Residents and businesses whose homes or property were damaged by the Woolsey Fire have until Jan. 31 to apply for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA announced Wednesday.
Residents and business owners can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or in person at one of two Disaster Recovery Centers.
The centers -- at the Malibu Courthouse, 23525 Civic Center Way, and in Agoura Hills at the Hilton Foundation Building, 30440 Agoura Road -- are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Applicants may also call FEMA at (800) 621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific time.
FEMA has approved 6,646 applications and more than $48.7 million in aid related to the Woolsey and Camp fires in Los Angeles, Ventura and Butte counties, according to the agency's website.
FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and are non-taxable. They do not affect eligibility for any other federal benefits.
In addition to dollars for home repairs, residents may be eligible for rental assistance and other benefits.
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The California State Supplemental Grant Program offers additional benefits when an applicant reaches the maximum amount of FEMA assistance. FEMA will automatically forward applications to the state program when federal benefits are exhausted.
Residents and business owners, including renters, may also apply for aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which offers low-interest loans of up to $40,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles.
The deadline to register for all aid is Jan. 31 and applicants should apply through the same process for SBA loans.
FEMA mitigation specialists and local home improvement and hardware store representatives were also leading repair and rebuilding advice workshops at a Woodland Hills Home Depot on Variel Avenue for those affected by the Woolsey Fire. The representatives are available to answer questions and offer tips geared toward do-it-yourself-oriented homeowners and contractors through Saturday until 5 p.m. daily. Additional availabilities are scheduled for Sunday and Monday.
The 96,949-acre Woolsey Fire -- which broke out Nov. 8 in Ventura County and quickly spread into Los Angeles County -- killed three civilians, injured three firefighters, destroyed 1,643 structures and damaged 364 others.
The blaze was 100 percent contained on Nov. 21.
