Wildfire Assistance Tops $13.6 Million

Federal and state assistance has topped $13.6 million in 2008 for residents who suffered in the November wildfires in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties.

Assistance is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) because of the presidential major disaster declaration. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the California Department of Social Services also are providing assistance.

As of the end of 2008, SBA had approved 84 loans for a total of $11,366,800.

FEMA grants are much more limited in scope, but do not have to be repaid like SBA loans. Also, they are not taxed as income nor do they affect Social Security benefits. So far, FEMA has approved $2,285,103 for 352 households.

For people who still have unmet needs after receiving the maximum FEMA grant ($30,300), a referral will be made to the California Department of Social Services for consideration of the State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP), where up to an additional $10,00 grant may be available.

"California's supplemental grant program has provided $130,000 to 13 households as of the year end," said Tom Maruyama, deputy state coordinating officer.

So far, 2,251 persons have registered with FEMA for assistance, which automatically registers them with Cal EMA. Many are insured and not immediately eligible for FEMA assistance until after they have completed settlement with their insuror. If at that point they have uninsured losses, they can ask FEMA to reconsider their application.

To be considered for FEMA assistance, including uninsured losses, persons must be registered with FEMA before the registration deadline for this disaster, Jan. 20. They can register at FEMA's toll-free line, 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA), TTY 1-800-621-7585. Online registration and application status also is available at the new federal disaster registration Web site, www.disasterassistance.gov. That multi-agency site also can be reached through its link at www.fema.gov.