Immediate danger? For injuries, fire, trapped or missing people, gas danger, collapse, live wires, or another threat to life:Call 911
Fox Valley Tornado Recovery HubFind help. Offer help. Recover together.
Reimbursement & Cost RecoveryConditional

Wisconsin Disaster Fund - Local Government Cost Reimbursement

A state reimbursement program for eligible local governmental units, federally recognized tribes and bands, and retail electric cooperatives when FEMA Public Assistance is not available.

Wisconsin Emergency Management

Who should look at this?

Good fit for: Eligible municipalities, counties, tribes, and retail electric cooperatives documenting disaster costs such as debris clearance, emergency protective measures, eligible road/bridge repair, rental equipment, materials, and contract work.

Potential audience: Eligible Wisconsin local governments, federally recognized tribes and bands, and retail electric cooperatives

Applicants must meet Wisconsin Disaster Fund eligibility rules, including applicant type, disaster-related eligible costs, per-capita thresholds, and the absence of available FEMA Public Assistance for those costs.

Government / Public AgencyUtility / Infrastructure

What recovery capacity might it support?

Transportation & DeliveryVehicles & EquipmentMaterials & SuppliesSkilled Labor & TradesAdministrative & Operational Support

Availability: Standing Wisconsin reimbursement program; incident-specific eligibility is conditional

Deadline: Initial county/tribal notification generally begins within 30 days after the incident period; applicant submission timelines follow the WDF process.

Funding / value: Wisconsin generally reimburses 70% of eligible costs under the program, subject to program rules and available funding.

Do not confuse this with:

Not direct reimbursement for individuals, private businesses, or ordinary nonprofit organizations. The program also excludes many costs and does not simply reimburse any community service performed during a disaster.

Applicability

Potential applicability depends on state program activation, local thresholds, eligible work and costs, and whether FEMA Public Assistance is unavailable. Eligible local applicants should work through county/tribal emergency management and WEM.

Documentation and cost rules

Accurate cost records are essential. Depending on the claim, documentation may include timesheets, pay rates, equipment logs, itemized material and rental invoices, contractor invoices, work locations, and other records required by WEM.

Prior authorization: varies

Previously incurred costs: potentially-eligible

FVR is a starting point, not an eligibility determination. Confirm current rules with the administering organization before relying on a grant, reimbursement pathway, tax treatment, or operational resource.