It’s too soon to tally the price tag from this winter’s deadly and destructive storms across California.
Still, with a major disaster declaration by President Joe Biden, federal resources are now available for residents in Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Merced, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties.
Biden is expected to personally assess the damage on Thursday in a visit that could lead to more counties being included in the major disaster declaration.
For those affected by the storms, there are resources to help. But, historically, navigating federal assistance after a disaster can be stressful and emotionally taxing in an already difficult time.
CapRadio’s Vicki Gonzalez spoke with two experts to help listeners navigate how disaster response works on the federal level. Renee Bafalis with the Federal Emergency Management Agency explained the declaration process and how residents can apply for lifeline emergency services. Burl Kelton is with the Small Business Association and explained the resources available for businesses, including loan assistance.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How do President Biden’s disaster declarations differ in terms of the resources that are available?
Renee Bafalis: The original declaration that you spoke of on [Jan. 8], that frees up funds for government officials to be able to deal with emergency measures. Then [the major disaster declaration] on the 14th allowed for public assistance, which is a government to government assistance [program], to also go into effect for three counties. And then last night, three additional counties were added to that process.
A total of six counties are now included in Biden’s major disaster declaration. Could you walk us through how that works?
Bafalis: Well, what happens initially is once a disaster occurs, the state and the local officials will do damage assessments to determine the capacity of the damages, then determine whether or not it's beyond the capacity of the state to handle. If that does prove to be [the case], then that information is referred on to FEMA and then they refer it onto the White House to determine to move forward with the federal declaration. That is what has happened in this situation. Additional counties have also been added to that list, they've requested assistance, but those counties are continuing to do disaster damage assessments in those areas. So as those assessments are completed and the state makes a determination whether they need to be forwarded on, then they would possibly be added to that declaration as well.
If you're not included in these six counties, is there the possibility that more counties will be incorporated?
Bafalis: Yes. As those damage assessments are completed in those counties and provided to us, then we'll make the determination as to whether or not we move forward. There are many more counties that are also in that process.
Will there be tools to help people access resources made available in response to this series of storms?
Bafalis: Yes, we have disaster recovery centers that will be opening in the coming days for folks within the communities that are affected. We want to make sure that those centers are within those communities so that folks don't have to travel very far. If they've lost transportation or a way to get there, we want to make sure that they're accessible.
This may be hard to answer, but when these centers are up and running, how long do you anticipate they'll be open?
Bafalis: They will be open as long as the need is out there. We have no end date. We don't even have an opening date yet. So we don't have any date set. But we will be here as long as the need persists.
Are there agencies or teams that are helping people fill out these applications?
Bafalis: Yes, we will have staff available at those facilities, but we also have disaster survivor assistance teams that are in several communities now throughout the state working at different sites, also going door to door very soon.
We also ask if you're in any of the six communities that have already been declared, you need to register with FEMA. The first step I want to stress is, if you have insurance, please contact your insurance companies. We cannot duplicate what your insurance companies may cover. However, if you are underinsured or uninsured, we will probably be able to assist you in some way.
We want you to register with us. You can do that in a couple of ways: You can call our 1-800-621-3362 phone number or go on to disasterassistance.gov and register that way. And again, our disaster survivor assistance teams will be in the communities and able to register you on site.
What are some of the documents, receipts or images a resident should gather?
Bafalis: We really stress that if you are making any repairs, please keep your receipts, keep your photos, provide whatever information you have to us when you register. We also will have an inspector come out to your property to document the damages. And if at that time you have additional information, say you've spoken with a contractor and you have an estimate, please provide that as well. The more information we have, the more able we are to serve you.
What if there are language barriers?
Bafalis: We have translations. We also have translators, operators on site at our recovery centers. Our disaster survivor assistance teams also have bilingual folks, and our operators have multi-faceted language capability.
Given that FEMA has been offering this type of assistance during disasters going back decades, what are some of the common mistakes people make?
Bafalis: It's not so much mistakes, it's just that sometimes when you're filling out an application, you're not thorough enough, maybe we need more information from you. Or maybe, again, if you have insurance, we have to wait until your insurance comes through, we can't duplicate what your insurance may cover.
Many times you will receive information from us saying that maybe you have been temporarily denied assistance, but that is not the end of the road. That is really the beginning of the process. Please make sure if you receive a letter like that, you read it thoroughly to find out what the reasons are, because it may just be that you've transposed some numbers. Maybe your Social Security number is wrong, maybe the information is incomplete. We need more information. Or again, we're waiting for your insurance to come through.
How does FEMA help local agencies and state agencies help residents with other resources and assistance?
Bafalis: We work very closely with nonprofit agencies, and so we have liaisons who work with them so that if for some reason we are unable to assist, we can refer folks to those agencies for assistance. Also, the counties in the state have facilities and operations available to folks as well. And we are very aware of those and make sure that we refer people to them as well.
Let's now move to Burl Kelton with the Small Business Administration. What is the SBA's role in disaster relief?
Burl Kelton: The role of the SBA is parallel to FEMA. Actually, the SBA has been around a long time serving local small businesses all over the country. But the Stafford Act included the disaster assistance side with FEMA, and the purpose of the SBA disaster program is for long-term recovery.
So we're looking at a larger amount of money available for folks that are eligible, and service over a longer period of time. We also work with businesses very closely in their recovery. And basically, it's kind of like FEMA passes the baton once folks are in a safe, secure, sanitary place. It began the recovery.
What are the first steps you recommend for businesses to navigate what is right for them and what will fit their needs at this time?
Kelton: It's really critical that each individual register with FEMA first and then apply to SBA when they make an application to SBA. It's no obligation, no cost. So what we recommend is that they apply, find out what they're eligible for, and then it's up to them to decide what they want to do from there.
Is insurance required to receive assistance? And should a business file a claim first?
Kelton: If you have insurance, you'll need to find out the information. You do not have to have all that settled before we can actually help you and begin distributing whatever [funds are available]. But it is very important to make that contact with your insurance, find out what your situation is and let us know. The application is a one time thing, but we continue to work with the applicant during several months of the recovery and going through the process. It's really important to get started because there's a 60-day window for application from the date of the declaration, which in this case is March 16th.
Renee, did you want to chime in?
Renee Bafalis: I just wanted to say, if you are an individual homeowner or a renter and you are referred to SBA, which the majority of people are. Please make sure you complete that application, because if you don't complete the application, it stops the process right there. If you complete the application and for some reason you are not eligible for that SBA loan, they will refer you back to FEMA for a second look. So please make sure you complete that process.
When Burl was talking about a 60 day window, does that apply to FEMA as well?
Bafalis: It does.
In addition to business loans, SBA offers a variety of resources. What are some of the big things that can cause delays in receiving relief?
Kelton: I think probably some of the biggest is not staying in contact with the agents. In other words, if FEMA is offering you a certain amount of recovery funds, but they don't know how to get a hold of you and you lose right there. We need to get the information of how to contact you and keep in touch with you and then make sure that the financial information you provide shows that you can take on this additional debt and still maintain your manner of living. So that's important both for businesses in operation and homeowners and renters in terms of looking at their recovery and their eligibility.
Bafalis: Now, if I could just say on FEMA's individual assistance side, our funds are grants. We do not have to be paid back. So they're an initial jump-start to your recovery process, and they can include things such as rental assistance, if indeed your insurance doesn't pay for that lodging. So if you had to stay at hotels, keep your receipts, make sure you've documented everything: home repairs, personal property losses, damage to vehicles, child care, medical and dental expenses, maybe funeral expenses, those types of things.
