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Deadlines to apply for federal wildfire assistance are approaching. Here's how to apply
Residents meet with FEMA officials on Jan. 14 in Pasadena.
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AFP via Getty Images
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Topline:
Deadlines are approaching for those affected by January's L.A. wildfires to apply for federal disaster recovery help. Here's how you can file for assistance.
FEMA individual assistance: March 10 deadline to apply. You can apply online at FEMA's Disaster Assistance website, use the FEMA mobile app, call FEMA's helpline at (800) 621-3362 or apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center near you. Use this locator to find the closest one.
If your home is insured, you may not be eligible for certain types of relief like housing assistance or personal property that your home insurance already covers. Or, you may still be eligible but need to submit additional documentation. You can do that using the "Correspondence" tab at the top of your account homepage.
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Small Business Administration disaster loan: March 10 deadline to apply. The SBA says these loans may be available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in areas covered by a disaster declaration. Apply here.
You'll want to do some prep before you apply for this loan — it's going to ask you for a good bit of info. Here's what you'll want to have handy:
- Total financial assets including cash, bank accounts and retirement accounts.
- The pre-disaster value of your home and personal property like furniture, appliances and vehicles.
- The value of any other real estate you own.
- The remaining balance on your mortgage for your primary residence and any other mortgages you have.
- Yearly homeownership costs like estate taxes, the cost of your homeowners insurance or any HOA or condo/townhome fees you pay.
Debris removal program right-of-entry form: March 31 deadline to fill out this form, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal and state agencies to access your property so they can remove ash and fire debris. You can complete the form online, download the form to complete and return via drop-off, email or post (info on each of these return options is at the bottom of the form). Or you can pick up a form and fill it out in person at a Disaster Recovery Center. Here's that locator again.
Disaster unemployment assistance: If you were unable to work due to the fires, you can apply online for unemployment assistance.
FEMA public assistance: March 9 deadline. Local governments and private nonprofit organizations can submit a request for public assistance at the FEMA Grants Portal. You'll have to register your organization.
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