The State of California is getting ready cash grants of up to $10,000 per person for those who can prove they have suffered losses in the recent fires, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office announced today.
The grants will cover losses over and above what federal grants from FEMA will cover, and will only kick in once FEMA grants to an individual person have been exhausted, the governor's office said.
``Even after the fires are extinguished, we will still be here to help fire victims in need,'' the governor said in a statement.
Individuals must first apply for assistance through FEMA, which will forward the application to the California Department of Social Services. The federal and state money is intended to fund replacement of household goods, and pay for rent, medical costs and transportation.
In addition, the state has:
- waived fees for replacement documents, such as drivers licenses or
vehicle titles,
- activated medical teams of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and support
personnel, and
- expedited inspections at nursing homes and hospitals to quickly reopen
22 of the 26 facilities temporarily evacuated.
