Will FEMA reimburse me for buying a chainsaw or a generator? Maybe, but most likely no.

No, FEMA will not simply reimburse you for a generator or a chainsaw just because they published a Press Release stating they will reimburse generators up to $800 and chainsaws up to $250.

Update: I reached out to a homeowner who did purchase a generator and was awarded the total amount of the FEMA grant for generators. The person has a medical need which when the receipt was uploaded so was the medical need information. This letter was for Hurricane Ida reimbursement for a new generator. Note that the FEMA letter includes the disclaimer that these are "..expenses approved by your state..." this is important before you purchase equipment. Also, this item was not covered by insurance and the household is a low-income household.

Update (2024): FEMA releases more detailed reimbursement press release for Generators and Chainsaws.
FEMA Press Release Sept. 2024: Costs of Generators and Chainsaws May Be Reimbursable
Snip from press release:

"If you purchased or rented a generator or chainsaw because of Hurricane Francine, you may be able to get reimbursed by FEMA for those expenses. The maximum reimbursement for a chainsaw is $219 and the maximum reimbursement for a generator is $629.

You may be eligible if you purchased or rented a generator to power equipment necessary for an existing medical condition."

[Start of FEMA letter skipping header]

FEMA has reviewed your application for disaster assistance. FEMA Assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot cover all losses caused by a disaster; it is intended to help with emergency disaster recovery needs. This letter explains the assistance you are eligible to receive.

ASSISTANCE APPROVED
You are eligible for a total of $800.00:

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will either mail you a check or deposit the funds into your bank account.

Eligible - Other Needs Assistance - Miscellaneous Assistance (EMISC)
You have been APPROVED for $800.00 for Miscellaneous Assistance for Other Assistance Includes: Generator, 5.5KW. This assistance is provided to assist with specific disaster-related expenses approved by your State, Territory, or Tribal Government.

{End of FEMA letter]

If you recall disaster reimbursements from FEMA over the last decade or more you should know of at least 3 or 4 times FEMA published the Generator and Chainsaw Press Release (PR) and didn't add all the requirements to be eligible.

"Miscellaneous Items: Funds for certain items purchased due to the disaster. Reimbursement for generators is limited to a generator purchased during the event by the applicant to power medically required equipment after a utility outage." Texas Ice Storms March 2, 2021.

Louisiana had Ice Storms and were not offered a generator. Why? Because the Governor didn't request or authorized the option.

You can do like many did after Hurricane Gustav and purchase a generator and chainsaw and not open the box on either. File your reimbursement then sell it all for cash. While you're at it, let's get every household in all 24 parishes to do the same so we all have generators to sell new never used or to save for the next storm.. (Think about the last time FEMA purchased you a hot plate, a kitchen sink held up with 2x4's and a toilet with a half wall. FEMA is about temporary fixes and does not fund anything if you are insured or qualify for SBA loans. FEMA is not your rich uncle with deep pockets.

Let's talk Chainsaws and the FEMA press release that nearly every news outlet repeats without adding facts to the document to allow you to make a very informed decision.

FEMA will use the words, "eligibility", and "requirements" often. So often I'm surprised how many people think they are automatically approved.

Let's take a short stroll back in time and visit other storms that FEMA published Generators and Chainsaw reimbursements.

FEMA Fact Sheet Hurricane Laura Release Date: September 11, 2020

FEMA: "Will FEMA reimburse me for buying a chain saw?

Yes, the chainsaw must be purchased or rented to gain access to and/or remove hazards from the home. If you receive financial housing assistance or have insurance coverage for debris or tree removal costs, you may not receive assistance for chainsaw reimbursement."

Fact Check: FEMA will allow a person that did not have insurance coverage to clear trees from the home to purchase a chainsaw and complete the work themselves. You would need to document the tree and that it punctured your roof or made it impossible to enter your home.

If you have a tree that fell in your yard or over your driveway that will not meet the requirements for reimbursements. It may be a good idea to push for a FEMA inspector to document the tree. When you document damage be sure you use a camera that will insert a Date and Time stamp on the photo. Some phone cameras do not have this feature but will have the meta data that can be extracted and stamped on the digital image with third party software.

FEMA Fact Sheet Hurricane Laura Release Date: September 11, 2020

FEMA: "Will FEMA reimburse for buying a generator?

If you buy or rent a generator within 30 days after the incident start date of August 22, 2020, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance for reimbursement if:

You meet the general eligibility requirements for FEMA's Individual Assistance program
Your home is your primary residence and is in an area designated for Individual Assistance (IA)
The generator was purchased or rented due to a disruption in electrical utility service caused by a Presidentially declared disaster
You submit proof-of-purchase or rental receipts for the generator."

FACT CHECK: FEMA does not include the main purpose and usage of the generator in any press release or fact sheet since I have been following them after Hurricane Gustav. The $499 generator reimbursement came complete with local vendors stating you will be reimbursed by FEMA up to $499 for a generator. That statement is simply not true and hundreds that purchased generators with dreams of reimbursement were trying to return the generators to the street vendors they were listening to.

Let's review the facts of the Generator Program by FEMA.

Reading any Louisiana news outlet you would think this is a done deal. You would think you have until Sept. 25, 2021 to purchase a generator. If these news outlets would think back to what GOSHEP said after Hurricane Gustav they wouldn't have published the press release from FEMA without at least some type of disclaimer.

FEMA Press Release: Hurricane Ida Survivors May be Eligible for Generator and Chainsaw Reimbursement
Release Date September 6, 2021
Release Number: DR-4611-LA NR-002

(Snip from press release to fact check)

"Applicants who purchase or rent a generator and/or chainsaw between Aug. 26, 2021 and Sept. 25, 2021, may be eligible to receive financial assistance for reimbursement if:

The applicant meets the general eligibility requirements for FEMA's Individuals and Households Program.
The home is the applicant's primary residence and is located in a parish designated for the Individuals and Households Program. The parishes are: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.
The generator was purchased or rented due to a disruption in electrical utility service caused by Hurricane Ida.
Proof-of-purchase or rental receipts for the items are submitted by the applicant."

Editor: Sounds like a great deal, I remember the guy selling generators for $499 at the Shell station that was closed after Gustav. He made a sign, "FEMA Reimbursement voucher qualified Generator." and was sold out before the end of day.

Later that month, FEMA and the Governor informed those asking for reimbursement that it was for medical reasons and nothing more.

So let's FACT CHECK and remember how past storms have been handled. First, the FEMA press release has only made one change in the last 11 years. The price of the generator was $499 and now it's $800.

FACT: You must be approved for IHP and have a medical need for electricity.

FEMA Resource: Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG) Version 1.1 FP 104-009-03 | May 2021

Resource: "Chapter 2: Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Eligibility.

Financial assistance may not be considered for items obtained after the start of the incident that are typically used to rebuild the pre-disaster residence. However, assistance may be awarded for expenses (not covered by insurance) to purchase or rent items required to power life-sustaining medical equipment (e.g., generators). (See Chapter 6: Other Needs Assistance: Non-SBA-Dependent: Assistance for Miscellaneous Items)."

Resource: FEMA Chapter 6: Other Needs Assistance (ONA)

D. Assistance for Miscellaneous Items

FEMA provides financial assistance under the ONA provision of the IHP to individuals and households with certain disaster-caused miscellaneous expenses.114 Eligible items must be purchased or rented after the incident to assist with the applicant's disaster recovery, such as gaining access to the property or assisting with cleaning efforts. Items damaged by the disaster that were owned prior to the disaster will be considered under Personal Property Assistance. State, territorial, and tribal governments, in consultation with FEMA, have identified standard miscellaneous line items linked here is a copy from Louisiana GOHSEP for 2021 disaster year. However, the state, territorial, or tribal government may elect not to include all of these items as eligible for reimbursement:

Carbon Monoxide Detector
Chainsaw
Dehumidifier
Generator
- (see "Generator expenses only" under this section's Limitations and Exclusions)
Humidifier
Smoke Detector
Weather Radio

Editor Note: Your FEMA direct deposit under the ONA Miscellaneous Items will show up on your bank statement as FEMA TREAS 310 MISC PAY. To be eligible for ONA you either have to be without insurance coverage or low income otherwise you may qualify for an SBA loan that would cover your generator or chainsaw or even your homeowners insurance. If the SBA determines you can not afford to repay a loan they could send you back to FEMA for a ONA Grant of up to $7,500 but, you would have to not qualify for any amount from the SBA which is very hard to do if you are over low income (50% or greater average AMI) So the Press and your Politicians are all going to tell you FEMA will reimburse you. I'm just sharing with you the policy that FEMA has on file as of today. Unless they amend the policy and the Governor announces the reimbursement it's all based on Eligibility for ONA and Miscellaneous Items approved by FEMA and the Governor.

FEMA Resource May 2021: "Conditions of Eligibility

In addition to meeting general conditions of eligibility (see Chapter 3, II.), applicants must meet the following conditions in order to receive Assistance for Miscellaneous Items:

The expense must be a direct result of the disaster.
The item must have been purchased or rented within 30 days after the incident start date or up to the last day of the incident period, whichever is greater.
Generator exception: The reimbursement period starts the day the Governor or Tribal Chief Executive declares a State of Emergency and ends at the incident period closure date identified by FEMA in the Federal Register, or if warranted due to extraordinary circumstances, the date commercial power is restored to the applicant’s primary residence as verified by the FEMA JFO or commercial power provider.
Applicants must provide an itemized receipt or equipment rental agreement for eligible expenses.
The expense must not be covered by insurance or provided by any other source.

FEMA Resource May 2021: Limitations and Exclusions

Prior to the disaster, if the applicant owned the eligible miscellaneous item and the item was damaged by the disaster, the item will be considered under Personal Property Assistance.
Assistance for Miscellaneous Items is limited to the quantity established for the item by the STT government on the ONA Administrative Option Selection Form.
If the pre-disaster primary residence is located within a CBRS Unit, the applicant may not be considered for Assistance for Miscellaneous Items except for expenses to purchase or rent items required to power life-sustaining medical equipment (e.g., generators).

FEMA Resource May 2021: Generator expenses only:

The generator must be purchased or rented to power a medically-required piece of equipment, including medically-required refrigerators.
The generator must be purchased or rented due to a disruption in electrical utility service as a result of the disaster.
The applicant must submit a statement from a medical services provider, indicating the equipment is medically necessary. The allowable award amount for generators is limited to the prevailing retail or rental rate for a 5.5 kw-sized generator, as identified by FEMA.
The IA Division Director may waive one or more conditions of eligibility during extraordinary circumstances (e.g., sustained power outage during a period of sub-freezing temperatures) when determined to be in the public's interest.

FEMA Resource May 2021: Chainsaw expenses only:

The chainsaw must be purchased or rented to gain access to and/or remove hazards from the home.

(End FEMA Resource References published May 2021.)

If the Governor publishes additional guidance the state can and will accept reimbursement applications. But, this only happens if the Governor requests it. You can review this from Hurricane Gustav and Ike audit December 1, 2010.

Note: That ends the information I have from 2010 which to date appears to still be valid. Don't let a prize of a new chainsaw or generator free from your Federal Government Agency (FEMA) make a hole in your wallet or purse.

If you can provide proof that FEMA policy has changed since 2010 and they are buying everyone in Louisiana that qualifies for IHP a new generator and chainsaw please contact me. I am one that purchased a generator because the starter on our other generator failed.

UPDATE 9-30-2022:
I have noticed several congressional representatives stating you will get reimbursement for both generators and chainsaws. Because local politicians have told people what your state governors disaster team will be doing I suggest you ask the congressional representatives to get the full process and procedure in writing from FEMA and the Governors office.

Every year before the end of November every state has to file with FEMA their INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP) - OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION SELECTION. On this form you'll see the first line "Instructions: This form must be completed and submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by November 30 every year." This tells FEMA what the state is willing to offer individuals and households under the other needs assistance program.

The Governors Disaster Team for Louisiana working within the GOHSEP provided this form to FEMA for the disaster year 2022.

To verify if GOHSEP actually listed Generators and Chainsaws for disaster years 2020 and 2021 you would have to request the form that was filed before the end of November in 2019 and 2020. If you would like, send your document request to:

Gohsepcor@LA.GOV

Submit your document request like the example I have provided below.

EXAMPLE DOCUMENT REQUEST START

I respectfully request a copy of the FEMA Form 010-0-11 submitted by the state of Louisiana to FEMA for the individuals and Household Program Other Needs Assistance items list.

The document title is:

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP) - OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE
ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION SELECTION

This document is filed before November 30 every year by the state.
I would like a copy of the 2020 filing to FEMA from the state of Louisiana.

EXAMPLE DOCUMENT REQUEST END

Depending on which year you filed a disaster claim you would request the previous years form. For 2020 ask for 2019, 2021 ask for 2020. I have a copy of the 2021 form which would cover disasters in 2022 from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) linked here. In my opinion this should be linked yearly and accessible via the GOHSEP website but I have not been able to locate the link or the page offering the information needed to know what GOSHEP was offering under the ONA FEMA program. The Governors Office does offer a small section about the ONA program on this page under the section "Cost Share" you'll see the 75/25 percentage.

TIP: If you received housing assistance during the period of time your primary residence was without power you might want to think about the duplication of benefits if you rented a room and purchased a generator and plan on claiming the generator as needed while you were renting a room with power available. Just keep thinking logical and you'll stay out of recapture.

Bottom line of this update is simple, if the Governors Disaster Team didn't submit the year before the disaster that they will participate with the cost share of generators and chainsaws and didn't waive the medical reasons only rule then only the Governor and the Governors Disaster Team can answer your question with 100% certainty.

End of Update 9-30-2022

Research Resources:

FEMA Press Releases from past storms:

Release Date: September 10, 2020 Generator and Chainsaw Reimbursement for Hurricane Laura Survivors
FEMA FACT SHEET GENERATOR POLICY May 2011 "The generator must be needed for a medically required appliance or piece of equipment;"
FEMA Press Release Sept. 2024: Costs of Generators and Chainsaws May Be Reimbursable