North Charlotte Today

Senators Thom Tillis, Gary Peters, Rand Paul, and James Lankford have reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act in a bid to streamline the federal disaster recovery assistance application process. The bipartisan legislation aims to create a universal application for disaster survivors seeking aid from various federal agencies.

Senator Tillis stated, "When disasters like Helene strike, families and communities should be focused on rebuilding, not navigating a maze of bureaucratic red tape." The proposed act would mandate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a unified application system for those affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters.

Currently, individuals seeking aid must complete multiple complex applications depending on the agency involved. This can lead to delays in receiving much-needed assistance. The act seeks to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow FEMA to share information with other agencies efficiently while adhering to federal data security standards.

The bill has garnered support from several organizations including the National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, and National Emergency Management Association. Matthew Chase from the National Association of Counties remarked that the current process is "arduous, redundant, and confusing" during stressful times for individuals. Yucel Ors from the National League of Cities praised the bipartisan effort as well.

Lynn Budd from the National Emergency Management Association emphasized that creating a universal application will help reduce burdens on disaster survivors. Mary Jo Flynn-Nevins of the International Association of Emergency Managers noted that it will result in quicker and more equitable assistance distribution.

Melissa Roberts from American Flood Coalition Action highlighted that disaster victims should not face long wait times when seeking relief. Chad Berginnis from the Association of State Floodplain Managers mentioned that timely assistance is crucial for flood survivors nationwide.

Art delaCruz from Team Rubicon pointed out that complexity in applications often inhibits aid reaching those impacted by disasters. Michele Stockwell from Bipartisan Policy Center Action expressed support for streamlining processes as a crucial step toward responsive federal disaster response systems.

Natalie Enclade from BuildStrong America applauded efforts to create a unified application which would ease access for survivors needing help. Reese May from SBP echoed similar sentiments about reducing application burdens significantly.

Renee Willis from National Low Income Housing Coalition stressed that low-income survivors face steep barriers due to daunting applications. Jessie Ritter from National Wildlife Federation highlighted how important efficient processes are for vulnerable communities post-disaster.

The legislation is seen as an essential step towards simplifying federal disaster response systems and ensuring timely aid distribution across affected communities.