This fact sheet offers guidance for claimants impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire who want to reopen a claim.
If you have been affected by recent flooding or other post-fire effects in areas near Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire burn scar, you may be able to reopen a claim and pursue further compensation. If your request is granted, you will have 150 days to submit a Proof of Loss (POL) and supporting documents. The Director of the FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office has sole authority to approve reopening a claim and will assess the request based on “good cause.”
Reasons for Reopening a Claim
- When rebuilding a property damaged as result of the fire, your actual cost is greater than the compensation the Claims Office previously paid for the loss.
- The Claims Office amended a valuation policy for a loss for which you were previously paid and the change makes you eligible for more compensation.
- You experienced new losses due to flooding, mudflow, mold, debris flow or other cascading effects after your claim was closed and are requesting more compensation.
- You would like to request compensation for approved risk reduction activities to reduce the heightened risk to a property because of the fire to pre-fire levels.
- The Claims Office has closed the claim, and you have uncovered more losses you would like to pursue.
Note: Requests to reopen claims that concern diminution of property values after the sale of a property or risk reduction must be submitted by Nov. 14, 2025.
Request to Reopen Your Claim
In-person at the Santa Fe, Las Vegas, or Mora Claims Offices (visit fema.gov/disaster/current/hermits-peak/contact-us to see locations and hours of operation).
Via mail to the Claims Office
P.O. Box 1329
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Via email to the Claims Office or to the previously assigned claims navigator (FEMA-hermits-peak@FEMA.dhs.gov)
Written or Emailed Requests Do Not Require a Signature but Must Contain
Claimant’s name
Claim ID
“Good cause’ reason to reopen
Losses that require additional consideration; applicants should provide initial documentation to strengthen their requests to reopen.
After a Request to Reopen a Claim is Submitted
The claims navigator assigned to the claim will handle the initial processing. That includes entering basic data such as the date the request was received and that it is a request to reopen. Claims may be re- assigned to another navigator on a case-by-case basis.
The applicant has 150 days after a request to reopen a claim is approved to provide Proof of Loss (POL) with supporting documentation.
The law requires a claim to be completed in 180 days, so the applicant is encouraged to deliver the POL as quickly as possible to avoid unforeseen delays that could make it difficult for the Claims Office to process the claim before that deadline.
If the request to reopen is denied, the claimant will receive a notice that will explain the reason for the denial and the claimant will have the opportunity to revise the request and resubmit.
Anyone impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding is encouraged to start a claim with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office if they have not already. The deadline to submit a Notice of Loss and start your claim process is now Dec. 20, 2024.
For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice.