• New Mexico’s major disaster declaration has been amended to provide assistance for flooding, mudflows and debris flows for residents of Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel and Valencia counties. Residents who already applied for disaster assistance due to damage caused by the state’s ongoing wildfires do not need to reapply for flood, mudflow and/or debris flow damage. Instead, they just need to update their original FEMA application to include the flood, mudflow and/or debris damage.

• FEMA has approved the State of New Mexico’s request for a direct housing mission for residents affected by the wildfires. The counties approved for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance include Lincoln, Mora and San Not everyone will be eligible for the temporary housing program. FEMA is currently working with those residents who meet the criteria for eligibility.

• The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is August 4, 2022.

U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

• The S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are meant for more than just businesses. The SBA loan application holds many benefits for New Mexico residents who apply for federal assistance after the recent wildfires. Residents are encouraged to fill out an SBA application and submit it by Aug. 4, 2022.
• If you are referred to the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest disaster loan, you may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/ela/s/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800)

659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

MYTHS AND RUMORS

Rumor: Many New Mexico residents have been denied disaster assistance.

Fact: Some applications are pending or have been determined “ineligible” or “no action taken” because FEMA is missing required documentation to continue processing the claim. More often than not, the missing paperwork pertains to insurance coverage: FEMA needs your declaration page, claim settlement, claim denial and/or other correspondence pertaining to your insurance. FEMA frequently assists insured homeowners and renters but cannot pay for disaster- related expenses covered under your insurance policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To address many of the common myths and rumors during the New Mexico wildfires, FEMA activated a rumor/ myth web page on the disaster homepage. Visit the FAQ/Rumor page at fema.gov/nm-rumors.

To view all FEMA news and media products released to date for the New Mexico wildfires, visit fema.gov/disaster/4652/news-media

FEMA and the state of New Mexico are committed to providing disaster assistance to people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Assistance is also available for those who communicate in languages other than English. For concerns and allegations of discrimination, please contact the Office of Equal Rights at headquarters at 202-212-3535 or email FEMA-Civil-Rights-Program-OER@fema.dhs.gov