Other Needs Assistance - Lost Wages | DHS 20 ONA 050 00 99

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 20 ONA 050 00 99

The "Other Needs Assistance - Lost Wages" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 20 ONA 050 00 99) is a FEMA grant program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security created as a temporary COVID-19 disaster relief measure. It is designed to provide financial support tied to wage loss during the pandemic by using FEMA's Individuals and Households Program authority for "Other Needs Assistance" (ONA), specifically categorized here as "Other Expenses" for lost wages. The legal authority cited for this assistance comes from section 408(e)(2) of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(e)(2)), and it is available only in connection with a major disaster declaration made under section 401 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) for COVID-19. In practical terms, FEMA is using its disaster assistance framework to help states deliver a supplemental lost wages benefit when other unemployment-related federal support was uncertain or had lapsed.

Eligibility to apply is limited primarily to state governments, with additional coverage extending to "others" as clarified by FEMA, and the description emphasizes that members of any tribe residing within the requesting state are included among the people who may benefit. The central requirement is that a Governor must formally request this lost wages assistance and must also agree to administer the delivery of the program and provide adequate oversight. That wording is important because it establishes the state as the administrator responsible for implementation, controls, and compliance, rather than FEMA paying individuals directly in a standalone federal process. The structure signals a pass-through model where FEMA provides disaster funding and the state manages the mechanics of payments, reporting, and program integrity.

From a funding classification standpoint, the program is listed as a discretionary grant in the "Disaster Prevention and Relief" activity category and is associated with CFDA number 97.050 (a FEMA disaster assistance catalog listing used for federal assistance tracking). FEMA anticipated up to 56 awards, which broadly aligns with the number of U.S. states and territories that could potentially participate. The listing shows an Award Ceiling of 0, which typically indicates the opportunity does not set a single fixed maximum award amount in the public synopsis and that actual funding levels depend on program rules, approved state requests, and available funds.

Timing and availability are explicitly constrained. The opportunity was created on August 9, 2020, with an original closing date of September 8, 2020, but it also notes that funding could close earlier if the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) reached the funding level established by the President's order, or if Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation was re-authorized. That condition reflects the pandemic-era policy environment: FEMA's lost wages assistance was meant to operate within a limited window and budget, and it could be curtailed depending on how quickly allocated disaster funds were consumed or if Congress reinstated other unemployment compensation mechanisms that reduced the need for this FEMA-based alternative.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a time-limited FEMA disaster grant mechanism that allowed states, upon a Governor's request and with state-level administration and oversight commitments, to provide supplemental payments related to pandemic-driven wage losses under the umbrella of Stafford Act disaster assistance for COVID-19.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Other Needs Assistance - Lost Wages" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.050.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 09, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 08, 2020 Funding will close sooner if the DRF reaches funding level established by the Presidentaposs order, or until Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation is re-authorized.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 56 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DHS 20 ONA 050 00 99

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