Through disaster relief administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), evacuees and victims of the wildfire in Los Angeles can get federal assistance to cover costs such as rent and medical bills.
Tens of thousands of residents had to leave their homes last week as two large wildfires tore across areas of the county, destroying homes, churches, schools, and other structures and killing at least 24 people. Many people are still evacuated, occasionally seeking temporary accommodation and shelter in hotels, motels, and loved ones’ houses.
In hard-hit locations like Altadena and Malibu, some are struggling with the loss of friends and family, while many are attempting to figure out what to do next as their neighborhoods and entire communities are left in ruins.
President Joe Biden declared a major disaster, and individuals impacted in LA County can get assistance from FEMA.
According to FEMA, even those with home insurance may qualify for some federal assistance, even if some aid is intended for those who lack insurance or are underinsured. On its website, the government dispels any myths or falsehoods regarding federal assistance and offers a list of rehabilitation advice.
FEMA’s Disaster Distress Helpline is available around-the-clock at 1-800-985-5990 for free crisis counseling and mental and emotional support.
At 1 p.m. PST on Tuesday, January 14, FEMA opened the two Disaster Recovery Centers listed below. Here is more information on the centers.
How much and what kind of federal aid is available?
Grant for Serious Needs Assistance: $770
For urgent needs and emergency supplies, FEMA is offering a one-time $770 grant that will cover the price of necessities including food, gas, water, first aid, diapers, and personal hygiene items. Each qualifying family is only eligible for one award.
These grants are given to anyone who have been relocated, need shelter, or have other emergency expenses due to the wildfires; they are not loans and do not need to be repaid. Within the first 30 days following the declaration of a disaster, applications must be submitted. With effect from January 7, Biden formally declared the LA flames a major catastrophe.
Federal housing assistance of up to $43,600
Rental assistance, reimbursement for hotel stays and other accommodation costs, and expenses for house repairs, rebuilding, and replacement are all covered by this FEMA aid. Applications must be submitted by March 10th.
FEMA regional administrator Bob Fenton stated that in certain situations, the state might offer further financial assistance. “The state adds $10,000 to the repair grant if someone receives a max grant,” Fenton explained.
According to Fenton, FEMA also offers temporary housing for up to 18 months if a wildfire victim is forced to leave their house for that period of time. Local officials will have to decide how the federal agency provides such housing, he said.
“Well, the city, county, and towns affected by the fires are in charge of making those decisions. However, there are other things we could do. We offer up to 14 days of lodging reimbursement as part of our displacement assistance,” Fenton stated. “We then provide rental assistance so individuals could go rent units on their own,” he stated. Additionally, we have leased additional units or provided direct lodging, including mobile homes. Those are all alternatives.
Up to $43,600 in federal funding for other necessities
This additional FEMA award covers not only housing assistance but also medical and funeral costs, moving and storage costs, childcare costs, vehicle repair and replacement costs, the cost of damaged or destroyed household objects, and other non-housing requirements. Applications must be submitted by March 10th.
A maximum of $43,600 can be awarded to each household for both this grant and the housing-related grant. Fenton advised anyone with insurance to apply with FEMA as quickly as possible after first contacting their insurance company.
Additionally, he stated that FEMA staff will always present themselves in a formal manner and that evacuees and victims of wildfires should be on the lookout for fraudulent attempts by people posing as FEMA employees. “I always say if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true,” Fenton stated.
How to apply for federal aid
According to the agency, FEMA assistance is largely intended for people without insurance or whose insurance does not cover their essential needs. In light of this, FEMA advises those with insurance to submit a claim as soon as possible and then be prepared to submit that coverage information when submitting an application for FEMA assistance.
Go to the Disaster aid application website to submit an application for FEMA aid.To find out if you qualify for aid, visit gov and enter your location details. The website in Spanish is available here.
Additionally, applications can be submitted over the phone or through the FEMA App. The FEMA Helpline is available in several languages and can be contacted at 1-800-621-3362.
According to the government agency, individuals who are impacted can receive a letter from FEMA in the mail, and if it states that they are “not approved” for assistance, it does not necessarily indicate that they have been turned down. The hotline can be contacted to handle any finalized insurance coverage determinations or other documentation that may be required.
Additionally, FEMA provides a brief instructional video that covers the application process here.
Aid is solely disbursed by the federal agency by check or direct deposit; no other methods are used.
“Los Angeles County residents and renters should know that FEMAdoes nothand out gift cards, vouchers or any other type of credit to guarantee assistance,” the FEMA website adds.
One of the following methods can be used to send FEMA any papers that must be included with an application:
Additionally, the state of California has developed its own webpage detailing federal and other resources available to victims of wildfires.