Residents of San Bernardino County are now eligible for federal disaster assistance through FEMA.
In addition, Alpine, Fresno, Kings, Merced, Sierra and Trinity counties are now eligible for Public Assistance, which reimburses local and state government agencies for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and restoration of disaster damaged public facilities and infrastructure.
The additional counties were added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding that began on Feb. 21. San Bernardino County joins the previously designated counties of Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne in being eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.
Survivors in these counties may be eligible for grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such replacement of damaged personal property and expenses for transportation, childcare, moving and storage.
To apply for this assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or download 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 10 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 FEMA your number for that service. The deadline to apply is June 5, 2023.
Houses of worship and certain nonprofit organizations may also be eligible. The PA Program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process. The following counties were included in the initial declaration for Public Assistance: Calaveras, Los Angeles, Monterey and Tulare.
The federal cost share for Public Assistance projects is 75 percent with 25 percent covered by the state or local governments. Applicants with questions about making a Request for Public Assistance should email: DisasterRecovery@CalOES.CA.gov.