Redwood City – San Mateo County residents with losses from the storms that began in late December 2022 have one day left to get in-person help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A Disaster Recovery Center at the San Mateo County Event Center will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The center is open today until 5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Thursday, March 16, 2023.
(Important note: San Mateo County residents may apply for losses solely from the storms that began Dec. 27, 2022 and ended January 31, 2023, not losses resulting from this week’s severe weather.)
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.
If you go to the Event Center: Enter at the west parking entrance, 2495 S. Delaware St., San Mateo, 94403. (Google map link) Disaster recovery staff are located in Cypress Hall.
Specialists are available to answer questions and assist with the application process.
Specialists can also direct you to operators who can communicate in English, Spanish and many other languages by request. The centers also offer printed material in multiple languages.
Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available at the recovery center to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans. These loans are offered to homeowners and renters, business owners and private nonprofits.
There are several ways that you can apply for FEMA assistance under the Individual Assistance program:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA mobile app
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
- For an accessible video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
If you have insurance, first file a claim with your insurance provider. FEMA provides assistance to applicants for your uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.
Important note: San Mateo County residents may apply for losses solely from the storms that began Dec. 27, 2022 and ended January 31, 2023, not losses resulting from this week’s severe weather.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org