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4 minutes ago13 min read

NEWS ALERT: Southern California fire victims should start filing claims now; here is a list of immediate national, state and local resources to help

By ONME Newswire


National Resources:

Government will cover 100% of disaster response costs: Biden

Biden has vowed the federal government will cover 100% of the disaster response costs for the next six months connected to the fires, which have claimed at least 24 lives.


Biden: Govt. to give $770 to each resident affected by LA wildfires

  • At least 1,800 National Guard troops have been deployed

  • The federal government will cover disaster response costs for 6 months

  • FEMA administrator says local officials were not unprepared


FEMA

Over $8.4M disaster assistance funds have been approved to individuals & households in California.


If your primary home was affected by the fires, FEMA may be able to help you cover certain costs – like paying for essential items, finding a place to stay, replacing personal property or making basic repairs to your home. However, FEMA assistance is designed to help you if you do not have insurance or if your insurance policies don’t cover basic needs. If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible and be ready to provide your coverage information when applying to FEMA. 


#LosAngelesFires survivors can start their recovery by applying online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362. Help is available in multiple languages.


If you have experienced a loss during these fires, please file a FEMA claim so they can help begin the process of securing you the aid you deserve.


Disaster Resource Centers will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 and then starting Wednesday, Jan. 15, will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:


Westside

  • UCLA Research Park West, 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles


Eastside

  • Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena

Residents may also apply for disaster assistance by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. For a full list of FEMA resources, please visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4856



Participating LA County Libraries: La Cañada Flintridge Library, La Crescenta Library, Live Oak Library, San Fernando Library, San Gabriel Library, Temple City Library, and West Hollywood Library. For more info visit, lacountylibrary.org/fema/. 


State Resources:

Governor Newsom is proposing California provide at least $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts and to jumpstart recovery efforts for Los Angeles. The funding will support recovery and cleanup, additional wildfire preparedness, and reopening schools shuttered by the fire


The Governor’s proclamation signed today expands the scope of the current special session, allowing the Legislature to consider and approve the new funding requests without delay. Specifically, the Governor is requesting the Legislature: 

  • Boost emergency response funding: Provide $1 billion to augment state emergency response funding available to promptly fund costs, which should be eligible for reimbursement by FEMA for emergency response, cleanup, and recovery of areas affected by the January 2025 emergency conditions in the Los Angeles area;

  • Help rebuild schools faster: Provide funding for technical assistance to local educational agencies regarding efforts to rebuild and repair schools;

  • Increase preparedness: Accelerate the availability of $1.5 billion in funding for greater preparedness against the threats of firestorms, windstorms, and other natural disasters — adding to the response and recovery funding provided by the federal government.


Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.  


Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • By calling 800-621-3362

  • By using the FEMA smart phone application

  • Assistance is available in over 40 languages

  • If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.


Local Resources:

Help and Resources:  Residents can also call 211 for shelter, social and health service information.


Area restaurants offering free meals to evacuees and first responders:

  • Blaze Pizza - Glendale: Free 11-inch pizzas in four cheese, pepperoni, Red Vine and Herbivore. Located at 3210 Glendale Galleria.

  • Crustacean, 468 N Bedford Dr., in Beverly Hills

  • Dtown Pizzeria, 8424 Santa Monica Blvd #D, in West Hollywood

  • Dudley Market, 9 Dudley Ave, in Venice

  • Fiorelli Pizza, 1039 Abbot Kinney Blvd., in Venice

  • La Sorted's, 2847 Sunset Blvd., in Los Angeles

  • Norms, participating locations

  • Sonoritas Prime Tacos, 2004 Sawtelle Blvd. (West LA) and 1050 Flower St. (DTLA)

  • Sora Craft Kitchen, 1109 E 12th St., in Los Angeles

  • Sunday Gravy, 1122 Centinela Ave., in Inglewood

  • Yeastie Boys, multiple locations


  • Fatburger Food trucks - Over the next several days, Fatburger, via its food truck, the "Fatmobile," will be serving up 10,000 meals to first responders and evacuees at first responder sites and shelters


  • California-born pizza brand, Round Table Pizza, is showing its support for first responders fighting the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Starting tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 11, and through Thursday, January 16, first responders can visit any of the chain's 50 plus Los Angeles area restaurants and receive a free Personal Cheese Pizza.


  • Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd (located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd in LA at the Hollywood & Highland Center) is offering a complimentary burger or chicken sandwich meal, soft beverage, and fries to all first responders throughout this weekend, providing meals to those in need through World Central Kitchen while supplies last, and hosting a drop-off for emergency items to be donated to World Central Kitchen and the Red Cross for collective pickup. Items requested include (but are not limited to) baby formula, diapers, toiletry essentials, dry goods, and clothing.


  • Doordash will waive all fees for orders made in Los Angeles during this time.


Housing/Shelter

To support residents who have been displaced from their homes or forced to evacuate by the wildfires, Airbnb is working with 211 LA, which serves Los Angeles County, to offer free, temporary housing.


Stays are completely free for guests and are funded by Airbnb and the generosity of Airbnb hosts, many of whom offer their home for free or at a discount through Airbnb.org.

Additionally, Big Bear is offering deeply discounted lodging and four (4) $25 dining vouchers for any Snow Summit or Bear Mountain on-site eateries. For more details, visit BigBear.com.


To check a list of available rooms and special rates, click here.


Visit Santa Barbara and Visit Greater Palm Springs have pulled together a list of hotels in those respective areas that are offering discounts to LA evacuees.


The local hotel association is maintaining a list of hotels in and around L.A. with available space, including whether and what kind of discounts they're offering to fire victims and evacuees


Many YMCA locations are acting as temporary evacuation sites and offering services including:

  • Shelter and showers

  • Childcare services for first responders and displaced families (5 years & up). Click here for details on childcare programs.

  • Basic necessities (charging phones, fresh water, etc.)

  • Mental health support or resource guidance

  • Safe spaces to park


Additionally, centers will serve as distribution points for emergency supplies. Click here to learn more.

Locations:

  • Westchester Family YMCA, 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Westchester, CA 90045

  • Culver-Palms YMCA, 4500 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230

  • Koreatown YMCA Center for Community Well-Being, 433 S. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles 90020

  • Ketchum-Downtown YMCA, 401 S. Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 9007

  • Anderson Munger Family YMCA, 4301 W. Third Street. Los Angeles 90020

  • Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, 2900 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023

  • Mid-Valley Family YMCA, 6901 Lennox Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91405

  • North Valley Family YMCA at Porter Ranch, 11336 Corbin Ave. Northridge, CA 91326

  • West Valley Family YMCA, 18810 Vanowen St. Reseda, CA 91335

  • East Valley Family YMCA, 5142 Tujunga Ave. North Hollywood, CA 91601

  • YMCA of Burbank, 321 E. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91502


Mental Health

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health crisis or considering suicide, call or text 988. You can also click here to use 988 Lifeline Chat.


In cases of immediate danger, call 9-1-1.


The Los Angeles County ACCESS Center is open and operational 24/7 as the entry point for mental health services, information and referrals. Call 1-800-854-7771.


You can also dial the Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 at 800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746.


Innerworld is offering a free three-month membership. Their 24/7 mental health platform is available to support those who have been affected by the wildfires.


If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.


The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a Disaster Distress Helpline for disaster victims experiencing anxiety, stress, or other emotional distress. Callers can talk with a trained counselor 24/7 in multiple languages, (800) 985-5990


Transportation

Lyft is offering two rides up to $25 each ($50 total) for Los Angeles residents impacted by wildfires. Use code CAFIRERELIEF25 now through Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m.


The code is valid for up to 500 riders and is being offered as part of the Lyft Up Disaster Response program.


LA Metro has temporarily suspended fares because of the emergency. All rail lines are running their regular service. Find the latest service alerts here. LA Metro also has a map of donation and evacuation centers, animal care centers, and other resources near Metro lines.


Evacuees can redeem a free Uber ride up to $40 by applying the promo code “WILDFIRE25” in the Wallet section of their Uber app before requesting a ride to a designated shelter location. Shelter locations valid for free Uber rides include Pasadena Civic Auditorium at 300 E. Green St. in Pasadena, the Westwood Recreation Center at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Los Angeles, El Camino Real Charter High School at 5440 Valley Circle Blvd. in Woodland Hills and the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center at 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima. Each user can redeem up to two free trips through Jan. 15. Uber noted that driver earnings will not be affected by the promotion.


Self-Storage

Those impacted by the wildfires can get 30 days of free U-Haul self-storage or U-Box container rentals at one of 92 locations:

U-Haul Co. of Fresno (Bakersfield): 559-266-5134

U-Haul Co. of Los Angeles East: 626-859-4508Locations in Baldwin Park, City of Industry, Covina, El Monte, Glendora, Los Angeles, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Whittier

U-Haul Co. of Los Angeles South: 424-329-5296Locations in Bellflower, Gardena, Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, Torrance

U-Haul Co. of Los Angeles West: 310-532-9503Locations in Cudahy, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Santa Monica

U-Haul Co. of North Orange County: 714-525-4717Locations in Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin, Westminster

U-Haul Co. of Riverside: 951-485-2007Locations in Cathedral City, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Moreno Valley, Riverside

U-Haul Co. of San Bernardino: 909-885-4378Locations in Apple Valley, Barstow, Fontana, Ontario, Pomona, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Victorville

U-Haul Co. of San Fernando Valley: 661-298-8222Locations in Altadena, Burbank, Canyon Country, Glendale, Lancaster, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Pasadena

U-Haul Co. of Van Nuys/San Luis Obispo: 818-988-7008Locations in Agoura Hills, Chatsworth, Lompoc, North Hills, Northridge, Oxnard, Panorama City, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, Ventura


Disability & Disaster Hotline (Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies)

Provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities and their families with immediate disaster-related needs.

Telephone Communications

Now through Wednesday, Jan. 15, T-Mobile is offering unlimited talk, text and data for T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless customers who do not have these services as part of their current plan.


These services are being made available to customers in Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles, Palisades, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.


Community Resources

The MALAN Fire & Wind Store Resources spreadsheet contains up-to-the-minute locations opening their doors to those impacted, in areas including Agoura Hills, Arcadia, Azusa, Bakersfield, Burbank, Chino, City of Industry, Covina, Crenshaw, Glendale, Greater Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Koreatown, Laguna Hills, Lawndale, Long Beach, Marina del Rey, Miracle Mile, Montebello, Montrose, Northridge, Oxnard, Pacoima, Palmdale, Panorama City, Pasadena, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Silverlake, Skid Row, Ventura, West Adam, Woodland Hills.


Replacing documents

L.A. County residents directly impacted by fires can request property and vital records (i.e., birth, death, marriage) free of charge to help with recovery efforts.


Childcare

  • YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is opening its locations that aren't affected by the fires for temporary shelter, showers, basic amenities, and mental health support. They have also teamed up with L.A. Unified School District to provide childcare services for essential workers and affected families until schools reopen. Register on their website.

  • L.A. County is offering free day camps for children ages 5-17 from homes under mandatory evacuation or otherwise significantly impacted by the fires. Monday through Friday from Jan. 13-31. More information and registration here.


County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation 

To support families impacted by the Eaton Fire, the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will host Care Camps to provide youth and teens with a supportive space for fun and recreation. The camps will run from Monday, January 13, to Friday, January 31.  


Daytime Centers

Several community centers are offering space to rest, work, charge your phone, stock up on basic supplies, and breathe clean air during daytime hours:


Family reunification assistance

  • If you need assistance locating or connecting with someone impacted by the wildfires, or you want to inform your family of your safety, the Red Cross may be able to help. Complete this Red Cross Inquiry form or contact the Red Cross at (800) 675-5799


Sign up for alerts


Price gouging


School closures


Evacuation centers


For animals/pets


Utilities & Public Works

Water
Power & Gas
Hazards

  • Safety tips for downed power lines (SCE)

  • Report traffic signal outages or request removal of downed tree branches or debris:


Open Air Worker Emergency Fund 

During the ongoing wildfire emergency in Los Angeles County, Inclusive Action has launched a new emergency fund to help outdoor workers – street vendors, landscapers, and recyclers – impacted by the fires. 

Through this fund, impacted outdoor workers can apply for one-time cash assistance support of $500. Recipients will receive cash payments on a first-come, first-served basis, and as funding allows. 

To be eligible for funding, community members must meet all of the following qualifications: 

  • Live or work in areas directly impacted by the fires 

  • Primarily work outdoors, (e.g. as a street vendor, landscape worker, recycler, etc.) 

  • Have experienced a loss of income/property/belongings due to fires 

Visit www.inclusiveaction.org/workeraid to learn more and apply. 


Emergency Zero-Interest Loans (Jewish Free Loan Association)

Emergency loans to help with the costs of evacuating, such as hotel or motel rooms, short-term rentals, and travel. Zero-interest, zero-fee loans of up to $15,000 are available. Click here to learn more and apply.


Federal Disaster Loans (U.S. Small Business Administration)

The SBA can provide disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes.

  • Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace damaged real estate and personal property, including cars.

  • Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to repair or replace damaged property, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment.

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Working capital loans to help small businesses and nonprofits meet their financial obligations


Insurance Claim and Recovery Help (United Policyholders)

Guides and resources for homeowners impacted by the fires.


Office of CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Insurance Support Workshop 

The Office of CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will be hosting FREE workshops to support LA residents affected by the recent wildfires on Saturday, January 18 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Santa Monica College in the Performing Arts Center East Wing: 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. Experts will be available for one-on-one consultations. To schedule an appointment please call 1-800-927-4357. More info at insurance.ca.gov.


Misfortune and Calamity Property Tax Relief 

If your property was damaged or destroyed by the windstorms or wildfires you may qualify for temporary property tax relief through the LA County Assessor’s Office Misfortune & Calamity Property Tax Relief. For more information visit assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief or call (213) 974-3211. 


Health & Medical Care

Prescription Drugs & Medical Supplies  

  • Find open pharmacies at healthcareready.org/rxopen

  • Medi-Cal members may be able to get a 72-hour refill for prescription drugs when a Federal emergency is declared and may get a 100-day supply of most prescription drugs before disasters. After disasters and power shutoffs, pharmacies must give the full amount needed immediately.

  • Medicare Part D Plans must lift some limits for prescription drug benefits and allow out-of-network access when drugs are unavailable from network pharmacies.

  • Uninsured survivors can get prescription drugs and supplies via the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. To find pharmacies in this program, call (855) 793-7470.


Type 1 Diabetes: Where to get your supplies 

  • Fill out this form if you need Type 1 Diabetes supplies.


Free Non-Emergency Virtual Care (Teladoc)

Free, 24/7 virtual medical appointments for non-emergency illnesses. Additionally, those who may need help with authorization for non-narcotic drugs can also get assistance. The free services are for first responders, Southern California residents and anyone else who may be affected by the fires. Call 1-855-225-5032.


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