The Trump administration is considering significant reforms to restrict federal disaster assistance, aiming to shift more responsibility to states. A memo from FEMA outlines recommendations that could reduce emergency declarations and federal aid for natural disasters. These proposed changes, including raising the threshold for states to qualify for assistance and reducing federal cost coverage, could pose challenges for unprepared states and disaster-impacted Americans.

The memo suggests quadrupling the Per Capita Indicator (PCI) to focus federal funds on large-scale disasters, sparking concerns among state emergency managers about the financial burden during future disasters. While the proposal aims to cut federal costs and align with current economic conditions, critics worry about the impact on states lacking financial capability.

Recent denials of disaster declarations in both red and blue states raise questions about the proposed changes’ connection to FEMA’s decisions. Notably, the Trump administration denied Washington state’s request for FEMA assistance after a severe storm, prompting criticism from state officials. The memo also proposes limiting federal cost shares, denying assistance for certain facilities, and rejecting major disaster declarations for snowstorms.

Former FEMA officials urge a bipartisan discussion on agency reform rather than dismantling it entirely, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between federal support and state accountability. The proposed reforms highlight the complex interplay between federal and state disaster response efforts, sparking debates on the future of disaster assistance policies.