OLYMPIA, WA — Washington residents whose homes were damaged during December’s historic flooding can now apply for state assistance to help meet immediate recovery needs, according to the Washington Emergency Management Division.
The flooding, caused by a powerful atmospheric river event between December 5 and December 22, 2025, prompted a statewide emergency declaration and the activation of Washington’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program. The program provides Household Needs Grants to eligible residents whose primary residences were destroyed or seriously damaged by floodwaters.
Currently, residents in King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties are eligible to apply, though additional counties may be added as damage assessments continue. To qualify, applicants must earn 80 percent or less of the area median gross income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and demonstrate that floodwaters reached electrical outlets on the first floor of their home.
Household Needs Grant amounts vary by household size:
- One-person households may receive up to $375
- Households with two to four people may receive up to $750
- Households with five or more people may receive up to $1,125
The state is partnering with the Salvation Army to administer applications and connect residents with additional recovery resources. Applicants must first submit an Unmet Needs Assessment Form, which does not guarantee funding but allows case managers to review individual situations and identify available assistance.
Applications can be submitted online at sahelp.org, by phone at 833-719-4981, or in person at a Disaster Assistance Center within the applicant’s county of residence. Additional documentation will be required to complete the application process.
State officials encourage residents affected by the December flooding to apply as soon as possible while recovery efforts continue statewide.
