Benefit-Cost Analysis | FEMA.gov
How to celebrate
Get the BCA Toolkit
Resources and support
Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) is a method of determining the potential benefits of a hazard mitigation project and comparing the benefits to the costs.
The result is the benefit-cost ratio (BCR). A project is considered cost-effective when the BCR is 1.0 or higher.
applicants and sub-applicants Must use FEMA approved methods and equipment. – as a BCA Toolkit – To demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of their projects.
Alternative cost-effectiveness method
On October 7, 2022, FEMA announced increased program access to communities for fiscal year 2022.
This increased support will benefit communities with challenges that meet the requirements of a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) when receiving funding through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs.
Read the note
How to meet FEMA’s cost-effectiveness criteria
There are two ways to comply with FEMA’s cost-effectiveness requirements.
1. Complete the full BCA
Users perform a full BCA by entering document values into the BCA Toolkit, which calculates the benefit-cost ratio.
The results are provided as an appendix to the grant project sub-application.
See details on how to complete the full BCA
Get the BCA Toolkit
FEMA has developed a BCA Toolkit to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of its support programs for pre-disaster and post-disaster mitigation.
Uses BCA Toolkit Cost-effectiveness guidelines for the Office of Management and Budget and FEMA-approved methods and tools to complete the benefit-cost analysis.
BCA Toolkit Privacy Statement
FEMA will not view, collect, or store any data you submit to the BCA Toolkit unless the file is part of a Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) or Public Assistance (PA) project application. All data you enter into the BCA Toolkit is stored in a Microsoft Excel file, not on the FEMA website or server.
The BCA Toolkit uses a standardized flyer application programming interface (API) for property address lookups. The Leaflet API may use your IP address for geographic location purposes, but does not collect any personal information. FEMA does not support any non-federal government entities or products.
Find resources and support
- Training: Introduction to Benefit-Cost Analysis (E/L0276)
Classroom courses consist of a student guide, instructor guide, and visuals. - Sources
Download Precalculated Benefits, BCA Guide, Ecosystem Services and other support documents. - News and notes
Review BCA-related updates, view release schedules, and access the BCA Toolkit release notes. - contact us
- BCA Toolkit Help
• Email questions to bchelpline@fema.dhs.gov
• Or call the free phone line 1-855-540-6744
9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET | Monday to Friday
Note that the BCA Helpline cannot evaluate or perform cost-benefit analyses. - Get support in performing or evaluating a BCA
For assistance in performing or evaluating a BCA, or for answers to eligibility or policy questions, please contact your State Disaster Reduction Officer.
- BCA Toolkit Help
We offer you some site tools and assistance to get the best result in daily life by taking advantage of simple experiences
