Southern California Wildfire Resources

Southern California Wildfire Resources
With the current wildfires and windstorms affecting Southern California, we’re sharing resources for people with disabilities. This information has been compiled by DRC's Disaster Resilience Program.
Disability Rights California Emergency Preparedness resources: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/resources/emergency-preparedness.
Employment
If you are unable to work as a result of the wildfires, you may be able to receive wage replacement. You may qualify for unemployment, disability, or paid family leave benefits:
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance - Apply if you lost your job or can’t work due to the fires.
- Disability - Apply if you were injured due to the fires and can’t work.
- Paid Family Leave - Apply if you need time off to care for family and can’t work.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
- Local Assistance Centers & Disaster Recovery Centers available to the public from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. More info: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/recovery-centers/
Financial Assistance
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and families affected by the Southern California disaster. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes recover from declared disasters. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
- 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 for a Emergency Zero-Interest Loan.
- For workers and self-employed individuals who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Now Available for Los Angeles County Workers Affected by California Wildfires and Severe Winds. Benefit claims must be filed by March 10, 2025. Applications can be made in person at Disaster Recovery Centers or by phone.
- Disaster CalFresh Benefits are available to provide additional food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by the fires. The LA Regional Food Bank maintains a list of available food distribution areas for those impacted by the fires.
Housing
- American Red Cross. Find Open Shelters and Disaster Relief ServicesIf an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, or disrupted your access to essential services, the Red Cross may be able to help. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html?srsltid=AfmBOooYiPq1jD2dA3TT0vMpfBI2Up90guht9R1EuG9bAtwKhb10VFqC
- Temporary Housing (Maravilla Foundation): Free emergency housing may be available in East Los Angeles, Lancaster, and Panorama City. Call (323) 869-4600 for more information.
Healthcare
- The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) guidance and contact information for Medi-Cal members: Emergency and Disaster Assistance Questions & Answers webpage.
- US Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Assists individuals whose communication devices have been lost or damaged due to a federally declared disaster.
- To apply or learn more go to https://aacdisasterrelief.recovers.org/
- L.A. Care health plan - Service Updates for L.A. Care Members Los Angeles County Wildfires. https://www.lacare.org/members/health-news-advisories/los-angeles-wildfires-2025-member-services-updates
- The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) - Plan members impacted by the wildfires in Southern California can continue to access all medically necessary health care services, including prescription drugs. https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/Resources/Newsroom/PressReleases/January9,2025.aspx
Humanitarian Aid
- Off-The-Grid Missions - Currently Responding in Los Angeles County for Deaf and Disabled people Affected by the Wildfires. https://www.offthegridmissions.org/
- The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) - The Partnership’s Disability & Disaster Hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, families, allies, and organizations assisting disabled disaster survivors and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs. https://disasterstrategies.org/hotline/
Indigenous Language Videos
Listos California has over 60 indigenous language videos available on topics ranging from general disaster preparedness, evacuations, storms, floods, and 16 new videos focused on wildfire and wildfire smoke safety in 7 different indigenous languages.
Insurance
United Policyholders – 2025 California Wildfires – Insurance Claim and Recovery Help https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2025cawildfires/
Mental Health
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Supports survivors, family members, responders, and recovery workers affected by wildfires and other disasters.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Wildfire Resources.- The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) - Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
- Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”
- For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.
- Disaster Mental Health America https://www.mhanational.org/disaster
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAIMI) - Helping Others Through Catastrophic Stress https://www.nami.org/advocate/helping-others-through-catastrophic-stress/
- If you have a medical or mental health emergency (due to suicidal/homicidal ideations or urges to self-injure), please call 988 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Additional Local County Mental Health 24-Hour Crisis Intervention Numbers can be found at https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/MHPContactList.aspx
- Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.
- Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
- WhatsApp at 443-SUPPORT
Tax Relief
- Individuals in Los Angeles County impacted by the fires may qualify for a postponement to file, and pay income taxes until October 15, 2025. Governor Newsom also extended property tax deadlines for people that live in communities impacted by the LA fires.
More extensive list of resources on the Legal Aid Foundation of LA site that is being updated regularly: https://lafla.org/los-angeles-fire-emergency/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-8




