The Federal Emergency Managament Agency approved another $200,000 in disaster recovery funds over the weekend, bringing the total to $8.34 million for both the Valley and Butte fires, combined.
While FEMA inspection of registered claims stood at 98 percent complete as of Monday, the dollar amount could climb significantly. Deadline for Valley Fire victims to register for federal funds is more than a month away — Nov. 23 — and low interest loans issued through the Small Business Adminstration have yet to be tallied.
In addition, churches, nonprofits and state offices continue to deliver aid.
Employees and those self employed who lost work due to the Valley Fire can file claims through the state employment development department through Oct. 26 for disaster unemployment assistance.
Successful claimants can receive as much as $450 per week for up to 28 weeks. The granted amount covers workers who exhausted regular unemployment benefits, those unable to reach work during the fire and thus missing out on paychecks, anyone unable to work due to fire-related injury, newly hired personnel prevented from starting work by the fire and, of course, people working at businesses destroyed or damaged.
Assistance is available through this program for small business owners and the self employed, as well.
For details call 800-300-5616 (800-326-8937 for Spanish language) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon.
The federal government has also established a phone hotline for fire victims with disabilities at 916-381-0330.
FEMA has also equipped its Disaster Recovery Centers with captioned phones and tablets, as well as access to visual interpreters. Documents are also available in Braille.
FEMA will arrange home visits with those unable to travel to a DRC.
“It’s all about being inclusive every way we possibly can,” said FEMA external affairs specialist Steven Solomon.
