SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group met with federal officials at the Salvation Army in Spokane Thursday night. The meeting focused on FEMA money made available for people affected by the wildfires in Medical Lake and Elk last August.
More than 50 people in the Medical Lake and Elk areas have already applied for FEMA funding just days after the announcement.
"My top line message will always be please register," Lance Davis said.
Davis is the federal coordinating officer for FEMA. FEMA funding helps provide federal money to those impacted by natural disasters. "We're focused on here to give whatever support we can and support all the local efforts have been going on," Davis said.
President Joe Biden declared the wildfires major disasters on Tuesday, opening up the road for federal aid. FEMA funding focuses on providing help for those who lost their homes.
"Everybody's excited," Richard Ziehnert said. "They're hoping that they get more help, because most of them have been on their own."
Ziehnert's the Vice Chair for the Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group, which focuses on helping victims of both wildfires.
"Now, instead of emergency needs, we can start looking at long term improvement. And that's where FEMA can come in," Ziehnert said.
Davis says there's no limit to the amount of FEMA funding. People just have 60 days to register and can receive up to $42,500 for damages.
"It is based on need, and it's based on real damages," Davis said. "And so, anyway, there's the opportunity and the potential of getting that level of reimbursement."
Officials want people to be aware if they've already received aid from other entities, they can't double dip for the same re-imbursement. But that shouldn't stop people from registering.
"If there are things that have not been covered, that's where we come in and augment and can give that additional assistance up to again $42,500," Davis said.
Even though it's taken six months to get federal funding approval, Zienhert keeps a positive outlook.
"It's late, but at least they've come in. It's spring. And people need some enthusiasm," Ziehnert said.
Davis says federal officials will connect with applicants in the next couple of days. Once that's done, eligible people could receive a check within two weeks.
If you're interested in applying for FEMA funding, click here.
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