Assistance coming for Sand fire victims

Victims of the Sand fire will find some aid available to them right away and some coming soon, but it could be a while before much state and federal aid is available – if ever, officials said this week as firefighters gained the upper hand on the blaze that claimed 18 homes.

Although acting Gov. Tom Torlakson proclaimed a state of emergency for the area on the California level Tuesday, most state assistance will have to await a

damage assessment from the Office of Emergency Services.

That assessment will not only determine any state assistance available, but also whether Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will be offered.

At this point, the state emergency declaration grants only a fee waiver for replacing documents such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.

“We are working with county and local authorities to assess the needs on the ground,” said Shawn Boyd, a spokesman for the governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management is scheduled to open a local assistance center at the William S. Hart Park Hart Hall on Aug. 5 in coordination with the state Office of Emergency Services and the city of Santa Clarita.

“The (local assistance center) will provide a single place for people impacted by the Sand fire to receive help and get them on the road to recovery,” said Jeff Reeb, director of the county’s office of emergency management.

It will serve as a onestop source of information, including how to replace records lost in the fire, initiate building permit requests and apply for assistance, he said. The center will be open Aug. 5 (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.), Aug. 6 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Aug. 8 (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Insurance claims

In the meantime, individuals and businesses should report any damage to an insurance agent as well as to the national resource and information hotline at 211, Boyd said.

There is no average time frame for an individual to receive money from his or her insurance company, he said.

Representatives for Allstate, State Farm and Farmers insurance are currently located at Hart High School – one of the evacuation centers – to answer any questions a person may have.

Some insurance policies cover temporary housing costs incurred as a result of an evacuation or the loss of a home. It typically comes with a homeowner’s insurance policy, but not always.

Receipts from the temporary housing have to be saved, submitted to an insurance agent and reviewed before reimbursement is issued.

“If they have any doubt or questions on their policy, they should take the time to ask,” said Carrie Bonney, a Farmers spokeswoman, who noted that people should call their agent.

Filing a claim for damage or loss can also be done over the phone or online for various insurance companies. A claims adjuster is generally assigned to an individual within 24-48 hours and the adjuster goes to the home to conduct an assessment.

Special adjusters are assigned to individuals who have lost a home.

“It could take a year or more to get back into their home,” Bonney said, noting it all depends on the amount of damage and how quickly a contractor is hired.

Financial Assistance

For a complete loss of the home, Bonney advised people to make a list of lost contents if they don’t already have a video or photos of what is inside the home. The compiled list may become more complete by looking in the background of old photos, Bonney said.

People tend to leave things off their list because they forget about them, she said.

If a person needs help setting up temporary housing, insurance companies like State Farm will direct a customer to the best resources.

“Depending on the extent of the damage, we’re here to help them through this process,” said Donna Blazewich, State Farm spokeswoman.

If insurance does not cover the full cost, federal loans are available through the Small Business Administration.

Home disaster loans can be provided to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. Loan regulations limit home loans to $200,000 for real estate damage and $40,000 for personal property.

Federal grants cannot be released unless the U.S. president makes a declaration of a major disaster or emergency, said John Hamill, a spokesman with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Torlakson’s state of emergency was a prerequisite to the president’s declaration.

Even if federal funding became available, individuals may not see any money for a long time.

A Canyon Country man was still waiting for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds two years after the Buckweed fire destroyed his home in 2007.

FEMA does not pay for anything covered by insurance.