Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§5193 Amount of Assistance
Title 42 › CHAPTER 68 — DISASTER RELIEF › SUBCHAPTER IV–A — EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS › § 5193
Summary
The federal government must pay at least 75 percent of eligible costs. Usually, aid for any single emergency is limited to $5,000,000. The President can go over that limit if more help is immediately needed, if lives, property, public health, or safety remain at risk, and if needed help won’t arrive in time otherwise. If the limit is exceeded, the President must tell Congress what was needed and propose new laws if required.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §5193
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Federal share
The Federal share for assistance provided under this subchapter shall be equal to not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs.
(b)Limit on amount of assistance
(1)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), total assistance provided under this subchapter for a single emergency shall not exceed $5,000,000.
(2)Additional assistance
The limitation described in paragraph (1) may be exceeded when the President determines that—
(A)continued emergency assistance is immediately required;
(B)there is a continuing and immediate risk to lives, property, public health or safety; and
(C)necessary assistance will not otherwise be provided on a timely basis.
(3)Report
Whenever the limitation described in paragraph (1) is exceeded, the President shall report to the Congress on the nature and extent of emergency assistance requirements and shall propose additional legislation if necessary.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 5193
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110