Red Cross financial assistance for wildfire victims goes underutilized

Red Cross financial assistance for wildfire victims goes underutilized. The development was reported by KXLY.com.

Red Cross financial assistance for wildfire victims: Latest Details

Spokane, Wash. — As wildfire survivors in the Spokane area work to rebuild their lives, a significant resource remains underutilized: financial assistance from the Red Cross.

While many support programs exist for people who lost their homes in the Old Trails Fire, the Red Cross reports that only 40 to 50 percent of eligible residents have actually applied for the financial aid being offered. The amount of assistance varies based on several factors, including family size.

One family who lost their home in Five Mile received $800 per day after submitting their application. MacKensie and Kory Aspaas lived in their home for five years before the Old Trails Fire forced them to evacuate while they were out of town. When they returned, they faced the daunting reality of starting over.