Assistance is Still Available for Wildfire Survivors After the Registration Deadline
Assistance is Still Available for Wildfire Survivors After the Registration Deadline LOS ANGELES – FEMA is still working in Los Angeles County to help residents recover from the LA wildfires. The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance has passed, but Disaster Recovery Centers remain open and the deadline to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) to participate in the federally funded debris removal program has been extended to April 15. Survivors who registered prior to the deadline are encouraged to keep in touch with FEMA to continue to update their application as their situation changes and to work through the
Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Tops $2 Billion
Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Tops $2 Billion LOS ANGELES – As of March 25, just over two months since the Los Angeles County wildfires were declared a major disaster by the president, FEMA and its federal partners have made more than $2 billion available to disaster survivors. Federal assistance to eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses, in the form of FEMA grants and low-interest SBA Disaster Loans, has topped $2 billion. That number includes: $101 million in FEMA housing and other needs assistance. $2 billion in home and business loan offers from the SBA, the largest source of federal disaster
Spend Your FEMA Wildfire Recovery Funds Wisely
Spend Your FEMA Wildfire Recovery Funds Wisely LOS ANGELES – Remember to use your FEMA assistance funds only for approved disaster-related expenses. FEMA’s notification letter will specify the appropriate uses for your disaster assistance. Spending the funds for something other than their intended purpose may result in repayment to FEMA. FEMA sends each applicant a notification letter informing them of the types of assistance they are eligible to receive, and the amounts of aid FEMA is providing for each eligible need. These may include: Repairs to make a home safe, sanitary, and secure to live in. Rental assistance to temporarily
Crisis Counseling Assistance is Available to LA County Wildfire Survivors
Crisis Counseling Assistance is Available to LA County Wildfire Survivors LOS ANGELES – If you are feeling overwhelmed by emotions, stress, or hopelessness, you are not alone. Help is available for disaster survivors experiencing emotional distress following the wildfires. The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program is a federally funded program administered by FEMA which has been activated for disaster survivors in Los Angeles County. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is working with FEMA through an interagency agreement to provide crisis counseling with support services assistance for those impacted by the fires. If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health distress related to the wildfires, do not hesitate to reach out for mental health support and resources 24/7. Visit Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health or call the mental health helpline at 800-854-7771. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health does not discriminate on the basis of disability
Disaster Recovery Centers Remain Open to Provide Wildfire Disaster Assistance
Disaster Recovery Centers Remain Open to Provide Wildfire Disaster Assistance LOS ANGELES –Los Angeles County wildfire survivors who need assistance can stop by a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for disaster assistance, speak with a FEMA representative, speak to representatives from other state and federal agencies, and receive updates on their FEMA application. Both DRCs remain open until further notice. DRCs are located at: UCLA Research Park West 10850 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 Open Mon. – Sat.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Altadena Disaster Recovery Center 540 West Woodbury Rd. Altadena, CA 91001 Open Mon. – Sat.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Wildfire Disaster Assistance
FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Wildfire Disaster Assistance LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County homeowners and renters who suffered uninsured or underinsured damage to their property from the January wildfires have a few weeks left to apply for federal disaster assistance. FEMA has extended the application deadline to Monday, March 31, 2025. FEMA assistance for individuals affected by the wildfire can cover rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits. Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot duplicate insurance benefits or other sources of assistance. To apply with FEMA: Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov (fastest option); Use the FEMA App (available at the Apple App Store or Google Play); Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
One Month Later: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Nears $700 Million
One Month Later: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Nears $700 Million LOS ANGELES – On January 7, when wildfires first struck Los Angeles County and adjacent areas, more than 200,000 Californians were evacuated. State and local governments responded quicky to fight the blazes, employing more than 2,000 pieces of firefighting equipment – 80-plus aircraft, 200-plus bulldozers and more – which were soon bolstered by the governor’s activation of 2,500 National Guard troops and a request for a federal disaster declaration. Delivery of Federal Resources On January 8, the Los Angeles County wildfires were declared a major disaster by the president, and
Assistance Available for Self-Employed Wildfire Survivors
Assistance Available for Self-Employed Wildfire Survivors LOS ANGELES – Self-employed individuals in Los Angeles who became unemployed as a direct result of the wildfires, may apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and/or U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans. FEMA Individual Assistance FEMA may be able to provide funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment required for your job. This help is available to a wide variety of applicants, including artists, musicians, mechanics, and many other occupations. Eligible Occupational Tools Occupational tools are tools and equipment required for self-employment or not provided by an employer but
FEMA Completes 167 Temporary Homes in Lahaina for Wildfire Survivors
FEMA Completes 167 Temporary Homes in Lahaina for Wildfire Survivors LAHAINA, Maui – A community of 167 brightly colored temporary homes for wildfire survivors was completed this week on a Lahaina hillside where no housing existed a few months ago. The final modular home at the Kilohana group housing site, developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was installed and is ready for occupancy. “It couldn’t have been done without everyone working together, being creative and solving problems,” said Forrest Lanning, FEMA’s joint housing task force leader. “This was a completely new type of housing project for FEMA, and we
Possible Rainfall Poses New Concerns for Wildfire Survivors
Possible Rainfall Poses New Concerns for Wildfire Survivors LOS ANGELES – Wildfires have burned through more than 50,000 acres of Los Angeles County since January 7. Now, weather authorities are forecasting possible rain showers for the weekend. It may be a good time for residents of areas impacted by the wildfires to prepare for the hazardous by-products of fire and rain: flooding, debris flows and mudslides. Large-scale Wildfires Can Lead to Flooding and Debris Flows Where intense fires occur, soils can develop a top layer that repels water due to charred remnants of organic material. Normally, live vegetation sucks up rain, reducing runoff