If your home was damaged by the South Fork and Salt Fires and floods, but you can safely live in it, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. This assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters.
You may qualify for FEMA Clean and Sanitize Assistance if you meet the following criteria:
- Your fire- or flood-damaged primary residence is in Lincoln or Otero County or on Mescalero Apache Tribal land.
- A FEMA inspection has verified your home has disaster damage. The inspection noted that cleanup actions are needed or have already been undertaken.
- If you have already cleaned up, save your receipts for supplies, materials or paid help.
- The damage is not covered by your insurance.
- FEMA has determined your damaged home is safe to occupy.
New Mexico residents who are eligible for FEMA Clean and Sanitize Assistance may also be eligible for additional forms of federal assistance. Clean and Sanitize Assistance is intended to ensure minimal damage to the home is addressed in a timely manner to prevent additional losses and potential health and safety concerns.
Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
To be eligible for any FEMA Individual Assistance program, you must apply to FEMA. There are four ways to apply:
- Go online to disasterassistance.gov/
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Roswell. For location and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, visit youtube.com/watch= WZGpWI2RCNw.