Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office

Forms

Background

Public Comment Period

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Articles
Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Logo

FEMA is working alongside New Mexico state and local partners to develop the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office to disperse funding.

We are committed to ensuring a simple claims process, including providing one-on-one assistance at fixed and mobile offices to those who submit a claim. We are also conducting government-to-government consultation with affected Tribal Nations to ensure that the claims process is accessible.

We will keep local partners, Tribal Nations, and New Mexicans informed every step of the way as we stand up the claims office.  

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You do not have to apply for FEMA disaster assistance to submit a claim to the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office.

Claim Offices

Claim Offices are open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mora Claims Office
Mora County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Dr.
Mora, NM 87732

Las Vegas Office
216 Mills Ave.
Las Vegas, NM 87701

(In Mills Plaza near Big R and Family Dollar)

Santa Fe Office
1711 Llano Street, Suite E,
Santa Fe, NM 87505

(Next to Mucho Gourmet Sandwich Shoppe)

GET TO KNOW THE CLAIMS OFFICE STAFF

Angela Gladwell

Director Angela Gladwell

Jennifer Carbajal

Deputy Director Jennifer Carbajal

Paula Gutierrez

Advocate Paula Gutierrez

Charlotte Duran

Claims Navigator Charlotte Duran

Katherine Valdez

Claims Navigator Katherine Valdez

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Claims Navigator Eileen Marrujo

Forms

Beginning November 14, New Mexicans impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire can submit a Notice of Loss form to signal interest in beginning the claims process.

The Proof of Loss form is a detailed accounting of your loss which will include documentation to support the estimated amount of damage you experienced as a result of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

Notice of Loss Form

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Proof of Loss Form

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Forms Can be Submitted By:

Once the Claims Office reviews the Notice of Loss form and confirms completeness, they have 180 days to determine the amount to be paid to the claimant.

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Tribal Nations, entities, corporations or members that have been impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire can submit a claim.

Background

On Sept. 30, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Hermit’s Peak Fire Assistance Act that provided $2.5 billion to compensate New Mexicans and Tribal Nations impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. An additional $1.45 billion was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, that passed Dec. 29, 2022, providing a total of $3.95 billion to fund expected costs under the Act. Funding may cover eligible loss including personal injury, loss of property, business loss or financial loss.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act also included funding to replace water treatment facilities damaged by the fire to ensure communities have access to clean drinking water.

This historic fire, and subsequent flooding, had devastating impacts and this funding will provide much needed resources to help individuals and communities jumpstart their recovery.

Public Comment Period

On Nov. 14, 2022, a 60-day public comment period will begin for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance regulations. These regulations will guide the claims process and describe necessary documentation, evaluation criteria, available funding, and provide for appeal rights, arbitration and judicial review. 

The public comments period will run from Nov. 14, 2022 through Jan 13, 2023, and comments can be submitted at Federal Register. The Federal Register Notice docket number is FEMA-2022-0037. Submitted comments will be publicly available on this website.

Transcripts: Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Public Comment

Tribal Consultation

FEMA remains committed to its responsibility to engage in consultation and collaboration with Tribal Nations, consistent with Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, reaffirmed by President Biden's "Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships."

We hosted a virtual government-to-government consultation with the Tribal Nations impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and whose tribal entities, corporations, or members have been impacted by the fire. The tribal consultation provided an opportunity for FEMA to walk Tribal Nations through proposed regulations regarding P.L. 117-180 and provide Tribal Nations with an opportunity to provide comments to the Agency.

Resources

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Proof of Loss Form - Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

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Submitting a Notice of Loss Form – Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

Learn how to submit a Notice of Loss form to begin the claims process.

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Notice of Loss Form - Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

Submit a Notice of Loss form to begin the claims process. When you file, it means you are choosing to seek compensation for losses from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire through the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act. For guidance on how to file, check out the Submitting a Notice of Loss Form document.

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Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Public Comment Transcript - Thursday, Jan. 9, 2022 - Angel Fire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Tribal Governments or Tribal members submit a claim?

Tribal Governments or Tribal members may submit a claim if they have suffered losses because of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

Can you explain the role of arbitrators and explain how the arbitrators will ensure that claims are processed fairly and equitably?

After FEMA reviews the claimant’s Proof of Loss and makes an offer to settle the claim, if a claimant believes the offer does not fully compensate for their losses, they can file an administrative appeal to the director of the Claims Office.  After the appeal, if they still believe the claim was not properly valued, they can either file a lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the District of New Mexico or arbitrate the claim before an independent arbitrator. 

The arbitrators are independent and impartial – they will not be FEMA employees. FEMA will develop a roster of independent arbitrators who will be available to serve as arbitrators in individual claims. Arbitrators for individual claims will be selected randomly. The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office is still developing procedures to implement the arbitration program and will provide more details when they are available. 

Can you explain the role of the Advocate?

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office will hire critical positions, including the Deputy Director, Navigators, Field Operations staff, the Claims Chief, and the Advocate, locally. By hiring these critical employees locally, we are trying to ensure that claims decisions take into account the unique culture and values of northern New Mexico,  

The Advocate will work with claimants to resolve conflicts and concerns that they do not feel are being addressed by their Navigator or the Claims Branch. The Advocate will identify challenges faced by claimants and will develop solutions to simplify the claims process. The Advocate will report directly to the Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office to ensure visibility and program accountability.

Do I have to apply for FEMA assistance before filing a claim with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office?

No, individuals do not have to apply with FEMA to pursue a claim through the Hermit’s Fire Assistance Grant.

Do I need to hire an attorney to help navigate this process?

The claims review process is intended to be simple and should not require paid legal assistance.  

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Last updated June 5, 2023
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