Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025

This bill makes it easier and fairer for people to get disaster help. It creates one universal application for federal aid and a secure system so agencies can share information, give status updates, and reduce repeat paperwork, with strong privacy and security rules. It also adds a public online dashboard after each major disaster showing how many people applied, how many were approved or denied, top reasons for denials, and how aid is distributed by income and by renters vs. homeowners—without exposing personal details.

It expands help to repair damaged homes, utilities, and access routes, and lets survivors use funds for cost‑effective safety upgrades that lower future risks. If survivors can’t use the normal money aid, FEMA can provide direct repair help; people getting this help don’t have to try other sources first, except insurance. The bill also orders a study and plan to fix gaps renters face, and lets states run a housing pilot with clearer rules and at least a 75% federal cost share.

• Who is affected

  • Disaster survivors (homeowners and renters), emergency responders and their households, and state, tribal, and local governments.

• What changes

  • One universal application and secure info‑sharing across agencies, with status updates for applicants.
  • More flexible repair help and safety upgrades; direct repair assistance when needed; no need to seek other help first (except insurance).
  • A public dashboard shows applications, approvals/denials, and reasons for denial by disaster.
  • A review of renter challenges and a plan to address any disparities.
  • States can manage housing under a pilot with clearer criteria and at least a 75% federal cost share; FEMA can also fund state websites that list recovery resources for people and communities, kept up to date.
  • FEMA and independent watchdogs will report on aid amounts, denial rates, fraud, and damage assessments to improve fairness and accuracy.

• When

  • The dashboard must go live within 90 days after each major disaster.
  • Several reports and studies are due within 1 year of the law taking effect.
  • Some changes apply only to new funding after the law is enacted.