N.M. Congressional Delegation Welcomes Mora Claims Office Expansion

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), welcomed the expansion of the FEMA Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in Mora, N.M. This announcement comes after a January letter from the Delegation calling on FEMA to expedite the claims process for those impacted by the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and immediately address the backlog of claims.

The new facility with expanded operations opened to the public Monday, April 1. The new space consists of two accessible buildings and a parking lot, all located behind the Mora County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Dr., Mora, N.M.

"I'm pleased to see FEMA heed our calls to expand their operations and improve access to the Claims Office for families in Mora working to recover from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire," said Heinrich. "I will continue fighting to make sure that New Mexico families and communities impacted by the worst fire in our state's history are made whole again."

"I'm glad FEMA listened to our call to expand and improve the operations for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in Mora," said Luján. "This critical announcement from FEMA ensures New Mexicans have better access to apply for the federal compensation they are entitled to after devastating wildfires disrupted their lives. As we approach the two year anniversary of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, we will not stop fighting for the justice New Mexicans deserve."

"The expansion of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in Mora will help meet the demand we know is there to compensate the victims of the fire and flooding," said Leger Fernández. "Too many New Mexicans are still waiting for compensation. I continue to push the federal government every day to improve their service to claimants and get payments out the door faster. Justice depends on it."

"I am so pleased to hear that the FEMA Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in Mora has its operations and grown in capacity to assist those impacted by the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire and flooding," said Stansbury. "Supporting victims affected by natural disasters requires a collective effort, and by focusing on long-term resilience-building efforts, we can help them navigate their way past devastation towards a brighter future."

"Expanding the FEMA Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is a long-overdue step towards addressing the backlog of claims and providing essential support to those who have suffered," said Vasquez. "After the worst fire in New Mexico's history, it's past time we prioritize assistance for affected communities and expedite the compensation process."

New Mexicans affected by the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding can visit the Claims Office to speak with Navigators and Claims Reviewers, pick up or submit Notices of Loss, Proofs of Loss, and other forms, ask about the claims process, or make an appointment to meet with staff.

To contact the Claims Office, click here.

For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, visit the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website here. Para obtener información en español, haga clic aquí.

Background

Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández have fought tirelessly to ensure New Mexicans receive the resources necessary to recover and rebuild from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, pressing top Senate leaders and Biden Administration officials to ensure investments reach those in need. The N.M. Congressional Delegation has secured a total of $3.95 billion to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild. The funding established the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claim's Office at FEMA.

In March 2024, the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed nearly $2 million from FEMA to fund the development of a comprehensive Watershed Restoration Plan for the areas directly impacted by the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire. The investment is funded through the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, secured by the New Mexico Congressional Delegation.

In October 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act to extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit's Peak Claims Office. Under the new bill, the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office would remain open until the end of 2027.

In August 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández welcomed over $6.5 million in federal funding to San Miguel County for reimbursement for county road repairs as a result of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. That same month, Heinrich welcomed final regulations for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act to speed the relief process.

In May 2023, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Criswell expressing concern over the prolonged delay in finalizing the regulations for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims Office.

In December 2022, Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, secured funding in the Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) to support critical U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) emergency disaster programs. Heinrich and Luján also garnered additional support from U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young, who included these programs in OMB's disaster supplemental request.

In November 2022, Heinrich and Luján called on then Senate Appropriations Chair Patrick Leahy and Ranking Member Richard Shelby to prioritize supplemental funding for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program at levels that meet USDA estimates. N.M. Congressional Democrats successfully increased funding for these important programs.

While the fires were ongoing, N.M. Congressional Democrats secured 100 percent coverage of the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. Heinrich requested that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack take this action during a key Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in May 2022 and Leger Fernandez spoke to President Biden about it on his trip to New Mexico and reiterated her request in a letter.

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