If your home, belongings, or primary transportation were damaged in the 2026 Tok Fire, Alaska’s Individual Assistance program may be able to help with some of your disaster-related expenses.
But there’s an important deadline: applications must be submitted by October 19, 2026.
The state encourages survivors to start the application process even if they don’t have every document ready yet, so don’t wait until your paperwork is perfect before registering.
What Is the Tok Fire Individual Assistance Program?
This is an Alaska state disaster assistance program, not FEMA assistance.
Registration opened August 18, 2026, for qualifying disaster-related damages and emergency expenses from the Tok Fire in the Alaska Gateway Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), including Tok.
You may also hear the wildfire referred to as the Mukluk Fire.
The program can potentially help with eligible housing needs and other serious disaster-related expenses that aren’t covered by insurance or other available assistance.
Who May Qualify?
You may qualify if you experienced eligible disaster-related damage or a serious need connected to the declared Tok Fire and the loss occurred within the designated disaster area.
Assistance depends on your individual circumstances and documented unmet needs.
The program can potentially help with losses involving:
- Your primary residence;
- Essential personal property;
- Temporary housing;
- Primary transportation;
- Disaster-related medical or dental expenses;
- Certain funeral expenses; or
- Eligible moving, transportation, and storage costs.
Not every loss qualifies, and assistance isn’t guaranteed simply because you experienced damage.
What Help Is Available for Homeowners?
If you own and occupy your damaged home as your primary residence, Housing Assistance may help pay for eligible repairs needed to make essential living areas safe, sanitary, and functional.
This assistance isn’t intended for second homes, vacation properties, or other properties that don’t qualify as your primary residence.
If you’re seeking assistance with home repairs, Alaska requires repair estimates from a licensed contractor.
What Help Is Available for Renters?
Renters don’t receive grants to repair a home they don’t own, but they may qualify for other forms of assistance.
That can include help with eligible personal-property losses, temporary housing, and certain other disaster-related needs.
For eligible households whose primary residence is uninhabitable, temporary housing assistance may be available for up to:
- 3 months for renters; or
- 18 months from the disaster declaration date for homeowners.
Rental assistance is based on applicable HUD Fair Market Rent amounts and program rules.
The maximum period doesn’t necessarily mean every household will receive assistance for that entire length of time. Continued assistance depends on eligibility and the household’s circumstances.
Can the Program Help Replace a Vehicle?
Potentially, but there are important restrictions.
Vehicle assistance isn’t simply available for any damaged car.
Alaska’s Individual Assistance program may help repair or replace primary transportation when it was the household’s only means of transportation and an alternative isn’t available.
You’ll need to document the vehicle and disaster-related damage.
What Other Expenses Could Be Covered?
Depending on your circumstances, Other Needs Assistance may help with eligible expenses such as:
- Essential personal property;
- Disaster-related medical expenses;
- Disaster-related dental expenses;
- Certain funeral expenses;
- Primary transportation;
- Moving; and
- Storage.
Funeral assistance has additional eligibility requirements, including rules involving family members who were living in the home at the time of the disaster.
The state will determine which expenses qualify based on your individual case.
What If I Have Insurance?
Don’t assume having insurance means there’s no reason to apply.
If you’re insured, file your insurance claim promptly.
State disaster assistance generally can’t duplicate assistance available from insurance or another source, so you’ll need to disclose insurance coverage and other disaster assistance you’ve received or applied for.
However, Alaska says assistance may be available for an eligible insurance deductible in some circumstances.
The state may also require you to apply for other available government disaster assistance before state grant funds can be awarded.
What Documents Should I Gather?
Gather as much documentation as you reasonably can, including information that establishes your identity, residence, insurance coverage, damages, and expenses.
Depending on your situation, the state may request items such as:
- Photo identification and contact information;
- Proof that the damaged property was your primary residence;
- Insurance information;
- Photos of the damage;
- A detailed list of damaged or lost property;
- Vehicle information, if you’re requesting transportation assistance; and
- Repair estimates from a licensed contractor if you’re requesting assistance with eligible primary-residence repairs.
Proof of residence needs to establish your physical street address and meet the state’s requirements for the disaster period. Examples may include qualifying utility bills, photo identification, voter registration records, or rental agreements.
Follow your caseworker’s instructions about the specific documentation required for your claim.
And keep receipts and records for disaster-related expenses whenever possible.
What If I Don’t Have All My Documents Yet?
Apply anyway.
Alaska specifically tells survivors not to hesitate to begin the application process just because they don’t yet have information or documentation they think may be required.
Getting registered before the deadline is more important than waiting until you’ve assembled a perfect file.
You can then work through additional documentation requirements as your case progresses.
How Do I Apply?
You can register through Alaska’s Individual Assistance program.
You can also call the state’s Individual Assistance hotline:
1-844-445-7131
The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Alaska time.
When calling, be prepared to leave your contact information so someone can return your call if necessary.
Is This FEMA Assistance?
No.
This application is for Alaska’s state Individual Assistance program.
Don’t assume that applying for state assistance automatically registers you for any separate federal disaster program.
If federal Individual Assistance becomes available for this disaster, survivors may need to complete a separate federal application.
What About Business Losses?
This Individual Assistance program is designed to address qualifying household and personal disaster needs, not business losses.
If you experienced business-related damage, ask state or local disaster officials about other assistance that may be available for businesses.
Why Does the October 19 Deadline Matter?
The registration period for this disaster runs from August 18 through October 19, 2026.
Alaska warns that people who don’t apply before the registration deadline will likely be denied assistance.
That’s why you shouldn’t wait until every receipt, estimate, photograph, or other document is organized before beginning your application.
If you think you may qualify, register first and follow the state’s instructions for providing additional information.
Relief Recap
If you were affected by the 2026 Tok Fire in the Alaska Gateway REAA, including Tok, Alaska’s Individual Assistance program may be able to help with eligible disaster-related housing needs, essential belongings, primary transportation, medical or dental expenses, moving and storage, or other serious needs.
Homeowners and renters can qualify for different types of assistance, and insurance or other available resources can affect how much help the state provides.
Most importantly, apply by October 19, 2026.
You don’t need to wait until you have every document in hand before starting the process.
Apply through Alaska’s Individual Assistance program or call 1-844-445-7131.
For additional local assistance with food, housing, utilities, transportation, and other needs, use our Help Near Me tool.
