Palisades Fire Major Disaster Declaration

FEMA: The Administration has approved a major disaster declaration for the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County. The declaration provides a number of programs to assist individuals, households and businesses, along with assistance for public agencies and selected non-profits that have participated in response efforts. Anyone impacted by the fires - families, volunteers, employers or employees facing challenges from these fires - should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by going online at www.disasterassistance.gov. 

Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance are Available Palisades Fire Survivors in Los Angeles County

If you have an immediate or serious emergency need because of the January 8 Palisades Fire, you may qualify for FEMA’s Serious Needs Assistance (SNA) program: It provides immediate critical needs assistance up to $770 for essential items, displacement assistance for up to 14 days, possible rental assistance for the long term displaced, and assistance grants. Start by applying with the number or on-line (1-800-621-FEMA).

In addition, FEMA’s Displacement Assistance (DA) program offers eligible Californians up to two weeks of funds to help with housing needs if your home is uninhabitable because of the storm. This money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family or friends, or other available options.

Both SNA and DA benefits are in addition to other federal disaster assistance you may be eligible for and require a home inspection to confirm the eligibility. 

Immediate or serious needs are lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.

SNA is available to eligible survivors whose fire damaged primary residence is in Los Angeles County who apply for FEMA assistance within the first 30 days after the disaster was declared: on January 8, 2025.

You may be eligible for Serious Needs and Displaced Assistance if:

You complete a FEMA application;

- FEMA can confirm your identity;

- You or someone in your home is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen

- The home where you live most of the year is in Los Angeles County;

- FEMA confirms the disaster damage from a home inspection or your documentation;

- You tell FEMA you are displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to the disaster on your application; and

- You have applied for FEMA assistance while Serious Needs Assistance is available.

If your situation has change, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).
 

FEMA Disaster Assistance

All individuals who were impacted by the Palisades Fire should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov as soon as possible.

 

The Administration has issued a major disaster declaration for the regions impacted by the Palisades Fire, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts to areas, which has displaced many families and destroyed thousands of homes. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the primary federal agency tasked with helping individuals, businesses, and public entities recover after a disaster. All individuals impacted by the fires should register through FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov. 

 

FEMA individual assistance allows homeowners to qualify for grant money and services to people in the declared disaster area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are underinsured or not covered by insurance. 

How to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance

All individuals who were impacted by the Palisades Fire should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov as soon as possible.

Individuals who may be eligible for individual assistance should apply through one of the following options: 

• Apply by phone to FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time seven days a week until further notice.  

• You can also apply online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

• By smartphone or tablet, use https://www.fema.gov/ 

Please have the following information available when you call: 

• A phone number and a reliable alternate in case FEMA needs to call you back; 

• Address of the damaged property; 

• Social Security number; 

• Bank account information (or direct deposit information);

• Insurance information (if you have insurance); 

• Brief description of damages; 

• Current mailing address; and 

• Pen and paper to write down your registration number. 

Government disaster assistance only covers basic needs and usually will not compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. 

Disaster-related assistance may include: 

• Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable;
• Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items;
• Unemployment payments for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and do not qualify for state benefits (self-employed);
• Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance;
• Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; or

Advisory assistance for legal veterans’ benefits and social security matters.

All individuals who were impacted by the [Fire Name] should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov as soon as possible.

Do I have to register with FEMA to get help? Yes, with very few exceptions, if you want federal assistance you must register with FEMA, either by telephone (1-800-621-FEMA (3362)) or online (www.DisasterAssistance.gov). You will need your FEMA registration number for future reference. 

What is the difference between FEMA and the SBA? FEMA coordinates the Federal Government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters. SBA, on the other hand, is the Federal Government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339). 

 

Where can I find updated information from FEMA? For a three-step Disaster Assistance Process and recent news on disaster response and recovery, please visit http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance.

Access to Medical Care and Medication

During a disaster, please check for information from both your Medicare plan and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Rules for getting health care or prescription drugs may change for a short time when a declared emergency or disaster happens in your area. 

• If you lost your plan membership card or it’s damaged and/or don’t know your plan’s phone number, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get your plan’s contact information (TTY 1-877-486-2048).

   

• Please review the following guide from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for more information on accessing your health care and medication: getting-care-and-drugs-in-a-disaster-or-emergency.pdf

• Spanish version: Spanish-getting-care-and-drugs-in-a-disaster-or-emergency.pdf

Unemployment Assistance & Replacing Lost Documents

Unemployment assistance: People who are out of work due to the fires may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can file for unemployment benefits online at https://edd.ca.gov/. You can also file by phone, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm by calling:

• English: 1-800-300-5616
• Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
• Chinese (Cantonese): 1-800-547-3506
• Chinese (Mandarin): 1-866-303-0706
• Vietnamese: 1-800-547-2058

Replacing Lost Documents:

If you’ve lost important documents or identification in the fires, many can be replaced. You can learn more about how to replace these common documents by contacting the agencies directly:

• California Driver’s License:
  • Phone: 800-777-0133
  • Visit a California DMV office to complete an application. Replacement license forms must be delivered in person.
• Green cards:              
  • Phone: 800-375-5283
  • Website: www.uscis.gov   
• Medicare cards:          
  • Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778[MA1] 
  • Website: www.ssa.gov/medicare  
• Military records:        
  • Phone: 866-272-6272
  • Website: www.archives.gov/contact
• Passport:                    
  • Phone:1-877-487-2778; 888-874-7793 (TTY)
  • Website: www.travel.state.gov 
• Social Security Card:  
  • Phone: 800-772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778
  • Website: www.ssa.gov
• U.S. Savings Bonds:   
  • Phone: 1-844-284-2676
  • Website: www.treasurydirect.gov
• U.S. tax returns:         
  • Phone: 800-829-1040
  • Website: www.irs.gov