Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP)

How it works

The Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) is Pennsylvania’s state disaster recovery grant program for households affected by disasters. The official DRAP page says the program helps Pennsylvanians who have survived disasters and have no other way to recover, and that it steps in when federal recovery funding is unavailable. The page also shows that applications can be opened for specific events, such as the Oak Forest Apartments fire.

What the money covers

The program page says grants may be used to:

• make home repairs
• pay temporary housing or rental expenses
• replace certain personal items

The guidance PDF states that grant awards may be prioritized into categories including home repairs, temporary housing, and essential personal property, and that one published award structure allows up to $6,000 for home repairs, $2,000 for temporary housing, and $2,000 for essential personal property.

Timing and limits

DRAP is event-specific and only opens for designated disasters. The page says the program is available when federal recovery funding isn’t available or when a household may not qualify for federal funding. The guidance also says households with higher incomes must first see if they can get federal help through the U.S. Small Business Administration because DRAP has limited funds.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the Pennsylvania government’s online process when a specific disaster is open. The page indicates households need a Keystone Login to use state services.

What homeowners should know

This is not a general home-hardening program; it is post-disaster recovery assistance. The official page does not describe a standing statewide mitigation grant for homeowners, but it does provide direct state aid after qualifying disasters.