Local and Community Disaster Recovery Resources
The Minnesota Disaster Assistance Programs Reference Guide provides a matrix of federal, state and local disaster assistance programs that may provide recovery assistance to communities and residents following a disaster event.
These programs have a wide-variety of eligibility requirements and not all programs are available for every event. The guide simply provides links to further information about each program and sponsor.
Minnesota Disaster Assistance Programs Reference Guide
State Disaster Public Assistance Program
The State Public Assistance Program is designed to assist local communities that do not qualify for federal assistance, to repair and replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure like roads, bridges and government buildings.
To learn more, read:
The State Disaster Assistance Request form letter below is the required document needed when requesting state disaster assistance for your county.
Please DO NOT use any other form. The request is a formal document used by HSEM to submit to the Governor and must contain the dollar amount identified in your state preliminary damage assessment.
The current form can be found below (Word doc) or in the WebEOC file library.
Department of Commerce
Recovering from a disaster usually begins by filing insurance claims, working with adjusters, and hiring contractors. It is critical for victims to start this process as soon as possible after a disaster in order for local emergency managers to assess the extent of unmet needs in the community. All other forms of assistance, including federal, state, non-profit and voluntary normally require insurance claims be filed before any assistance is offered.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers a Disaster Information Packet for individuals, homeowners and businesses to help guide them through the insurance and rebuilding process.
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
DEED manages a variety of business development, assistance and recovery programs as well as worker assistance and job training programs to eligible individuals whose unemployment results from a disaster. Some of the appropriate assistance programs include:
- Minnesota Investment Fund
- Small Business Development Centers
- Temporary Workforce Centers
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
- Small Cities Development Program (SCDP)
- MN Public Facilities Authority (PFA)
In addition, DEED will also administer federal disaster recovery programs including National Emergency Grants (NEG) which can provide temporary work for displaced workers and the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program which can provide assistance to workers not covered by standard state assistance. Read more on the DEED programs fact sheet:
HSEM Debris Management Plan Guidebook
Debris removal is one of the first critical recovery activities following a disaster. The HSEM Debris Management Guidebook provides step-by-step instructions to communities on how to develop an effective debris management plan that is right for the community.
Topics include:
- Staff roles and Responsibilities
- Debris Collection Strategy
- Debris Estimating
- Debris Management Site
- Contracted Services
- Debris Removal on Private Property
- Mutual Aid Agreements
- Communications
HSEM Local Volunteer and Donation Management Guidebook
The
2022 Volunteer and Donation Management Guidebook provides step-by-step instructions, templates, links, tools, and other useful information to help local jurisdictions develop or update effective volunteer and donation management plans. Training and consultation are available from the HSEM Volunteer Resources Coordinator.
HSEM Local Voluntary Agency Liaison Guidebook
Jurisdictions can obtain information about appointing their own local voluntary agency liaison (Local VAL) to lead their volunteer and donation management efforts when a disaster occurs.
The Local Voluntary Agency Liaison Guidebook provides guidance for selecting and training a Local VAL. The HSEM Volunteer Resources Coordinator can assist with this process.
