The ESS Registration Process

The Earthquake Soft-Story (ESS) program provides homeowners up to $13,000 to strengthen their home with an earthquake retrofit and lessen the potential for earthquake damage.

Register Online

Registering for the ESS program is a simple process:

• When the registration period is open, come to this website and go to the Registration page.
• Complete a list of qualifying questions, such as: What is your ZIP Code? and What year was your house built?

  
  Important! Be sure to completely and accurately answer the qualifying questions to make sure you are an eligible applicant and that your house qualifies.  The homeowner is responsible for verifying the information is correct. Grants may not be paid for a completed retrofit if the house does not qualify.

• Would you like to know what to expect? The registration qualification questions are available for you to review.

• If your house qualifies, complete your contact information and submit your registration form before registration closes (incomplete forms will not be accepted).
• We encourage everyone to register online, but if you are mailing a paper registration form, the form must be postmarked on or before the registration closing date. You can request a paper registration form.
• Having an issue or have questions when registering? No problem, just call Customer Service at (877) 232-4300.
• As an accommodation to individuals that need to have a third-party representative complete their registration for them, have your representative complete and submit this Registration Authorization Form (PDF) with your registration.

Selection and Notification Process

Once registration closes, homeowners will be selected by random drawing from the submitted registration forms. Each selected application must be reviewed and approved by CRMP and FEMA.

During the selection and approval process, we will communicate with applicants and will be available to answer questions by email and phone. All homeowners who successfully registered for the ESS program will be notified by email whether they have been selected to participate, or whether they have been placed on the waitlist. Throughout the program, additional homeowners from the waitlist will be added if spaces become available. Being placed on the waitlist, however, does not guarantee eligibility or inclusion in future ESS grant programs.

Important! To remain eligible to receive an ESS grant, you must not obtain a permit or begin retrofit construction work before being accepted into the program.

• Sign up to receive email updates, and you will be notified when and where registration opens.