Burned cars and homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire are pictured in Altadena, California, on Jan. 9, 2025.
Zoe Meyers | AFP | Getty Images
How to Determine Eligibility for Assistance
To see if you qualify for serious needs assistance, complete a FEMA application by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362.
Other criteria include:
- FEMA must confirm your identity.
- You or someone in your household must be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
- You must reside in the wildfire-affected area for most of the year.
- FEMA must verify your disaster-related damages through inspection or documentation.
- Your application should indicate displacement, shelter needs, or other emergency expenses.
- You must apply during the availability of serious needs assistance.
Not all applicants receive the same level of aid. “The amount of assistance you receive depends on your individual circumstances,” states FEMA on its website.
Other Forms of Federal Aid
Wildfire victims may be eligible for additional federal aid.
Displacement assistance from FEMA can cover housing costs for up to two weeks if your home is uninhabitable post-disaster. This aid can be used for temporary lodging in a hotel, with relatives, or elsewhere.
Furthermore, federal disaster assistance may include temporary housing, repair grants, essential household items, unemployment benefits, low-interest residential loss loans, and crisis counseling.
Be cautious of potential scams that promise cash payments from FEMA, warns the agency.