FEMA and the State of California have increased disaster assistance access and eligibility for residents with disabilities, access and functional needs affected by the January wildfires.
FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program was updated last year so people who need additional help, including older adults and those who do not speak English as their primary language, receive it.
A variety of assistance types are offered through FEMA including help for under-insured Californians. They may be eligible to receive help through the federal Housing Assistance maximum and Other Needs Assistance maximum to cover disaster repair costs not reimbursed by insurance.
This reform provides people with disabilities coverage for items like grab bars, ramps and other modifications.
Californians with disabilities can also now use FEMA funding to make a home damaged by a federally declared disaster more accessible than it was before the disaster.
The updates are a vital change for people with disabilities who often were on their own in replacing expensive accessibility features. They are no longer held financially accountable in a way that is separate from their non-disabled counterparts, according to Vance Taylor, Cal OES’ Chief of Access and Functional Needs.
“This is great,” Taylor said. “This is the sort of thing that I refer to as the humanization of assistance programs.”
Other assistance includes, Serious Needs Assistance (SNA), which covers water, food, first aid, infant formula, hygiene items and other emergency supplies for people who are displaced, need shelter or have other emergency needs.
SNA helps people with disabilities and those facing greater health risks gain access to items, when disability-related supplies are delayed.
Displacement Assistance is also available for those who cannot return to their homes. The up-front funds can help people with disabilities pay for accessible accommodations, like Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible housing.
For more information, visit: www.disasterassistance.gov