Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025

The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 aims to simplify the process for individuals and households seeking federal aid after a natural disaster. The bill would direct the FEMA Administrator to develop a universal application system, allowing survivors to apply for multiple types of federal assistance through a single form rather than navigating separate, complex applications for different agencies. It also proposes a web-based platform to help applicants track their status and access recovery resources more easily.

Beyond administrative changes, the legislation would expand FEMA's authority to provide direct financial assistance for home repairs and hazard mitigation. This includes allowing homeowners to receive aid for rebuilding more resilient structures without first having to exhaust all insurance settlements. The bill also seeks to improve support for renters and individuals experiencing homelessness by making post-disaster housing assistance more accessible and flexible.

To ensure better transparency and accountability, the bill would require the creation of an individual assistance dashboard and mandate several reports to Congress on the effectiveness of disaster relief. It also proposes to allow FEMA to reimburse states for the costs of sheltering emergency response and law enforcement personnel during a crisis. If enacted, these changes would focus on reducing the "red tape" that often delays recovery for families and communities following major disasters.