Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, has asked FEMA and the Small Business Administration to extend key upcoming deadlines for federal disaster assistance.

Sherman, whose district includes Pacific Palisades, penned a letter to the federal agencies — backed by members of the California congressional delegation — on Monday, seeking an extension on the March 10 deadlines. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, whose district includes the Eaton fire footprint, joined as a lead co-signer.

“The March 10th deadlines for FEMA grants and SBA loans for those affected by the Los Angeles Fires are outrageously short,” Sherman said. “The Palisades Fire was only recently contained, and many households are still waiting to find out from their insurance companies about what damages will be covered.”

Sherman said it could take months before some families hear back from their insurance companies to even know if they need federal help.

A better application deadline would be to at least Dec. 31, he said.

The letter was sent to Cameron Hamilton, acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and to Everett Woodel, Jr., acting administrator Small Business Administration.

“We understand that extending the deadlines is easier when you receive a request from the governor, and we expect that you will receive such a request in short order,” Sherman wrote, on behalf of the delegation. “We also recognize that SBA usually follows FEMA’s lead in extending deadlines.”

Other signers included Reps. John Garamendi, Ted Lieu, Gil Cisneros, Norma Torres and Robert Garcia, among several others.