SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION-TV)- Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed that California will send $95 million to undocumented flood victims affected by winter storms.
In March, Newsom promised undocumented flood victims would receive help during a news conference in Pájaro. The program is called The Storm Assistance for Immigrants Project and it will be available to most counties in June. The program will be available until May 31, 2024 or until all funds have been expended.
According to the California Department of Social Services, the program will assist undocumented flood victims who are not eligible for FEMA assistance in counties that fell under President Biden’s Major Disaster Declaration in January and April.
“The goal of this program is to help people through the recovery process by providing funds for food, housing and basic needs,” Scott Murray, spokesman for the California Department of Social Services. “Ensuring support for all Californians affected by the storms, regardless of immigration status, builds the resiliency of affected communities and puts everyone on the path to economic recovery.”
Funds will be provided via preloaded debit cards or check to in-person applicants through non-profit organizations selected by Governor Newsom’s Administration.
There are two non-profit organizations that will help distribute funds along the Central Coast. Those organizations are the Diocese of Monterey Catholic Charities and the Santa Cruz County Community Action Board.
Individuals who will be eligible for this program will receive a payment of $1,500 and children (under the age of 18) will receive $500. Each household could receive a maximum of $4,500.
Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible households and individuals. Funding is limited and storm relief services and assistance are not guaranteed.
To be eligible for assistance, an individual must be able to provide information that they lived and/or worked in an affected county; are 18 years of age or older; are not eligible for federal disaster assistance; and have experienced difficulties as a result of storms that occurred in December 2022 through April 2023.
Selected nonprofit groups will conduct in-person interviews with eligible applicants and provide funds to you in person to minimize the risk of fraud. Intake questions will ask for evidence of hardship, inquire about prior services, and confirm ineligibility for federal assistance.
Murray said applicants can only seek assistance with nonprofit organizations that are assigned to their county of residence or county in which they were previously employed or resided.
Those interested in applying for assistance should contact the nonprofit organizations listed for their respective counties.
To see if you are eligible for assistance, click here.
