ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Saturday the deadline has been extended for wildfire and flooding victims to apply for federal assistance.

Affected residents now have until October 19, instead of August 19, to apply for FEMA aid. This extension also gives residents another 60 days to apply for both FEMA Individual Assistance and Small Business loans from the Small Business Administration.  

“People have been very overwhelmed cleaning up. And you know, some people left town to live with relatives. Some people are just coming back,” said Maria Padron, with FEMA.

This encompasses anyone the South Fork and Salt Fires affected, as well as residents affected by flooding in these places:

• Lincoln County
• Otero County
• San Juan County
• Rio Arriba County
• Mescalero Apache Tribe

“Residents of Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties and the Mescalero Apache reservation can apply for these services like rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property, disaster related needs not covered by insurance, because we don’t duplicate benefits,” Padron said.

The grants can also cover medical needs from hospital visits and essential items that could’ve been damaged or left behind.

“Let’s say you have a wheelchair. You have your glasses. You had to run away, and you left everything behind. We can help you with getting medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, medication, glasses, things like that,” Padron said.

FEMA also has mitigation experts at Ace Hardware on Sudderth Drive.

“They’re going to be there until August 24. Residents, or anybody who wants to have some information on how to rebuild better and safer against future fires and flooding, and how to hire a contractor can come and talk to them. Also they provide guidance on flood insurance,” Padron said.

Grants are already being distributed. The amount varies but the maximum is $42,500 per grant.

How can you apply for assistance? Here’s a few ways:

• Visit a Disaster Resource and Recovery Center Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations for those centers are listed at fema.gov/drc. 
• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. 
• Call the FEMA application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
• For small business owners, click here.

“Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service,” a news release specified.

The State of New Mexico is also still offering full-service debris removal from private property at no cost to residents. There is no deadline to sign up. You can go here to learn more about that.