Those who rode out the Carr and other major wildfires may be eligible for significant federal financial help, but time is running out.
Applicants for emergency disaster grants have until Oct. 3 to get in their paperwork.
Chelsea Irvine, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Small Business Administration said don’t let the source of the funds fool you.
“We offer up to $200,000 to repair or replace a primary residence, and for homeowners and renters, we offer up to $40,000 to replace all the personal property inside the house and disaster damaged vehicles,” said Irvine.
The loans are available at a subsidized interest rate of 1.93 percent.
Irvine said the funds are separate from other assistance available to both businesses and nonprofit entities. Businesses can qualify for as much as $2 million to offset retail sales or other business lost due to a federally recognized disaster.
She said there is no obligation to accept the help even if you are approved.
“The important thing to know is, you can apply tomorrow and just say, ‘Hey, I don’t know if I even want this loan.” But that unlocks a six month window for you to decide what you’re going to do, see how insurance shakes out, you just have to get that application in by Oct. 3rd to enable you to have that choice,” she said.
You can find an application online at the U.S. Small Business Association's website, or seek help from the Federal Emergency Mangament Agency. A total of $5.7 million in assistance has been awarded to 426 different fire victims in Lake and Shasta Counties.