DSA crews primarily focus on helping underrepresented populations that may be hard to reach by traditional channels. Their mission is to assess and report critical and emerging disaster needs to FEMA leadership for decision-making purposes. Their essential duties include:

• Provide on-site guidance to survivors about the application process, and an overview of FEMA disaster assistance.
• Review survivors’ applications, providing basic information about application status and other eligible assistance, and collecting new information or documents for case files.
• Engage disaster survivors and local officials in identifying immediate unmet needs for a quick resolution via FEMA and/or its partners including voluntary agencies.
• Support community outreach and partnerships with the local, state, tribal or territorial emergency managers, disability partners, private sector, voluntary agencies and faith- and community-based organizations to foster a culture of strengthened alliances to support the delivery of inclusive, equitable services to survivors.