Applications open for $2.5M in Washington state disaster assistance

In-person assistance available starting today

OLYMPIA - Governor Bob Ferguson is urging people whose homes were damaged December's historic flooding to apply for $2.5 million in state assistance to help with their immediate needs.

The funding is part of the $3.5 million unlocked with Governor Ferguson's disaster declaration. The first $1 million was distributed in Disaster Cash Assistance by the Department of Social and Health Services to those most in need. The funding was distributed over five days to more than 2,600 households. More information about recovery assistance, including how to replace food lost in the flooding that was purchased using food benefits, is available at floodrecovery.wa.gov.

"While we work to apply for federal assistance to obtain more extensive relief, this flexible state funding will help people deal with their immediate in the aftermath of this crisis," Governor Ferguson said. "We are doing all we can to help our communities recover from this historic disaster."

Those who suffered damage during the storm are encouraged to submit an Unmet Needs Assessment Form. Impacted individuals should visit SAHelp.org and enter their zip code to start the process. After filling out the form, case managers will determine eligibility for Household Needs Grants, which help cover costs associated with recovery to include short-term housing, small home repairs, and food replacement. The Salvation Army is partnering with the state to help people find assistance. In-person assistance is available at Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs), listed below.

Those who may be eligible for a Household Needs Grants must:

• Live in an eligible county - Currently King, Snohomish, Skagit, or Whatcom;
• Earn 80 percent or less of the area median gross income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
• Show that their primary residence was destroyed or seriously damaged (water has reached the electrical outlets on the home's first floor) by flooding events between December 5 and December 22, 2025.

The state may add more eligible counties as damage assessments are completed. Grants are based on household size, up to the maximums listed below:

Important Information About Applying:

Unmet Needs Assessment Forms are submitted through SAHelp.org, by phone, or in person at Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs) in local areas. Submitting the form does not automatically mean an individual or household will receive state funding. Additional verification will be required.

After the form is submitted, a Salvation Army Disaster Case Manager will contact the resident to review their situation and identify available recovery assistance. This support may include local, state, federal, nonprofit, and donated resources.

How to Apply:

• Online: Salvation Army website at sahelp.org
• By phone: 833-719-4981
• In person: visit a Disaster Assistance Center in the county in which a resident lives

Those who submit the form will be asked to provide supporting documents to complete their application. Click here to see a list of acceptable documentation.

At the same time, local and state officials are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment for Individual and Public Assistance. This process will verify damages and determine whether the state has met various indicators required for FEMA's Individual and Public Assistance programs. If indicators are met, the governor could request a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which would open the door to additional help for both individual households and public agencies and infrastructure.

Disaster Assistance Center locations:

King County:

• Auburn Library (1102 Auburn Way S) - Friday, Jan. 2 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 3 (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
• King County Library System Administrative Office (960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah) - Sunday, Jan. 4 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Carnation Library (4804 Tolt Ave) - Monday, Jan. 5 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Snohomish County:

Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOA-WW) and Snohomish County are hosting a disaster assistance and resource center.

• VOA-WW Sky Valley Center (617 1st St, Sultan)
• Sunday, January 11 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.);
• Tuesday, January 13 (2 p.m. to 8 p.m.);
• Wednesday, January 14 (2 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Additional Disaster Assistance Center locations are planned for Skagit and Whatcom counties the second week of January. More information to come.