Businesses supply vital goods and services, jobs, and economic stability to communities affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire. The Claims Office remains committed to ensuring business claims are paid out swiftly and fairly.
The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act requires claimants submit a Notice of Loss (NOL) by December 20, 2024, to receive compensation for damages from the Hermit’s Peak/ Calf Canyon Fire and its cascading effects. If you are a business owner affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, subsequent flooding, mud flows or other cascading impacts, and intend to file a claim, please do so on or before December 20, 2024.
Business Loss Compensation
Businesses may seek compensation for documented losses from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, such as:
- Increased Expenses - such as additional temporary labor expenses, additional advertising expenses, temporary office relocation expenses, other increased business operation expenses incurred.
- Temporary Interruption or Closure – Compensation for net Income lost based on decrease in revenue during temporary business shut-down.
- Loss of Natural Resources - Sold as official products: Including timber, crops and water.
- Work not performed - Documented expenses for employees who continued being paid after operations shut down.
- Canceled Contract(s) – Terminated contracts that cannot be reinstated after the temporary closure.
- Canceled grants - Permanently canceled grants.
- Damaged Property – Property owned or leased by the business that was damaged as a result of the fire or cascading event – this could include damage to physical property, smoke and ash cleaning, business owned contents, damaged inventory, business owned vehicles, etc.
Business entities that are not officially registered or incorporated under the State can still file a claim. The owners may be compensated as individuals rather than businesses and must prove their enterprises generate income.
Per regulatory requirement, non-profits that provide critical services to communities must first submit a request for FEMA Public Assistance (RPA) for assessment under the Stafford Act.
Required documentation (not all-inclusive):
- Complete tax returns to include all schedules and attachments for 2021, 2022, 2023 and any other relevant years that are being considered in this claim.
- Federal Employer Identification Number.
- Monthly profit and loss statements for each year being considered for comparable year and loss period.
- Private insurance documents if applicable.
- Official records proving ownership of business and who has management and business management authority.
- Documentation proving ownership of the affected property, i.e. Articles of Incorporation or Organization, etc.
- Cancelled contracts or agreements.
- Photos of damaged property.
- Additional documentation to support that might not be listed above.
Claimants can apply:
- In—person at the Santa Fe, Las Vegas or Mora Claims Offices (visit fema.gov/disaster/current/hermits-peak/contact-us to see locations and hours of operation).
- Via mail to the Claims Office
P.O. Box 1329
Santa Fe, NM 87504 - Via email to the Claims Office or to the previously assigned claims navigator (FEMA-hermits-peak@FEMA.dhs.gov)
Claims Office Boosts Efforts to Help Businesses
The Claims Office has a dedicated team focused solely on processing business claims and addressing the unique needs of business owners. We are committed to improving communication with business owners on eligibility and the claims process. Information on Claims Office outreach and engagement events for business owners can be found on facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice.If a business owner is uncomfortable discussing information at the Claims Office, a navigator or team leader can meet at the person’s home or place of business.
As of Sept. 24, 2024, the Claims Office has paid $194.2 million in compensation to businesses.
Anyone impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding is encouraged to start a claim with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office if they haven’t already. The deadline to submit a Notice of Loss is December 20, 2024, per the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Act.
The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act provides that compensation through the Claims Office is not taxable income and will not impact eligibility for other federal benefits including social security or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Contact a tax professional for specific tax-related questions. Questions and concerns can also be addressed by calling your claim Navigator or the Claims Office Helpline at 505-995-7133.
For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice.