Deadline approaching for wildfire survivors to apply for disaster assistance

(KION) Wildfire survivors in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties may be eligible for disaster assistance through FEMA, but the deadline for applications is approaching.

Survivors can still apply for grants or low-interest disaster loans, but the deadline is Dec. 11.

The awards offered by FEMA can help those who are eligible pay for rent, home repair, vehicle repair or replacement, funeral expenses or other disaster-related costs.

Before registering with FEMA, wildfire survivors should contact their insurers to file a claim for the damage. FEMA said anyone with insurance should still register with them, even if they do not know if they will be eligible yet because the agency may be able to help with costs insurance does not cover.

To register, visit the disaster assistance website here, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. To register, you will be required to provide your social security number, insurance policy information, address of the damaged structure, a description of the damage or losses, a current mailing address, a phone number, the total household annual income and the routing and account number of your checking or savings account for the transfer of funds.

After registering, you can create your own account to check the status of the application, view messages, update information and upload documents.

The deadline to apply for a disaster loan from the Small Business Administration is also Dec. 11.