Today is the deadline for victims of October’s Northern California wildfires to file for federal assistance. Registering for federal aid could provide numerous benefits for affected residents, including property losses, economic losses, and even up to $200,000 in loans to rebuild destroyed homes.

According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, federal officials are encouraging everyone affected by the fires to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), even if they have insurance or think they won’t need assistance. Filing by today will keep the option available.

“The deadline is really critical, because we don’t have any knowledge at this point of an extension,” said Brandi Richard, a FEMA public affairs officer. “There’s so many different aspects of assistance that we can provide.”

Sonoma County fire victims can register with FEMA online, over the phone or in person at one of the two disaster recovery centers in the area: one in downtown Santa Rosa at The Press Democrat building and the other in the Sonoma Valley at the Hanna Boys Center. Richard said FEMA doesn’t have a date set for when either center will close permanently, even after the Monday deadline passes.

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Northern California fire victims must register for FEMA, SBA assistance by Monday