Homeowners whose properties were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable due to fires, floods, and other natural disasters in California have until this Monday to apply for state assistance that can cover up to one year of mortgage payments, with a maximum of $100,000 per eligible household.
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) confirmed that on that day it will close the acceptance of applications for the CalAssist Mortgage Fund, created to ease the mortgage obligations of families who lost their homes or whose properties were so severely damaged that they were declared uninhabitable.
The assistance consists of a financial grant that does not need to be repaid. It is also not a check delivered directly to the owner: the approved funds are transferred to the entity that manages their mortgage to cover the corresponding payments.
The benefit can reach the equivalent of 12 mortgage payments, not exceeding 100,000 dollars per household.
The amount each applicant receives will depend on their payments and the program conditions, so that figure represents a maximum limit and not a guaranteed sum.
The application is free and must be completed through the official CalAssist portal.
Not all property owners affected by a disaster can receive this assistance
The program is exclusively aimed at primary residences located in California that were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable as a result of certain disasters occurring between January 1, 2023, and January 8, 2025.
For a disaster to be eligible, it must have received an emergency declaration from the governor of California or a federal major disaster declaration approved by the President of the United States.
Among the events included are the fires that devastated several communities in the Los Angeles area in January 2025, and the Park Fire, which affected areas of Butte, Tehama, and Plumas counties in 2024.
The owner must demonstrate that the affected dwelling was their primary residence during the month prior to the disaster. It is not enough to have lived near a fire or for the property to have suffered minor damage; it must be proven that it is destroyed or that its deterioration renders it uninhabitable.
According to the requirements published by CalAssist, single-family homes, condominiums, properties with up to four units, and certain manufactured homes permanently affixed to the land can be considered.
Second homes, vacation houses, and properties used solely for investment purposes are not covered. Even if a person owns multiple properties, they can only apply for assistance for the home that was their primary residence before the disaster.
There are also economic limits. The combined income of individuals listed on the mortgage or deed must align with the maximum set for the county where the property is located. Additionally, the mortgage loan must comply with the corresponding limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for 2026.
The property must be registered under an individual's name, although certain trust structures are considered. Properties owned by companies established as LLC (Limited Liability Company), a legal structure used in the United States to register businesses, or other entities excluded by the program's rules are not eligible.
Being behind on mortgage payments does not necessarily prevent you from requesting assistance. CalAssist allows the evaluation of applications from homeowners who are current, have outstanding payments, or are under a temporary suspension or reduction agreement, known in English as forbearance.
The program also includes certain loans based on the accumulated value of the property and reverse mortgages, provided that specific requirements are met.
Property owners who have already received assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), or an insurance company are not automatically excluded. However, they must adhere to the rules that prevent receiving two forms of assistance for the same expense.
To begin the process, interested parties must visit the official program page, complete an initial eligibility questionnaire, and if they meet the preliminary criteria, submit the electronic application.
Among the documents that must be prepared are a valid identification, the most recent mortgage statement, proof of income, bank statements, and a utility bill for the affected property.
Depending on the circumstances, reports from insurance companies, FEMA documents, or certifications from local authorities verifying the damage to the property may also be requested.
Authorities recommend verifying that all documentation is complete and regularly checking the email used in the application, as evaluators may request additional information. The review process may take several weeks.
Another important requirement is that the mortgage servicing entity participates in CalAssist. If it is not yet part of the program, the application may remain pending while efforts are made to include that entity. If it ultimately does not participate, the application cannot be processed.
The official terms document also states that grants may have tax implications, so it is advisable to consult with a tax professional before accepting them.
CalAssist began operating on June 5, 2025, and later expanded its coverage to include up to a year of mortgage payments. The closure announced for this Monday pertains to the application submission period, not to the completion of all aid already granted.
Applications submitted within the deadline will continue to be reviewed after November 2, while payments for approved grants will be made in accordance with the program's conditions.
Saving a request without submitting it does not equate to submitting it. The portal explicitly states that applications must be submitted before the deadline to be considered, even though there are general rules regarding the time available to complete initiated requests.
For those who need assistance, CalAssist offers the phone number 800-501-0019, available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The portal also provides assistance options in various languages, including Spanish.
Interested owners can consult the complete eligibility criteria and required documentation before submitting their application online. The program has set November 2, 2026 as the deadline for receiving new applications.
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