Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office

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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

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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Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Public Comment Transcript - Thursday, November 17,2022 - Las Vegas

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Public Comment Meetings Flyer - Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Regulation

Find out how to join a public meeting to provide comments on the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance regulations.

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Tribal Leader Letter on Virtual Tribal Consultation on the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Regulations

A letter to Tribal Nation leaders informing them about a virtual tribal consultation on the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance regulations public comments period.

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Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Interim Final Rule

Review the interim final rule that sets out the procedures for claimants to seek compensation for injury or loss of property resulting from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a claimant chooses to hire an attorney, will the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office pay the attorney fees?

FEMA is designing the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire claims process so that claimants do not need the services of an attorney or claim professional.  If a claimant chooses to hire an attorney, the claimant is responsible for paying the attorney’s fees.

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act caps the attorney’s fees at 20 percent of the claim payment.

If I already received funding from FEMA related to damage from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, will I have to return that assistance?

No. However, future compensation amounts will be reduced to prevent paying for the same damage or losses twice.

Is Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office money taxable?

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Assistance Act states generally that compensation is not considered income or resources under Federal State or local tax laws.  If you have specific questions, you should contact a tax professional for assistance.

Is the compensation provided from Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office different from FEMA assistance?

Yes. The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office will design and administer a program for compensating those who suffered personal injury, property losses, business losses and financial losses resulting from the Hermit’s Peak/ Calf Canyon Fire. This compensation exceeds the assistance typically provided by FEMA through recovery assistance programs.

Is there a geographic boundary for who is eligible?

No.  Any eligible individual or entity that believes they suffered damage as a result of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, including business loss and loss from flooding that occurred because of the fire, should submit a claim, regardless of whether the affected property or business is within the area declared as a Federal disaster as a result of the fire.

Last updated June 9, 2023