Submitted by the Office of Rick Larsen

Today, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Washington state, enabling Washington residents and communities to access critical federal relief from COVID-19. In a letter Friday, March 20, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Washington’s congressional delegation joined Governor Jay Inslee to urge President Trump to declare a major disaster for the state.

“A major disaster declaration helps Washington residents and communities access the critical federal resources needed to start recovering from the impacts of COVID-19,” said Larsen. “I am evaluating the declaration now and plan to participate in a Washington congressional delegation call with the State of Washington tomorrow and with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday. I will continue to be a strong advocate for COVID-19 relief for Washingtonians.”

As a result of the major disaster declaration, Washington state residents now qualify for individual federal assistance to begin the process of recovering from the effects of COVID-19. The declaration also provides communities with direct federal aid for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. On Friday, Washington lawmakers urged President Trump to authorize the full suite of IA as requested by Governor Inslee, which includes Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Care Management, Individuals and Households Program Assistance, Voluntary Agency Coordination and Mass Care and Emergency Assistance.

For a FEMA fact sheet on Individual Assistance programs, click here.

For a FEMA fact sheet on Public Assistance programs, click here.