How to apply for the economic assistance for those affected by the winter storms in California
President Biden approved disaster relief for three counties in California battered by flooding and mudslides from the winter storms. Here’s how to apply…
Severe winter storms have ravaged California since late December causing flooding, landslides and mudslides affecting homeowners and businesses across the state. The extreme damage wrought has prompted President Joe Biden to approve a major disaster declaration in the Golden State.
The move frees up Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid to those who have been affected in the counties of Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz. The funds available will be used to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the winter storms since 27 December 2022.
The assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover. Funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Which Californians are eligible for winter storm economic assistance?
United States citizens, non-citizen nationals or qualified non-citizens that are eligible for assistance must verify their identity with a valid Social Security number. FEMA will check that the dwelling is the primary residence of applicants requesting emergency aid.
The assistance funds will not duplicate damage covered by the applicants own existing insurance coverage for their home or business. But FEMA may provide additional coverage if the settlement from the insurance policy, or policies, was not sufficient enough to cover expenses.
FEMA states that before the agency will consider eligibility for assistance, “insured applicants must provide documentation that identifies their insurance settlements or benefits, for disaster-caused damage covered by a policy.”
How to apply for California winter storm economic assistance
In order to apply for federal economic assistance for damage incurred due to the winter storms in California you can begin by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. If you opt to do it online, you will first need to enter your ZIP code to see if your region qualifies.
For those applying for both home and business disaster assistance you will only need to complete one registration to cover both. Those applying for multiple disasters must complete a registration for each disaster.
Before starting the application process you will want to have the following documents on hand:
- Social Security number (SSN) or the SSN of a child in the house who is a US Citizen, Non-Citizen National or Qualified Alien
- Annual household income
- Contact information including phone number, damaged home address, mailing address and an email address. (Without an email address you will not be able to review your registration status online but will be required to contact FEMA for any updates to your registration.)
- Insurance information including coverage, insurance company name, etc.
- Bank account information for the account where the money will be deposited if you are granted financial assistance.
You must agree to the federal Privacy Act and an information disclosure. This is necessary so that the federal government can use your information to determine eligibility for certain programs.
You will need to list what damages (a vehicle, business assistance, funeral assistance or child care) for which you are applying.
FEMA Helpline services are available 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 pm ET.