Wildfire Disaster Assistance
Individuals whose homes were significantly damaged or destroyed by recent wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington can now apply for state assistance to help with immediate needs such as temporary housing, food and minor repairs.
TWO WAYS THE STATE CAN HELP YOU:
Individual Assistance through our agency
Disaster Cash Assistance through DSHS
Federal Individual Assistance is not currently available for applications.
Local and state officials are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment. That assessment will document wildfire damage and help determine whether Washington meets the indicators to request federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs.
Additional state resources to help wildfire survivors and how to report damages for your home can be found here.
Who Can Apply for Individual Assistance
People whose homes were lost or severely damaged by the wildfires are encouraged to apply regardless of their income or whether they have insurance.
To qualify for a Household Needs Grant, applicants must:
- Live in an eligible county or Tribal nation: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens or Yakima counties and lands of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation or Spokane Tribe of Indians
- Show that their primary residence was destroyed or seriously damaged and is uninhabitable as a result of wildfires that occurred on Aug. 1, 2026, or later.
- The damage was caused by one of the following fires: Autumn Lane, Old Trails, Fairview, Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, Sinlahekin, Bradeen Hill, Hudspeth, Little Giant, Ptarmigan, Ransier/White Swan, Signal Peak or Mitre Rock.
- Download this documentation list to see what we will need to help you (Word Document)
Eligible households can receive:
- $750 for a one-person household
- $1,500 for a household of two to four people
- $2,250 for a household of five or more
How to Apply
Three ways:
- ONLINE: Those who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to begin the application process online.
- BY PHONE: People who need help completing the application can call 2-1-1.
- IN PERSON: Aug. 14-19 at a State Individual
Assistance Service Center, which are at the following locations with hours listed below.
1. Fire district #1, Station #8
5972 Highway 291, Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
Monday-Thursday, Noon - 8 p.m.
2. Station 91, Fairwood
616 W Hastings Rd, Spokane, WA 99218
Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
3. Spokane Public Library - Central
906 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday Noon - 4 p.m.
Applicants will be asked to provide proof of identity, which could include a driver’s license, a passport, or another government-issued photo ID. Applicants will also need to prove disaster damage and demonstrate that the home was their primary residence. That can be done with a utility bill, a mortgage statement or lease agreement or insurance policy, among others.
 | More information & resources for fire survivors |
FAQ on State Individual Assistance
Eligibility: Occupancy
Q: Do I have to own my home to qualify?
No. Homeowners and renters may apply if the damaged residence was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Q: Does the damaged home have to be my primary residence?
Yes. The program is intended to assist households whose primary residence was impacted by the disaster.
Q: Can I apply for damage to a second home or vacation property?
No. Secondary, seasonal, recreational, and vacation residences are not eligible.
Q: What if I was temporarily away from my home when the disaster happened?
You may still qualify if the damaged home was your primary residence.
Q: What if I was staying with family, in a hotel, or somewhere else because I evacuated?
Temporary displacement because of the disaster does not change your primary residence status.
Eligibility: Damage
Q: How damaged does my home need to be?
Your home must have disaster-caused damage that meets the FEMA definitions of Major or Destroyed, as required for the activated State IA assistance.
Q: What if my home has minor damage?
Minor damage may not qualify for financial assistance depending on the type of State IA assistance activated.
Q: What if my home was destroyed?
You should apply. A case manager will review your application and available damage information to determine eligibility.
Q: Do I need to submit photos of the damage?
Submit photos or other documentation if requested or if they help document damage that may not already be reflected in available damage information.
Q: Will someone need to inspect my home?
Not always. WA EMD may use available damage information to verify impacts. If additional verification is needed, a case manager will coordinate in-person verification with you.
Q: What if I disagree with the damage determination?
You may appeal the determination and provide new information, such as additional photos or documentation within 30 days of your denial letter date.
Eligibility: Impact Area
Q: Does my home have to be within the disaster impact area?
Yes. The damaged primary residence must be within an area determined to have been impacted by the eligible disaster.
Q: What if my address is near the fire or disaster area but is not showing as impacted?
Submit your application. Your case manager can review the location and available damage information.
Q: Can I apply if I evacuated but my home was not damaged?
Evacuation alone does not necessarily qualify a household for State IA. Eligibility depends on the assistance activated and the disaster impact to your residence.
Q: Can someone who lives outside Washington apply?
Assistance is based on the location of the disaster-damaged primary residence, not simply where the applicant is currently staying.
Application & Case Processing
Q: What information will I need to apply?
Applicants should be prepared to provide basic household information, the address of the damaged residence, occupancy information, disaster impact information, and documentation needed to verify eligibility and issue payment.
Q: What happens after I submit my application?
Your application will be screened for eligibility and reviewed by a case manager. The case manager may contact you if additional information or verification is needed.
Q: How will I know the status of my application?
Applicants will receive updates as their application moves through review and determination.
Q: What if information is missing from my application?
A case manager will contact you to request the information needed to complete the review.
Q: How long will it take to receive a decision?
Processing times depend on application volume and whether additional information or damage verification is needed. Complete applications can generally be processed faster.
Q: How will I know if I am approved or denied?
You will receive a determination notification explaining the decision and, if applicable, your appeal rights.
Appeals
Q: Can I appeal if my application is denied?
Yes. State IA allows up to two appeals.
Q: How long do I have to appeal?
You have 30 days from the date of your determination notification to submit your first appeal. If the first appeal is denied, you have an additional 30 days from the date of that denial notification to submit a second appeal.
Q: What should I include with an appeal?
Provide new or additional information that may change the original determination, such as photos, documentation, or information correcting something in your application.
Q: What happens if I appeal after the 30-day deadline?
Appeals submitted after the deadline are not automatically accepted and should be discussed with your case manager.
Payment
Q: How will I receive my State IA payment?
Approved applicants may receive payment through direct deposit or a U.S. Bank ReliaCard, depending on the payment method selected and available for the program.
Q: What do I need for direct deposit?
Applicants receiving direct deposit will need to register through the Statewide Vendor system and provide their Statewide Vendor number before payment can be processed.
Q: What is a ReliaCard?
A ReliaCard is a prepaid U.S. Bank debit card that can be loaded with an approved State IA payment.
Q: What if my ReliaCard is lost or stolen?
Contact U.S. Bank for assistance with a lost, stolen, or replacement card.
General Program Questions
Q: What is State Individual Assistance (IA)?
Washington State Individual Assistance provides assistance to eligible households impacted by a disaster when the program is authorized and activated by the state.
Q: Is State IA the same as FEMA assistance?
No. State IA is a Washington State program and has its own eligibility requirements and assistance categories.
Q: Is State IA automatically available after every disaster?
No. State IA must be authorized and specific assistance must be activated for an eligible disaster.
Q: Does everyone who applies receive assistance?
No. Submitting an application does not guarantee an award. Each application must meet the eligibility requirements for the assistance that has been activated.
Q: Can someone help me complete my application?
Yes. Application and casework assistance is available for applicants who need help completing or navigating the process.
Q: What if I need help that State IA does not cover?
Applicants may be referred to other government, nonprofit, voluntary, or community resources that may be able to address needs outside the State IA program.
Q: Who is Bright Harbor?
Washington state has partnered with Bright Harbor to manage the website and application system related to the State Individual Assistance Program.
Q: Who is AC Disaster Consulting?
Washington state has partnered with AC Disaster Consulting to assist with outreach and case management related to the State Individual Assistance Program.
Q: What information will I be required to provide?
To administer the program, Washington state will collect basic details such as your name, driver’s license or identification number, address, and details about the damage to your home. You do not need to have all documentation available to start an application.
Q: Will my information be shared with other organizations, like state agencies or volunteer organizations?
All survivors have the right to opt out of data sharing. Data is only shared with state agencies, nonprofits, and volunteer organizations to help provide additional resources to meet survivor needs.