How do I apply for wildfire assistance in California?

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov.

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Table of Contents

1. How to Apply for Wildfire Assistance in California After the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

3. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

4. Help with your Mortgage or Residence

5. Direct Financial Assistance for Owner and Renters

6. American Red Cross Immediate Financial Assistance

7. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans

8. Conclusion

How to Apply for Wildfire Assistance in California After the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

The devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles in January 2025, including the Palisades Fire, Altadena Fire, Eaton Fire, Malibu Fire, Topanga Fire, and Hurst Fire, have left many homeowners in urgent need of assistance. If you or someone you know has been affected by these fires, several resources are available to help with immediate needs, rebuilding, and long-term recovery.

For homeowners struggling with fire insurance claims, it may also be beneficial to consult our fire insurance lawyer or our fire damage insurance claim lawyer to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.

This guide outlines the steps to apply for wildfire assistance, the agencies involved, and the various forms of aid available.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial aid and other forms of assistance to individuals affected by disasters. Homeowners, renters, and businesses impacted by wildfires may qualify for relief.

Who Is Eligible for FEMA Assistance?

You may qualify for FEMA assistance if:

Your home was damaged or destroyed by the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, or Topanga Fire, among others.
You lost personal belongings due to the disaster.
You need temporary housing assistance because your home is uninhabitable.
You have medical, dental, or funeral expenses as a result of the wildfire.
You require disaster-related childcare assistance.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

There are multiple ways to apply for FEMA assistance:

Online Application:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to start your application.
- Follow the prompts to submit your claim.
- Upload any required documents (such as proof of ownership, insurance documents, or identification).
FEMA Mobile App:
- Download the FEMA mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Use the app to apply for assistance, check your application status, and upload required documents.
Phone Application:
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to apply over the phone.
- If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, provide FEMA with the number for that service.
In-Person Assistance at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs):
- FEMA, in partnership with state and local agencies, has opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Los Angeles County, particularly in areas heavily impacted by the Altadena Fire and Malibu Fire.
- Visit a DRC for in-person assistance, document submission, and help with the application process.
- To locate the nearest DRC, text “DRC” along with your ZIP Code to 43362.

If you are having difficulty with your insurance claim after receiving FEMA aid, you might consider consulting our Los Angeles wildfire attorney or our California fire attorney for additional legal support.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

If you lost your job or cannot work due to the wildfires, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Who Is Eligible?

You may qualify for DUA if:

You lost your job because your workplace was destroyed or damaged by the Topanga Fire or Eaton Fire.
You are self-employed but can no longer work due to the disaster.
You were scheduled to start a new job, but the disaster prevented you from doing so.
You can’t reach your workplace because of wildfire-related road closures.
You suffered a disaster-related injury that prevents you from working.

How to Apply for DUA

Online Application:
- Visit the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and log into UI Online.
- Submit an application for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI).
- If your unemployment is due to the wildfires, select the appropriate box in the application.
Phone Application:
- Call EDD at 1-800-300-5616 (English) or 1-800-326-8937 (Spanish).

If you encounter legal challenges in securing disaster unemployment benefits, reaching out to our SoCal fire attorney or our LA fire attorney may help.

Help with your Mortgage or Residence

If you are struggling with a fire insurance claim, you are not alone. Many homeowners in Los Angeles, Malibu, and Altadena are facing insurance claim denials, delays, or underpayments following the January 2025 wildfires. Seeking assistance from our fire insurance claim attorney or our California wildfire lawyer can be crucial in ensuring you receive a fair settlement.

Mortgage Relief for Homeowners

On Jan. 18, Governor Newsom announced that the state has worked with major lenders to offer mortgage relief to LA firestorm victims. The following federally-chartered institutions have committed to offering relief: Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and BMO Bank. As of Jan. 29, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has confirmed additional commitments from nearly 400 financial institutions.

View the list of Lenders & Servicers committed to providing relief.

The lenders have committed to offering:

90-day mortgage payment forbearance periods, streamlined processes for requesting initial relief without submitting forms or documents, payment options that do not require immediate repayment of unpaid amounts (i.e., no balloon payments) at the end of the forbearance period, and the opportunity for additional relief.
Relief from mortgage-related late fees accruing during the forbearance period for 90 days.
Protection from new foreclosures or evictions for at least 60 days.
Institutions will not report late payments of forborne amounts to credit agencies.

The relief is available to qualified residents who are customers of these institutions in Los Angeles County.

Direct Financial Assistance for Owner and Renters

If you live in a declared disaster area and have experienced damage to your home or business, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property — such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances — damaged or destroyed in a disaster. Apply here.

Why You May Need a Fire Insurance Lawyer

Denied claims: Insurance companies may deny valid claims, citing technicalities.
Low settlement offers: Insurers often offer payouts that are insufficient to cover real damages.
Delays in processing: Many victims have reported long processing times after the Hurst Fire and Eaton Fire.
Disputes over coverage: Policyholders may struggle to prove their losses or meet documentation requirements.

If you are facing any of these issues, consulting our fire damage insurance claim lawyer or our Los Angeles wildfire lawyer could help you navigate the process.

American Red Cross Immediate Financial Assistance

The American Red Cross provides immediate financial assistance to individuals whose primary residences were affected by the wildfires, including those impacted by the Malibu Fire, Eaton Fire, and Altadena Fire.

To ensure your claim is processed fairly, consider working with our Altadena fire attorney or our Eaton fire lawyer, who specialize in assisting homeowners in hard-hit communities.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits affected by wildfires such as the Palisades Fire and Topanga Fire.

If you are experiencing loan application challenges or disputes over damage estimates, seeking guidance from our California fire lawyer or our SoCal fire lawyer could be beneficial.

Conclusion

Recovering from a wildfire is challenging, but there are numerous resources available to help you rebuild. By applying for FEMA assistance, disaster unemployment, Red Cross aid, and SBA loans, you can begin the recovery process and get the support you need. If you live in areas impacted by the Eaton Fire, Malibu Fire, or Altadena Fire, ensure you take advantage of all available federal and state aid programs.

Additionally, if you are struggling with an insurance claim, facing a denied application, or need legal assistance, working with our fire insurance attorney, our LA fire lawyer, or our SoCal fire attorney could significantly improve your outcome.

For official updates, always check DisasterAssistance.gov and wildfirerecovery.caloes.ca.gov.

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How to Apply for Wildfire Assistance in California After the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Does Insurance Pay Off Your Mortgage If Your House Burns Down?

You are still required to pay your mortgage even if the home is destroyed. Even if your house has been destroyed, you still owe the remaining balance on your mortgage. You still have to pay off your mortgage on the house that burned down.

What happens if your house burns down and you have a mortgage?

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Will California’s FAIR Plan have enough cash to pay wildfire claims?

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Why does the Fair plan pay so little?

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How do I apply for wildfire assistance in California?

How to Apply for Wildfire Assistance in California After the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Help with your Mortgage or Residence

Direct Financial Assistance for Owner and Renters

American Red Cross Immediate Financial Assistance

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

Conclusion

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