LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County residents who sustained damage to their primary homes, vehicles, businesses and personal property as a result of the Sulphur fire may apply for Individual Disaster Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA wants people to know they are deploying more staff to the field, but you don’t have to wait to see a FEMA person to register for assistance.

The most efficient way to start the federal assistance process is to register online. Their telephone registration is also an option that will likely require less wait time.

Individuals with access to the Internet may register online by going to www.disasterassistance.gov or they may call 1-800-621-3362. Operators can receive calls in English, Spanish and other languages and by video relay service. Individuals using a TTY may call 1-800-462-7585.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

- Social Security number;
- Address of the damaged primary residence;
- Description of the damage;
- Information about insurance coverage;
- A current contact telephone number;
- An address where they can receive mail;
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Disaster assistance grants may help pay for temporary housing to include rental and lodging expense, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other serious disaster-related expenses.

Disaster grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, welfare assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) may be available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Low-interest disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

Economic Injury disaster loans are available to businesses and private nonprofits to assist with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster.