 - Program activation criteria

(1) The state of Washington will activate the state IA program in the event all the following criteria are met:

(a) A county or tribal government declaration or state of emergency has been issued;

(b) The governor has issued an emergency proclamation with language directing, ordering, and authorizing the director of the Washington military department, emergency management division, to initiate the state IA program in the impacted jurisdiction(s);

(c) A joint damage assessment confirms a minimum of 25 primary homes in the area of greatest impact sustained damages categorized as "major" or "destroyed" according to the FEMA damage assessment criteria. This threshold can be met by considering the cumulative impact of multiple counties and tribal governments, if necessary;

(d) A county or tribal government has requested joint damage assessments directly to the state within 14 calendar days after the end of the incident period, as determined by the department; and

(e) A county commissioner, tribal government executive, or authorized designee has requested state IA program activation. The department will start accepting applications after the director of the Washington military department signs the activation request.

(2) Three scenarios are possible to initiate the state IA program in a jurisdiction.

(a) Scenario 1: Washington state has received no federal assistance.

(i) Cumulatively, more than 25 homes have "major" or "destroyed" damage categories across multiple counties or tribal lands;

(ii) Voluntary organizations active in disaster are supporting disaster survivors;

(iii) The state's request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration has been denied or the state has not met the threshold to apply for SBA assistance; and

(iv) The state IA program is activated to support eligible disaster survivors.

(b) Scenario 2: Washington state has received only SBA assistance and the disaster does not warrant a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration authorizing FEMA's Individuals and Households Program or the state's request for FEMA IA was denied.

(i) At least 25 homes have "major" or "destroyed" damage categories in one county or tribal land;

(ii) Voluntary organizations active in disaster are supporting disaster survivors;

(iii) The state IA program is activated to support eligible disaster survivors through the Household Needs Grant;

(iv) The state's request for an SBA disaster declaration has been approved; and

(v) The state IA program is activated to support eligible disaster survivors. Disaster survivors must first apply to the SBA for a disaster loan except to access the household needs grant and extended sheltering assistance state IA programs.

(c) Scenario 3: Washington state has received both an SBA disaster declaration and a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration authorizing FEMA's Individuals and Households Program.

(i) At least 25 homes have "major" or "destroyed" damage categories in one county or tribal land. In this scenario, the damage profile will likely greatly exceed 25 homes with "major" or "destroyed" damage categories to warrant both FEMA and SBA assistance;

(ii) Voluntary organizations active in disaster are supporting disaster survivors;

(iii) The state's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration authorizing FEMA's Individuals and Households Program has been approved;

(iv) The state's request for an SBA disaster declaration has been approved; and

(v) The state IA program is activated to support eligible disaster survivors and address any remaining disaster-caused unmet needs not covered by federal assistance or any other means.

(3) Multicounty impacted areas are allowable to reach the minimum 25 primary home threshold. The area of greatest impact will be determined by the Washington state emergency management division and derived from National Weather Service reports and county, tribal, or state government official damage assessments or reports.

(4) The incident period is determined by the department and may be adjusted with good cause. The incident start and end date may include, but is not limited to, National Weather Service warnings, level 3 "go now!" evacuation level notices, and the impacted jurisdiction's community lifeline status, including safety and security, food, hydration, shelter, health and medical, energy, communications, transportation, hazardous materials, and water systems.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 118-11-050

Adopted by WSR 24-18-046, Filed 8/27/2024, effective 9/27/2024