August 27, 2023 - In an effort to assist California communities to repair and rebuild following severe storms in February and March, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), along with local, state and federal partners are reminding Californians they only have a few days left to register for federal disaster assistance.

The deadline to apply for assistance is Saturday, September 1. 

Disaster assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in the disaster-designated counties of Butte, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Nevada, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.

Federal assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for:

• Temporary housing for those displaced from their disaster-damaged primary homes.
• Essential repairs to owner-occupied primary homes including structural components such as foundation, exterior walls and roof, and interior areas such as ceiling and floors. To learn more about what happens after registering, click HERE.
• Replacement of personal property including specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances and vehicle repair or replacement.
• Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance including medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses, and funeral and transportation expenses.

Flood survivors should register for assistance even if they have insurance. Federal assistance cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

Applying for disaster assistance is a two-step process that ensures consideration for all federal programs and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans. First, register for federal assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov. Then complete and return the SBA loan application, if referred to SBA.

State departments may also be offering additional assistance, for example those who are eligible can apply with Cal Fresh for food benefits and with Employment Development Department (EDD) for unemployment assistance.

Survivors with losses from the February and March storms may apply for federal assistance by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA mobile app. Applicants can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give your number for that service. Eligible Californians can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center for help in person, find one near you here.

For additional information regarding assistance, click the links below:

What Individuals Can Expect After Registering for Federal Assistance

What Business Owners Can Expect After Registering for Federal Assistance

Be Alert to Fraud After a Disaster 
Source: Cal OES