Snowstorm 2023 Resources
Grants & Assistance
SB County Mountain Small Business Grant Program
Mountain businesses and non-profits with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for a one-time
$3,000 grant. Businesses with more than 50 but less than 500 employees can receive a one-
time $15,000 grant to assist with recovery from the recent snowstorms.
To qualify, businesses must have been in operation before February 27 and have a brick-
and-mortar location in the affected San Bernardino Mountains used by employees and
customers. Funds are intended to help businesses defray overhead costs such as rent and
utilities.
SB County Reimbursement for Snow Removal
The County will reimburse residents and businesses up to $500 to help cover what cost
of professional snow removal. There are some requirements, including the submission
of a paid invoice and photos of the completed work. Snow Removal Reimbursement.
SB County Building Permits
As Our Businesses and Residents Rebuild, The County Land Use Services Will:
Waive: Up to $5,000 in County plan review and permit fees for property owners looking to repair or rebuild structures damaged or destroyed by the historic snowfall. The waiver is available for each structure impacted by the storm.
Expedite: Land Use Services has created a Storm Response Team focused on supporting the public in the repair and rebuilding of their structures damaged by the extreme snowstorm event. The team will ensure that the plan review and permit process for impacted residents will be expedited to the fullest extent possible.
Restaurant Grant
Restaurant Care “Resilience Fund” grants for the Spring program are due between April 15 – May 7, 2023. Restaurant Care partners with SoCalGas, PG&E, and SDG&E to offer this grant program.
East Valley Association of Realtors-Displacement Grant
The East Valley Association of Realtors (EVAR) received a $250,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF) to assist primary homeowners and renters that were affected by the recent snowstorms in the Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Big Bear and surrounding San Bernardino Mountain areas. The EVAR United Mountain Disaster Relief grant will assist those most in need to help with their mortgage, rent, or shelter costs if they were displaced from their homes due to damage caused by the storms. Up to $2,500 will be awarded to those that qualify.
The deadline for filing is May 15, 2023.
Mountain Fire Safe Council Grant Program
Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council’s board has authorized assistance for those with downed trees, branches, etc. as a result of the winter storm, waiving the requirement for a notice or insurance letter. To begin the request for assistance, fill out the form on the website.
The process turnaround is subject to weather and contractor availability. If you have already paid to have work done, reimbursements will be considered for the period March 1st to March 21st only, with photos and paid receipt or proof of payment. An application is required. Assistance is on a percentage basis and subject to certain maximums per property.
SBA LOANS + FEMA
Federal EIDL + Property Damage Loans are Now Available
Previously designated as a "contiguous county", a new presidential declaration has been made, declaring San Bernardino County a "primary county". This means that the SBA is now offering a loan for property damage, in addition to the EIDL loan for economic injury. FEMA is now available for individual assistance for homeowners with this updated declaration.
The SBA is assisting survivors who are homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations including places of worship who had suffered from February 21, 2023, and continuing disaster of severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, landslides, and mudslides can receive disaster assistance.
SBA offers disaster assistance by way of low-interest Federal loans to those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
For Physical Damage Loans, the deadline is September 1st, 2023. For Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the deadline is January 3, 2024. You may want to complete the SBA Application even if you are unsure you need it. If approved, the loan becomes an option.
Businesses
Property Damage: Up to $2,000,000 to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed (available to businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations).
Economic Injury: For businesses and private non-profit organizations suffering adverse financial impacts of the disaster (with or without property loss), up to $2,000,000 for working capital to help pay obligations until normal operations resume. Agricultural cooperatives can receive this loan. Read the fact sheet and also three ways to apply for more information (see below).
Individuals and Families
Homeowners: Up to $200,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $40,000 to replace personal property.
Renters: Up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.
Interest rates can be as low as 4.00 percent for businesses, 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.375 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 7-1-1.
FEMA Details:
Individuals in Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties can apply with FEMA the following ways:
- Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Constituents may call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362
(TTY: 800-462-7585).
BUSINESS PLANNING
The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network (OCIE SBDC), is a partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Cal State at Fullerton, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and others. The SBDC provides resources, consulting, and training to business owners in the region through over 100 business consultants on the team.
SBDC set up a San Bernardino Weather-Impacted Resource Guide created to assist the
businesses throughout San Bernardino that have been affected by the recent snow disaster. Specifically, the unincorporated towns of Crestline, Running Springs, Twin Peaks, Blue Jay, Agua Fria, Lake Arrowhead, Sky Forest, Rim Forest, Big Bear, and surrounding communities. Resource Guide Here
The Guide will be updated for developments as they occur. You can also call the OCIE SBDC
for a one-on-one consultation at no cost to you. Call (800) 616-SBDC [7232].
TAX DEADLINES
IRS Tax Filing Deadline Extended - Federal Income Tax
California storm victims now have until May 15, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced.
This includes 2022 individual income tax returns due on April 18, as well as various 2022 business returns normally due on March 15 and April 18. Among other things, this means that eligible taxpayers will have until May 15 to make 2022 contributions to their IRAs and health savings accounts.
This declaration also allows the May 15th Tax Return Filing Deadline to be extended to Oct 16th.
The Oct. 16 deadline also applies to 2023 estimated tax payments, normally due on April 18, June 15, and Sept. 15. It also applies to the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Jan. 31, April 30, and July 31.
If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment, or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty. IRS Disaster Hotline at 866-562-5227. IRS Disaster Guidance Click Here.
FTB Filing Deadlines Extended - State Income Tax
The Franchise Tax Board will follow the IRS extension guidance for Emergency Disaster declarations. Click Here.
Casualty Losses
Please keep good records of storm losses for tax purposes and consult with your tax professional.
For IRS purposes, affected taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either the year in which the event occurred (2023) or the prior year (2022). See IRS Publication 547 for details.
Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements Click Here.
California Casualty Loss rules generally follow the IRS Code Click Here.
California Department of Tax & Fee Administration (CDTFA)
The CFTDA is responsible to collect 37 different taxes and fees, including sales tax, beverage, alcohol, and others.
Emergency tax or fee relief is available from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) for taxpayers who have been directly affected by disasters declared as state of emergency, both within California and nationally.
Available services may include the extension of tax return due dates (filing and payments of up to 3 months), relief of penalty and interest (upon filing of request forms), or replacement copies of records lost due to disasters. Click Here.
EMPLOYEES
FEMA Unemployment Assistance
Residents who have lost work as a result of damages from the snow and ice from the
severe winter storms, the flooding, landslides, and mudslides that took place in February
and March may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program is funded by FEMA and operated by
the California Employment Development Department. To file a claim, Apply and
Manage Your Claim Online (ca.gov) or call 1-800-300-5616 Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time). The deadline to file an application is May 15.
FEMA Press Release (English PDF)
FEMA Press Release (Spanish PDF)
California EDD Services for Employees
A State of Emergency for San Bernardino County began on March 1. The EDD has a variety of services for individuals affected by disasters in California, including waiving the waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits (UI), paid family leave (PFL) benefits, and extensions to file taxes. These benefits can provide financial assistance to families in need.
Find more information on the EDD’s website. Contact the EDD here.
People have reported issues getting claims processed timely. If you need help expediting claims, Assemblyman Tom Lackey advises that his office can help expedite your employees’ claims with their special contacts at the EDD. Call Pam Balch at (661) 267-7636 for help.
DONATIONS / SPONSORS
A special thank you to SLP Communications and Supervisor Dawn Rowe, we dedicate our emergency
resources web page communications to our sponsors.
When Susan L. Patane of SLP Communications saw what was happening in the San Bernardino Mountain Snowstorms, she was overcome with the desire to help. Not long ago, she went through the Paradise fires devastation and knows what it’s like to go through this kind of crisis. Working with Supervisor Rowe in the past, she appreciates her hard work and support.
Susan rallied her clients and they all responded with a heartfelt donation to our three Mountain
Community Chambers of Commerce (Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce, Crestline/Lake Gregory Chamber of Commerce and Running Springs Chamber of Commerce) in support of our emergency communications.
We thank our donors from the bottom of our hearts, for the recognition and support: SLP Communications, Equinox, Apollo, CalPortland.
LOSS DATA COLLECTION
San Bernadino County still needs additional Federal and SBA Declarations that will make more resources available to our communities. These needed declarations occur at certain levels of aggregate loss by the County from the storms. The status of aggregate losses from the storm is shown in this article The County Leads FEMA and Other Organizations in Efforts to Secure Aid.
Please complete the two damage assessment forms for the County of San Bernardino and stay tuned for more information.
#1 For structural damage, please report losses to County Fire here: San Bernardino County Structural Damage Survey
#2 For Economic Injury, including business interruption, please report losses on THIS FORM and email the completed form to info@eda.sbcounty.gov
The San Bernardino County Economic Development Department is gathering information from businesses about the total Economic Impact of the storm. This form is to assist in getting a complete picture of all the losses sustained by businesses. This is in addition to what San Bernardino County Fire is collecting regarding property damage.
CONTACT INFORMATION
SB County Snowstorm 2023 Resources
For up-to-date information about County storm resources and coordination go to their dedicated website:
Road Conditions / State Highways / Weather
Stay abreast of road conditions on state highways, https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/, and County roads, https://dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/road-closures/.
To keep up-to-date about the weather and forecast for Lake Arrowhead Communities, click on this link: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/lake-arrowhead
See-Click-Fix App
SeeClickFix is a mobile app and web tools that gives citizens the ability to provide County Public Works and Special Districts officials with pictures, videos, specific descriptions, and more. The SeeClickFix citizen reporting solution feeds valuable information needed to get the job done efficiently directly to the County centralized operations, asset and issue management system to manage issues from creation to resolution.
The SeeClickFix mobile app is available for download on Google Play Store for Android and Apple App Store for iPhone. In addition to the mobile apps, citizens can send reports to the SB County Public Works using the form on the website here:
Contact Our Government Representatives
