COMMUNITY NEWS
Federal Aid for Fire Victims A Presidential disaster declaration clears the way for immediate aid for CZU Lightning Complex Fire survivors. As a result of President Trump’s major disaster declaration, both Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration are offering disaster assistance to Santa Cruz County survivors as a result of the wildfires that began on Aug. 14. California businesses and residents who suffered damage or losses from the wildfires must register for disaster assistance. FEMA Process EMA has programs that may provide some financial assistance for eligible survivors. The aid may include assistance for housing and other disaster-related needs such as child care, medical and dental expenses. First, if you have not already done so, contact your insurance company and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage you have suffered. You do not have to wait to start cleaning up, but be sure to take photographs or video of the damage and keep all receipts for repair work. Applicants will be asked for the following information: • Address of the damaged primary dwelling • Current mailing address • Current telephone number • Social Security number • Insurance information • Total household annual income • Routing and account number for checking or savings account (this
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allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into a bank account) • A description of disaster-caused damage and losses To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA app on your smartphone or tablet, or by calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Spanish speaking survivors can go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/es. The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through data-sharing efforts among federal, tribal, state, local and private sector partners. Examples of assistance that can be provided include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover. Federal funding is also available to the state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofits on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures by wildfire in Santa Cruz County. Willie G. Nunn is the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the
assessments are fully completed. FEMA is also offering aid to six more counties with wildfires: Lake, Napa, San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo. Lost Wages EMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved California for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow California to provide $300 per week — on top of their regular unemployment benefit — to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Gov. Gavin Newsom to implement a system to make this funding available to California residents. On Aug. 8, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial aid to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 21, the state of California agreed to administer a lost wages program for citizens unemployed due to COVID-19. California is the 17th state to be approved for this aid program. To learn more about the lost wages supplemental payment, visit: https://www.fema.gov/ fact-sheet/fema-lost-wages-supplementalpayment-assistance Firefighting Assistance he Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California in combating the CZU Lightning Complex fires in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. On Aug. 20, the state requested a “Fire Management Assistance Grant” for the
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Examples of assistance that can be provided include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.
CZU Lightning Complex. At the time, the fire threatened approximately 8,593 homes in the communities of San Lorenzo Valley, China Creek, Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon, Felton, Zayante, and Scotts Valley. The fire also threatened critical resources and infrastructure, including communications, transportation, power and gas distribution infrastructure; public schools; juvenile and adult detention centers; and area fire stations. The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 20, as the fire threatened to become a major incident. These grants provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. Eligible costs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire. n For details, visit fema.gov/assistance/ public/fire-management-assistance.
Where’s My Ballot?
he Secretary of State’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tracking tool is now available to voters in all 58 California counties. All California voters can now sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive automated notifications about their vote-by-mail ballots by email, text, or voice call. “With every active, registered voter receiving a vote-by-mail ballot this fall, ballot tracking will be a critical part of our election planning as we continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Voters and elections officials’ ability to track ballots through the USPS is important for transparency, accountability, and voter confidence.” To promote the tool, the Secretary of State’s office sent an email Tuesday about
the new tool to all Californians who provided an email when they registered to vote. Voters who sign up for “Where’s My Ballot?” will receive automatic updates when the county elections office: • Mailed the voter’s ballot. • Received the voter’s ballot. • Counted the voter’s ballot. • Has any issues with the voter’s ballot. Voters who sign up for “Where’s My Ballot?” will also receive communications from their county elections office about election deadlines and polling place changes. n
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 1st 2020 / 7
