MONTEREY COUNTY — Renters and homeowners in Monterey County and 13 other counties impacted by the February and March storms and flooding will now have more time to sign up for federal disaster assistance.
FEMA’s registration period, due to end July 20, has been extended to Sept. 1.
Along with Monterey, the eligible counties are Butte, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Nevada, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne.
The extended registration deadline will provide more time for survivors living in remote areas as well as for residents in counties recently designated for federal disaster assistance.
President Biden declared the federal disaster April 3. It covers damage caused by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides between Feb. 21 and July 10, 2023.
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program may provide disaster assistance for eligible costs of home repairs, rental assistance for temporary housing, essential personal property, disaster-related medical and dental care, funeral expenses, transportation and childcare.
There are three ways to apply for FEMA: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362.
If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators are available from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. PT daily. Press 2 for Spanish, or Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. For an accessible video on how to apply, go to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.
If FEMA refers you to SBA, you must apply with SBA before you can be considered for certain FEMA grant money, such as reimbursement for damaged personal property, transportation assistance and Group Flood Insurance Policy (GFIP).
Residents are not obligated to take out a loan if they are approved, but a failure to return the application may disqualify them from possible FEMA assistance. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.
For the latest information on California’s recovery from the severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4699.
