What Citizens should know about accessing Disaster Recovery Assistance
Both state and local agencies are coordinating resources from a multitude of agencies to assist families directly or indirectly impacted by the Waldo Canyon Fire.
WALDO CANYON DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at 105 N. Spruce Street (the former El Paso County Department of Human Services building) is where families should go to get connected to agencies to assist with their immediate needs and plans for long-term rebuilding. The DRC is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9-1 on July 4) and can also be reached by phone at (719) 444-8300. You can also get information on services available by calling Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1 Information and Referral at (719) 955-0742 (direct dial 2-1-1 from landlines only).
If your property was impacted by the fire, you should contact your insurance company if you have not already done so. Working with your insurance company will not impact your eligibility for any future assistance and is something every property owner should do as soon as possible regardless of what other aid is available now or will be made in the future. Insurance companies must be contacted during the process because federal disaster assistance, if it is approved, will not duplicate what insurance covers.
The State of Colorado is working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate federal assistance. At this point in the process, preliminary damage assessments are being scheduled in close coordination with state and local officials. Federal aid through FEMA is currently directed through state and local agencies so at this point, individuals do not register with FEMA for direct individual assistance, but instead should continue to work with local and state agencies. Should this change in the future, after the preliminary damage assessments, you will be notified of any actions individuals need to take.
FEMA DESIGNATIONS AND TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
CRISIS COUNSELING ASSISTANCE
Designated Counties: El Paso and Larimer Counties impacted by the High Park and Waldo Canyon Fires. The Crisis Counseling Program supports short-term interventions that involve thecounseling goals of assisting disaster survivors in understanding their current situation andreactions, mitigating stress, assisting survivors in reviewing their disaster recovery options,promoting the use or development of coping strategies, providing emotional support, andencouraging linkages with other individuals and agencies who may help survivors in their recovery process (recover to their pre-disaster level of functioning). See the FEMA rep in the DRC if you need to access this assistance.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
The purpose of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is to provide unemployment benefits and reemployment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular State unemployment insurance (UI).
Designated Counties: El Paso and Larimer Counties impacted by the High Park and Waldo Canyon Fires. See the FEMA rep in the DRC if you need to access this assistance.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: (Assistance for emergency work to local and state agencies)
El Paso and Larimer Counties impacted by the High Park and Waldo Canyon Fires for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance.
OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Thank you for your continued strength and commitment to pull together as a community to recover and rebuild.
