Houses of worship can now receive FEMA aid

Houses of worship can now receive FEMA aid

WASHINGTON — After lawsuits and a Supreme Court decision, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a new policy extending disaster relief to churches, synagogues and other congregations.

Addressing a church-state separation issue, the agency’s latest policy guide says FEMA made the change so houses of worship aren’t considered ineligible “on the basis of the religious character or primarily religious use of the facility.”

In FEMA’s previous guide, language deemed private nonprofits ineligible for aid if they primarily offered religious activities — including worship and religious instruction. That language has been removed from the policy guide released Jan. 2. (RNS)