FEMA has approved over $43 million in new recovery funding for Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. Of that total, more than $25 million is going toward reimbursing COVID-19 related expenses, while over $18 million will support recovery efforts tied to previous natural disasters. This is part of a larger FEMA allocation of $5.6 billion in federal assistance being distributed across states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories for both pandemic and disaster recovery work.
Before releasing funds, FEMA reviews each grant to confirm it meets eligibility requirements. This includes checking documentation, verifying expenses, and making sure the requested costs are allowable under program rules. The agency also looks for any duplication of benefits, especially in cases involving patient care revenue, to ensure federal dollars are not paid out more than once for the same costs.
These reviews are also connected to federal efforts aimed at reducing fraud and waste. FEMA says the process helps confirm that approved COVID-19 Public Assistance funds are legitimate and properly justified.
Among the recently approved projects in the region are:
- About $8.8 million for Regional West Health Services in Nebraska to cover emergency COVID-19 response measures
- Roughly $8 million for Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa for pandemic-related emergency costs
- Around $6.4 million for Mercy Health Springfield Communities in Missouri for COVID-19 management expenses
- Nearly $5.9 million for Omaha Public Works in Nebraska to handle debris removal operations
- About $3.8 million for the City of Cherokee, Iowa to repair damage to the Beech Street lift station
FEMA says it will continue reviewing additional applications and releasing funds as projects are approved and work scopes are finalized.
Learn more at fema.gov
