Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S., yet it has never been the cause of a federal disaster declaration. This is because heat events are not explicitly recognized as a cause for disaster declarations under the Stafford Act, which defines federal disaster response activities. This renders those impacted by extreme heat ineligible for the substantial federal funding provided to communities that receive the official disaster declaration. A congressional amendment to the Stafford Act, and related post-disaster guidance, explicitly identifying extreme heat as an eligible disaster, would create significant opportunities for planning, funding, and implementing long-term heat adaptation while prioritizing the most physically and socially vulnerable communities.