California Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program

California Earthquake Authority / FEMA

Available Disaster Relief

About This Program

Provides grants to homeowners to strengthen their houses against earthquake damage. Eligible homes are wood-frame houses built before 1980 with crawl spaces. The program covers foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing to reduce earthquake risk.

Grant covers up to $3,000 of eligible seismic retrofit costs

Official source site checked live on 2026-06-17.

Data last verified 2026-06-09. How we verify our data.

This is a national program. In Santa Barbara, CA, you can stack it with local programs like these:

Key Details

  • Up to $3,000 for seismic strengthening
  • For wood-frame homes built before 1980
  • Covers foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing
  • Enrollment opens by ZIP code periodically
  • Must use registered contractor

How to Apply

Get free help applying Visit Official Program Page Track this program

(877) 232-4300

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This grant requires a licensed contractor

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Your application paperwork

Earthquake Brace and Bolt (EBB) gives California homeowners a grant to seismically retrofit an older house by bolting the home to its foundation and bracing the cripple walls. The base grant is up to 3,000 dollars, and income-eligible homeowners can apply for an additional grant of up to 7,000 dollars. You register during an open enrollment window, and the program is run by the California Residential Mitigation Program.

Steps to apply

  1. Check that your home qualifies: a wood-framed house built before 1980 with a raised foundation and cripple walls, in an eligible ZIP code.
  2. Sign up for notifications and register on the Earthquake Brace and Bolt site when the enrollment window opens.
  3. Answer the qualifying questions and receive your eligibility determination.
  4. Hire a contractor to do the brace-and-bolt retrofit, then submit documentation to receive the grant (apply for the supplemental income-based grant if eligible).
Get the official form

Documents you will likely need

  • Proof you own and live in the home (and its year built and foundation type).
  • Your home's ZIP code to confirm it is in an eligible area.
  • For the supplemental grant, proof your household income is at or below the program limit.
  • Contractor documentation and photos of the completed retrofit.
Download this checklist (PDF)

Requirements vary by program and locality. Confirm the exact rules on the official program page. We can help you prepare your paperwork, but you submit it yourself.

Deadline: Enrollment opens periodically by ZIP code

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