Federal Grans, Loans Available To Those Affected By January Storms

BERKELEY, CA — Homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses in Berkeley can apply for federal funding to help pay for essential repairs or serious disaster-related needs resulting from the January storms that were not covered by insurance, the city announced last week.

Serious disaster-related needs include medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare, and moving and storage expenses, a news release issued Friday, Feb. 10, by the city of Berkeley said.

These FEMA grants apply to those eligible Berkeleyans who had storm-related property damage between Dec. 31, 2022 to Jan. 30, 2023. Those who apply will be considered for two types of grants. The first is for up to $37,900 for property damages to a primary residence and the second is for up to $37,900 for other needs, such as a hotel stay while displaced, funds to replace damaged items, and increases to childcare or medical expenses during the disaster, the city said

Loans for storm relief are also available to homeowners, renters, and businesses through the federal Small Business Administration. These loans can be paid off over thirty years and can have interest limits as low as 4 percent, depending on access to alternative credit.

The loan types include up to $200,000 to repair or replace a primary residence for homeowners, up to $40,000 to replace or repair personal property, like clothing, furniture, cars, or appliances for both homeowners and renters and up to $2 million for businesses to help meet financial obligations or operating expenses that would have been avoided had the disaster not happened.

People can also apply for the FEMA grants online, by phone (1-800-621-3362), via app, or at a disaster assistance center. To apply for a Small Business Administration loan, see their disaster loan website, their application portal, and a factsheet about their loan products.

Applicants must meet eligibility guidelines including:

• You or someone who lives with you is a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. If you have questions about FEMA’s citizenship and immigration requirements, please visit their website.
• You pass FEMA’s identity and occupancy verification if it applies to you.
• You have no insurance –or– have filed an insurance claim, but it does not cover all of your losses.
• You have serious needs or expenses due to losses in a Presidentially declared disaster area.

Alameda County was recently added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding. The declaration allows FEMA and the Small Business Administration to provide direct support to individuals, households, nonprofits, and businesses in Alameda County and other counties in California.

"Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare, and moving and storage expenses," the city said.

Applying does not guarantee that assistance will be awarded, the city said.