Burned cars and homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire are pictured in Altadena, California, on Jan. 9, 2025.
Zoe Meyers | AFP | Getty Images
How to know if you qualify
To qualify for serious needs assistance, you need to complete a FEMA application, either by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362.
Other criteria include:
- FEMA must also be able to confirm your identity.
- You, or someone in your home, must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or a qualified non-citizen.
- You must live most of the year in the area affected by wildfires.
- FEMA must confirm you have suffered disaster damage either through a home inspection or documentation.
- Your application must indicate you have been displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs.
- You must apply while serious needs assistance is available.
To be sure, everyone who applies does not necessarily receive the same size payment.
“Your unique situation determines the amount of assistance you may receive,” FEMA states on its website.
Other federal aid available
Victims of the wildfires may also qualify for other federal aid.
Another FEMA program, displacement assistance, may help cover costs for up to two weeks of housing needs if your home is uninhabitable following a disaster. That money may be used to cover costs to stay in a hotel, with friends and family or elsewhere.
Additionally, federal disaster assistance may also help cover temporary housing, grants for home repairs and essential household items, unemployment payments, low-interest loans for residential losses not covered by insurance and crisis counseling.
Disaster victims should be wary of potential scams promoting access to cash payments from FEMA, the agency warns.
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