WASHINGTON – Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency made available $23 million to the State of Kansas to help reimburse eligible expenses the state has incurred s a result of its response to COVID-19. 

According to Congressman Ron Estes, this funding is part of FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program related to President Trump’s major disaster declaration for Kansas.

“The safety of our doctors and nurses on the front lines in Kansas is critical to beating this virus. This new funding from FEMA will relieve some financial burden related to obtaining PPE for the state,” said Rep. Estes. “I applaud President Trump and his administration for their attentiveness to the needs of Kansans during this time.”

This money reimburses the state for 75% of costs associated with buying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical supplies during March and April.  

“Our close partnership with the state of Kansas has been crucial during the ongoing response to COVID-19,” said Paul Taylor, Administrator of FEMA Region VII. “The entire federal family will continue to push as hard as we can to assist Kansas in getting them the resources needed in our shared work to combat the effects of this disease.”

For COVID-19, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements can play a critical role in helping local, state and tribal officials assist their communities during this response.

The current disaster declaration for Kansas authorizes help with Emergency Protective Measures, which includes the purchase of PPE, durable medical equipment, and consumable medical supplies necessary to respond to COVID-19 cases.