Victims of the California wildfires have a long and arduous road ahead of them.
As many return to piles of ash or water damaged structures, the emotional and physical recovery will be daunting. The added anxiety of rebuilding a financial foundation will only add to the burden. The process requires detail-oriented focus, combined with patience, which is a lot to ask at critical periods of time.
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Here are specific steps to consider, and resources that may help:
Step 1 — Gather insurance information
Locate your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy (either private or the CA state insurance FAIR plan) and take note of your policy number. If you do not have your policy or can’t find the number, call your broker for the information or ask that a claim be reported on your behalf. (If your car was damaged, you’ll need your auto policy.)
Step 2 — Document your loss
If your structure is intact, take pictures or video of the damage before you move anything and make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.
If your house has been completely destroyed, go room-by-room in order to remember what was there previously. It can help to talk with family members and to consult photos to prompt you in the process.
Step 3 — Contact your insurer
Report your claim, contact the adjuster, and submit as quickly as possible. Don’t make permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected the property and you’ve agreed on the cost.
Remember that all insurance company settlement offers can be negotiated, so don’t sign on the dotted line too quickly. If you need to protect the property with specific actions, inform your insurer and keep detailed records of the expenses.
Step 4 — Get government help
If you don’t have coverage — or if your insurance does not provide enough money to rebuild or get back on your feet, access federal programs or aid from nonprofits to rebuild.
Apply for FEMA assistance through DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. FEMA also provides Transitional Sheltering Assistance for short-term, emergency sheltering options in participating hotels.
One note: FEMA has explained that it can’t provide aid to cover expenses that a recipient has already received help covering, whether through insurance claims or via a donations page, like GoFundMe.
Step 5 — Don’t sweat tax season
The IRS announced that natural disaster victims will have until October 15th, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Additionally, they will have access to retirement savings to help shoulder the financial burden. Victims can withdraw up to $22,000 from an IRA or other eligible retirement plan, which would be exempt from the 10 percent early distribution tax, if under the age of 59½. The IRS will allow repayment of these funds within three years of the distribution.
Step 6 — Beware the fraudsters
It’s sad to say it, but desperate disaster victims often fall prey to criminals. Be defensive and remember that only scammers will insist you pay for services by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or in cash.
Avoid anyone who promises they can help you qualify for relief from the government for a fee. That’s a scam. FEMA will never require you to pay a fee to get disaster relief. Never sign your insurance check over to someone else.
Be sure to research contractors and get estimates from more than one before signing a contract for work. Get a written contract for repairs and read it carefully before signing it.
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Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at askjill@jillonmoney.com. Check her website at www.jillonmoney.com.
