Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

Claims Office

Employment

Notice of Loss Form

Tribal Consultation

Public Comment Period

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

On Sept. 30, President Joseph R. Biden signed the Hermit’s Peak Fire Assistance Act that provides $2.5 billion to compensate New Mexicans and Tribal Nations impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The funding may cover eligible loss including personal injury, loss of property, business loss or financial loss.

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.

Claims Office

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.

Employment Opportunities

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is hiring full-time positions to support the processing of claims and provision of compensation to claimants impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.  The duty stations for these positions will be Santa Fe, Las Vegas or Mora, NM, and the pay grades for positions will range from IC- 9 ($55,169) to IC-14 ($146,149).

Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Hiring Flyer

Notice of Loss Form

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.

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Notice of Loss Form

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.

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 will host 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 virtual tribal consultation on the regulation will take place on Dec. 9, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., MT.

FEMA understands the importance of hearing from Tribal Nations on national and regional issues, as well as tribal-specific concerns. This tribal consultation will provide 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.

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Register for the government-to-government tribal consultation and find additional information on the event page.

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.

Additionally, six public meetings will be held in the most heavily impacted communities to collect public comments. The meeting locations are below.

Transcripts

Resources

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Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Regulation Summary

This five-page document provides an overview of the Interim Final Rule that FEMA published in the Federal Register on Nov. 14, 2022. It also explains how to submit a public comment, who can submit a Notice of Loss form and how to complete the Proof of Loss form.

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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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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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Submitting a Public Comment Online or in Person for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act

This graphic provides information on how to submit comments online or in person regarding the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act.

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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 January 25, 2023
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