Ben Ray Luján

09/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/25/2024 16:39

Luján, Heinrich Secure Hermit’s Peak Claims Office Extension in Continuing Resolution

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after securing an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit's Peak Claims Office as part of the Continuing Resolution:

"Today, we voted for a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open and avoid a costly shutdown for millions of Americans. As part of this Continuing Resolution, the period to file claims with the Hermit's Peak Claims Office has been extended to December 20, 2024, which will give victims of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire additional time to apply for relief.

"But make no mistake, the job is not over yet. We will continue to work with our colleagues to deliver a long-term federal funding solution for the American people and keep the Hermit's Peak Claims Office open longer. We continue to encourage New Mexicans to apply for assistance as soon as possible."

The extension will run the length of the Continuing Resolution to December 20, 2024. In October 2023, Luján, Heinrich, and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation that would extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit's Peak Claims Office. Since the devastating wildfire, Luján, Heinrich, and the N.M. Delegation has delivered a total of $3.95 billion in federal funding for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire recovery.

New Mexicans can apply for assistance through the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act here.