FEMA assistance available for those affected by the wildfires in California

Los Angeles County residents who have disaster-related needs due to the fires may be eligible for financial assistance from FEMA.

After President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration to supplement recovery efforts, FEMA will be on site to make damage assessments, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.

FEMA disaster assistance is intended to meet basic household needs for uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs to jumpstart recovery. 

If people have insurance and are applying for FEMA disaster assistance, they must file a claim with their insurance company first. 

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If insurance does not cover all your damage, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Individuals and families in the designated areas may be eligible to receive money for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.

Eligible survivors may also receive money to help with housing needs if they cannot return to their home because of the fires. 

The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while they find a more permanent housing solution.

In addition, eligible survivors may receive money for rental assistance, basic home repairs for their primary home, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to the wildfires.

To learn more about the types of assistance available, visit: fema.gov/assistance/individual/program.

How to apply for FEMA assistance

There are three ways to apply:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. 
• On the FEMA App for mobile devices.
• Calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST. 

To view an accessible video about how to apply visit this YouTube video.