Survivors who applied for assistance from FEMA may also pursue a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost   of replacing lost or disaster-dam

aged personal property. Renters, as well as homeowners, may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, appliances and damaged vehicles. Uninsured and under-insured residents may also be eligible for a SBA low-interest disaster loan for the repair or replacement of a home up to $200,000. The loan balance may be reduced by their insurance settlement. You can apply, or check the status of your loan at SBA Disaster Loan Assistance.

To qualify for SBA you must have already applied to FEMA.

• Getting Help from SBA Fact Sheet

Employment Development Department

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of services to individuals and businesses impacted by disasters in California. These range from assistance for those who may have lost a job due to the disaster, to employers who are forced to shut down operations. Visit the EDD Disaster Related Services page for more information.

• Unemployment Assistance for 2017 Wildfires

Insurance Claims

• Contact your insurance agent, broker or insurance company as soon as you can to report how, when and where the damage occurred. Provide a general description of the damage.
• Prepare a list of damaged or lost items and provide receipts if possible. Consider photographing or videotaping the damage where it occurred for further documentation to support your claim. The California Department of Insurance has a helpful guide to get you started: Home Inventory Guide
• If possible, keep damaged items or portions of those items until the claims adjuster has visited your home. Do not throw away anything you plan to claim without discussing it with your adjuster first.
• Keep receipts for all additional expenses that you may incur such as lodging, repairs or other supplies.
• Make copies of all documents and pictures given to your claims adjuster or insurance company. Besides insurance, there are many questions related to taxes, expenses and determining just how you will recover from a personal financial point of view.
• Other helpful documents provided by the California Department of Insurance include the Residential Property Claims Guide and Don't Get Burned After a Disaster. For further insurance related questions, the Department of Insurance can be reached at 1-800-927-4357 (HELP)

NCO Fire Relief Fund

The North Coast Opportunities (NCO) Wildfire Relief Fund seeks to assist those facing hardship by providing direct monetary aid to people who have suffered loss as a result of the fires.

Relief will be disbursed in the form of cash grants. Grants will be awarded by committee determination and are intended to meet immediate needs for clothing, shelter, transportation, food, and/or home cleanup and repair. Grants will be given based on available funds. Those determined to have the greatest need will be given a higher priority in the process.

Any resident of Lake or Mendocino Counties is eligible to apply who, as a result of the 2017 wildfires, was:

• Displaced from his/her home
• Has suffered a loss to his/her home
• Has suffered a financial hardship because of the fire (loss of income/employment, vehicle, etc.)

Applications are available in English and Spanish at www.ncoinc.org, or at any NCO office.

For questions, please call the NCO Fire Information Line: (707) 467-3236 OR (707) 467-3200 ext. 236.