Wildfire recovery: insurance, rebuilding & relief
Every link verified · 2026-09-28 · updated through the recovery
The fires are out and the emergency shelters have closed. This page is now in the order most families need it: a recovery plan, the grant deadlines, then insurance, cleanup, rebuilding, and housing. For a live person who can walk you through any of it, call 211 (or text 898211). This is a free directory we maintain for our neighbors; we are a real-estate team, not a government agency, and nothing here requires signing up for anything.
Deadlines coming up
Start here: your recovery plan
Two months in, the work shifts from finding a bed to rebuilding a life. The single most useful step is getting a disaster case manager, who can track every program below with you.
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Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group — disaster case management
The local nonprofit coordinating long-term recovery for the Spokane Complex fires. Its disaster case managers work with you on a written recovery plan and bring unmet needs to the funders at the table. It also verifies and pays the Karen Worthy $10,000 grant. Use the Get Help form on the site to start.
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Free statewide helpline for everything on this page: grants, housing, food, and mental-health support. It also helps with the state grant application.
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After the Fire WA — the recovery roadmap
Survivor-led Washington nonprofit with a 2026-fires page: a step-by-step Resident Recovery Guide workbook, debris-cleanup and erosion-control help, and guidance for homeowners on what comes after the emergency.
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Washington Governor's wildfire resources hub
The state's one-stop directory for fire survivors: cash assistance, tax relief, license replacement, insurance help, rental search, and unemployment benefits.
Grants and cash help, by deadline
Most of these can be combined. Apply for each one you qualify for, and keep every receipt.
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$10,000 Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant — apply by Oct 18 dates can change — confirm first
A one-time, unrestricted $10,000 for households whose primary residence was destroyed or a total loss in the Old Trails, Autumn Lane, or Fairview fires. Homeowners AND renters both qualify. Funded by Walt Worthy in memory of Karen Worthy, verified and paid by the Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group. Questions to WorthyGrant@SRLTRG.org. Applications close October 18, 2026.
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State Disaster Cash Assistance (DCAP) — open through Oct 30 dates can change — confirm first
DCAP is open until Oct. 30, 2026, or until the funds run out, whichever comes first (the governor extended it on Sept. 2). Start online at WashingtonConnection.org, then finish the required interview by phone or at a mobile office or Community Services Office. Ask for it by its full name, 'Disaster Cash Assistance Program'. While you are on the phone, ask about the other DSHS emergency programs too, including AREN (help with shelter and utilities) and Diversion Cash Assistance.
1-877-501-2233 (expect long waits; applying online first is faster)
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REALTORS® Relief Foundation grant — closes Nov 4 dates can change — confirm first
Spokane REALTORS® is administering a $500,000 REALTORS® Relief Foundation grant for households affected by the fires in Spokane, Stevens, and Lincoln counties: up to $1,000 per household toward a mortgage payment, rent, or hotel costs. You do NOT need to be a REALTOR. First come, first served; the application window closes Nov 4, 2026.
The application is picky about uploads — our step-by-step guide to getting documents accepted
509-326-9222 (M–F 8:30–4:30, or wildfirerelief@spokanerealtors.com)
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State wildfire grants — up to $2,250 per household dates can change — confirm first
State Individual Assistance Household Needs Grants: $750 for one person, $1,500 for two to four, $2,250 for five or more, if your primary residence was destroyed or majorly damaged. Apply online through the state's page, call 211 for help, or visit the in-person service center (location and weekend hours are kept current on the page). Bring a government photo ID and proof the home was your primary residence.
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FEMA grants and SBA loans — requested, not yet approved dates can change — confirm first
On Sept. 28 the governor formally asked the President for a Major Disaster Declaration, including FEMA Individual Assistance for survivors in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane, and Stevens counties and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. If approved it could fund housing assistance, crisis counseling, disaster case management, and disaster unemployment assistance, up to $42,500 per individual, and you would apply directly with FEMA here. It is NOT open yet, and SBA disaster loans are not open yet either. Until then, save your damage photos and receipts.
Insurance claims
Most families rebuild with insurance money. A few hours spent on the claim now is worth more than any grant on this page.
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Free help with your claim — WA Insurance Commissioner
What fire and smoke damage is covered, how to document a total loss, and a state advocacy line that can step in if your insurer stalls or underpays. Ask about Additional Living Expenses (Loss of Use), which pays rent or hotel costs while you are displaced. The Commissioner's emergency order protecting fire-zone policyholders from cancellation ran Aug. 3 to Sept. 30, 2026, and can be extended 30 days at a time; the line can tell you whether it still applies.
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United Policyholders — Roadmap to Recovery
A national nonprofit that helps disaster survivors get their claims paid: claim guidance, sample letters, and help reading your policy. Especially useful for contents inventories and underinsurance questions.
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HUD — mortgage relief and free housing counseling
Forbearance and foreclosure protection options for FHA borrowers after a disaster declaration, plus free HUD-approved counseling for any homeowner or renter weighing rebuild, sell, or rent decisions.
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Replace a lost or destroyed driver license / ID
Most grants and claims ask for photo ID. Replace online, by phone, or at any licensing office; update your mailing address first, since replacements can't be forwarded.
Cleanup and debris
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Asbestos survey BEFORE debris cleanup — Spokane Clean Air
Required before removing debris or ash from a burned structure: an asbestos survey by an AHERA-certified inspector, plus a Notice of Intent filed with Spokane Clean Air (fees and waiting periods are WAIVED for fire-affected properties). Negative survey: you or a contractor may clear the site. Positive: a certified abatement company must.
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Cleanup & debris removal — City of Spokane
The city's cleanup hub: debris-handling safety, disposal locations, and the removal of household hazardous materials (paint, solvents, batteries).
Rebuilding and permits
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REBUILD Spokane — damage and permit dashboard (city)
The City of Spokane's public map of every structure inspected in and around the burn area, with its damage status. The city is adding demolition and construction permit status next. Questions or corrections: RebuildSpokane@spokanecity.org.
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City of Spokane rebuilding help — permits, fee relief, on-site planners dates can change — confirm first
Inside city limits: a city planner and plan reviewer are at the Shadle Park Library every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 2 to help fire-affected owners with permits. The city has proposed rebuild rules, with a council vote set for Sept. 30: like-for-like rebuilding with relaxed standards, an ADU you can live in before the main house is rebuilt, deferring permit fees until move-in, and no new utility connection charge when you rebuild with the same meter size.
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Spokane County rebuild permits — reduced fees, 5–7 day review
Outside city limits. From the county's rebuild FAQ: demolition permits for wildfire-affected properties are $33.62, rebuilds on substantially the same footprint get a five-to-seven-day review, a surviving foundation can be reused only if a structural engineer certifies it, and temporary housing on your lot during the rebuild is allowed with conditions. On Sept. 22 commissioners also halved other wildfire permit fees; sign the Wildfire Damage Permit Attestation Form with your application to get the reduction. Well and septic questions go to the Spokane Regional Health District at (509) 324-1560.
509-477-3675 (Building & Planning, or BPHELP@spokanecounty.gov)
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State rebuilding relief — announced Sept. 28, not final yet dates can change — confirm first
Three state steps to lower rebuilding costs, each still being finalized. (1) An older energy code: the governor asked the State Building Code Council to let homes built before 2015 rebuild to 2015 energy standards, and newer homes to the code in place when they were built. It would apply only to people who owned the property at the time of the fires; a buyer of the lot would have to build to current code. (2) A sales and use tax rebate on rebuilding costs, to be proposed to the Legislature; the governor's rough example is about $36,000 back on a $400,000 rebuild in Spokane. (3) Waiving the state fee on building permits in affected counties, plus faster Department of Ecology exemptions for debris piles.
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Check any contractor's license — WA Labor & Industries
Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, look up the contractor's registration, bond, and workers' comp account. Out-of-town crews arrive after every fire; the unregistered ones are the ones that disappear with deposits.
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Property-tax relief for destroyed or damaged property
Washington law lets the Spokane County Assessor reduce the assessment on property destroyed or damaged in a declared disaster. The Assessor can start the process on its own, but filing a destroyed-property claim yourself makes sure your parcel is included. The county news feed has the Assessor's instructions.
Housing while you rebuild
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Goodwill Wildfire Relief Program — rent, deposits & utilities dates can change — confirm first
Now taking applications: the City of Spokane's $1 million in state housing funds, run by Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest. Covers rent, deposits, utilities, lot rent, and application fees, paid directly to the landlord or utility. For Spokane County households displaced by the Spokane Complex fires with income at or below 120% of area median income. Start with the intake form on the page.
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Spokane Housing Authority — long-term housing intake list
For households with a long-term or permanent loss of their primary residence: add your household to the Housing Authority's affordable-housing intake list so staff can reach you as units open, plus rental search tools and relief contacts.
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Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)
Spokane's community-action agency for the long haul: housing assistance, energy help, essential home repair, and homelessness prevention.
Food and essentials
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Second Harvest Inland Northwest
Free food, no questions asked, through 250+ partner food banks and mobile markets across Eastern Washington and North Idaho, with a pantry locator.
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Catholic Charities Eastern Washington
Essential items, housing assistance, counseling, and longer-term recovery support for families affected by the fires.
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The Salvation Army Spokane Citadel
Hope Market food pantry plus transitional housing services.
222 E Indiana Ave, Spokane (509) 325-6810
Counseling, kids & emotional support
The weeks after the adrenaline fades are when the weight lands. Getting help for that is as practical as any grant application.
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Disaster Distress Helpline — call or text, 24/7
The national 24/7 crisis line for disaster survivors: trained counselors who understand post-fire stress, grief, and insomnia. Free and confidential.
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Extreme Weather Survivors — peer support from people who've been there
Free peer-to-peer mentorship: you're paired with someone who has rebuilt after their own fire or flood, plus a community with insurance advocates and recovery experts answering questions. English and Spanish.
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School help for displaced students — SPS HEART program
Spokane Public Schools' team for students without stable housing. Your kids can stay at their own school no matter where you're living while you rebuild, with enrollment help and transportation provided.
Know your rights
Rebuilding brings its own scams: unlicensed contractors, lowball offers on burned lots, and rental schemes. The resources below are free.
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Free legal help — Washington Law Help wildfire resources
Maintained by the Northwest Justice Project: plain-language help for renters, homeowners, and benefit applicants after a wildfire, including how to reach free civil legal aid.
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Report price gouging or a scam — WA Attorney General
Sharp rent, hotel, or supply price hikes aimed at fire victims can be pursued as unfair practices under the Consumer Protection Act. Use the consumer complaint form and attach screenshots.
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If your rental is damaged or uninhabitable
When a unit is tagged unsafe or uninhabitable, rent stops (and is refunded pro-rata), and the tenant has the right to end the tenancy immediately.
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Rent-increase limits in an existing tenancy
Within an existing tenancy, Washington caps rent increases (9.683% for 2026, with 90 days' written notice, and no increase in the first 12 months). The cap does not set the starting rent on a brand-new lease.
Watch out for:
- Contractors who knock on your door, ask for a large deposit up front, or can't show a Washington L&I registration. Check every one with the L&I lookup above before signing.
- Unsolicited cash offers on burned lots, especially lowball offers pressed with urgency. You never have to decide anything about your land while you're still sorting out insurance. Selling can also give up rebuilding breaks meant for owners at the time of the fire, like the proposed older-energy-code option.
- 'Public adjusters' who aren't licensed by the Washington Insurance Commissioner, or who want a large share of a claim you haven't disputed yet. The Commissioner's free line can check a license.
- Rental listings that demand a deposit before you can see the unit, or 'application fees' collected over payment apps.
How our team can help — free, always
We're a local real-estate team, which means we spend every day inside the housing market that families now have to rebuild in. Through the recovery, our commitment to anyone affected, client or not:
- Free help finding a rental while you rebuild. No fee, no commission, no obligation. We'll search, make calls, and connect you with landlords we know.
- Fair pricing, enforced on our side of the market. Any rental we assist with is at or below its pre-fire market rate, and if we see gouging we'll report it.
- We will never solicit owners of fire-damaged property. If you want advice about your land, your home, or an unsolicited offer someone else made you, come to us — we won't come to you.
- Free help documenting your property for insurance. Comparable-market data and valuation documentation for total-loss claims, at no charge. This is often where a claim is won or lost.
Call us at (509) 828 - 2783, or leave a note below — a person replies, not an automation. We serve everyone equally and follow fair-housing law in every placement we assist with.