APPLYING FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE

Colorado encourages all individuals impacted by the Marshall Fire to apply for FEMA’s  Individual Assistance Program. Individuals should first call their insurance agents and then apply for federal assistance. Apply for FEMA assistance online or by calling 1-800-621- 3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. If you do not have rental or home insurance, please apply for FEMA assistance. Visit the main page for FEMA’s wildfire response for more information: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4634. 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• Contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1 (844) 493-8255, or text “TALK” to 38255, to speak  with a professional counselor about any area where you could use support for yourself or a loved one, from loneliness and isolation, to stress, relationship issues, substance use and other common concerns.

• JFS Boulder County Crisis Counseling: In response to multiple tragic events over the last year, Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County have partnered to offer counseling services to Boulder County residents. The program offers up to $500 towards five individual counseling sessions (a maximum of $100 per session), or up to $875 towards five family counseling sessions (a maximum of $175 per session) and provides a pool of licensed providers from which to choose.  

• I Matter: 3 free mental health sessions for any youth in the state, largely available via telehealth. 

• Mental Health Partners: Call (303) 443-8500. MHP outpatient services are closed Monday, Jan. 3rd and will re open 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4th

• National Disaster Helpline: Call (800) 985-5990

• Support available at the Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center 

• Boulder County also has advice on dealing with mental health issues after a wildfire.

INSURANCE INFORMATION

If you have been displaced by the fires, contact your insurance agent or company immediately to let them know where you are staying. Not only can they help you with coverage or claims questions, they can help find lodging options as many people in the area will be temporarily displaced.

• To find the contact information of your homeowners or auto insurance company go to Insurance Company Claims Filing Telephone Numbers

• Save all receipts for living expenses if you’ve been evacuated or displaced by the fire, as homeowners or renters in these situations typically have insurance coverage for additional living expenses (ALE) which provides them with an amount of out-of-pocket money while evacuated. Check with your insurance company or agent about your coverage. If you are unable to live in your house or apartment because of the fire, most policies will also reimburse you the difference between your additional living expenses and your normal living expenses. Again, check with your insurance company or agent about your coverage.

• Start the claim process as soon as you can. For your home, any out buildings and vehicles, you’ll want to contact your insurance company or agent right away to begin the claim process. However, these fires were devastating and many people have been significantly impacted, so the insurance process will take time. 

• If possible, and only if it is safe to do so, try to document any damage by taking photos. 

• If your home survived the fires, it may still have experienced damage from smoke or water, or to the electrical systems or other damage due to the extreme heat or the snow and cold. As with direct fire damage, contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to start the claims process. 

• If you have questions about insurance, contact the Division of Insurance. The Division’s Consumer Services Team will staff the phones and answer emails from 8 a.m - 5 p.m., including this weekend and next weekend. While claims need to be filed with the insurance companies, the Division can assist consumers with questions about insurance and the claims process. Contact the Consumer Service Team at 303-894-7490 / 800-930-3745 (outside of the Denver metro area) / DORA_Insurance@state.co.us  or visit our website, doi.colorado.gov (click on “File a Complaint”).

• Renters should contact their renters' insurance. If you do not have rental insurance please apply for FEMA assistance.

APPLYING FOR U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANCE (SBA) 

Federal assistance is available from the SBA to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.83 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.438 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

 To be considered for SBA assistance and all forms of federal disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Additional information and details is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

EMERGENCY JOBLESS BENEFITS

Emergency jobless benefits are available to those who’ve become unemployed or now face interruptions as a self-employed individual as a direct result of the Marshall Fire. File an unemployment insurance claim at https://cdle.colorado.gov/unemployment/file-a-claim.

HOUSING

Boulder Area Rental Housing Association lists available rentals at https://www.barhaonline.org/available-properties-for-displaced-tenants/ 

• Nest is offering 12-month leases on rent-restricted rentals, regardless of income, to fire victims. Call 303-494-5462 for showings.

• PMP Realty in Longmont is offering some rentals, including assistance with first month's rent. Email karen@pmprealty.com or gary@pmprealty.com

• Lyons is offering RV spots at Laverne Johnson Park. Contact Victoria Simonsen, vsimonsen@townoflyons.com

PRESCRIPTION REFILLS

If you evacuated your home without prescription medications, you should be able to get an early refill because of the statewide emergency.

The Colorado Division of Insurance has asked health insurance companies to waive prior authorization for prescription refills or medical equipment for people in fire-affected areas. The division also asked companies to waive prior authorization, utilization review, or medical necessity determinations for patients transferred and discharged because of the fire.

Refer to the following guidance:

• Call the number on the back of your health insurance card or prescription drug plan and inform them of your circumstance and why you need an early refill.

• Call the Division of Insurance for help with insurance questions at 303-894-7490 or 800-930-3745 if you are outside of the Denver metro area. You can also email DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.

• If you have Medicare, you should call your plan and request a refill at a network pharmacy. It may cost more to pick up the refill at an out-of-network pharmacy.

• If you have Health First Colorado and your medication was destroyed, damaged or is inaccessible, the plan will cover any refills. Contact your pharmacy as soon as possible as some medications may need prior authorizations. HCPF has authorized its pharmacies to dispense an emergency, 72-hour supply if necessary.

• If you cannot return home or are unsure of how long you will be displaced, request an extended supply of 60 to 90 days.