Emergency Resources for Southern California Wildfires

The NextGen Policy team’s thoughts are with the residents, first responders, business owners, and every person impacted by the catastrophic wildfires currently ravaging Southern California. We encourage you to please review and amplify the wildfire resources shared on this page to help impacted communities and individuals navigate this climate tragedy as rescue operations continue and rebuilding efforts take place.

Mental health services:

    • CalHOPE Warm Line: by calling (833)-317-HOPE (4673) (English) and (833)-642-7696 (Spanish)
      • 24/7 peer run hotline that provides free, confidential emotional support to Californians, including those impacted by the Southern California wildfires

Individuals & Business Owners Resources:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • By calling 800-621-3362
  • By using the FEMA smart phone application
  • Assistance is available in over 40 languages
    • If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
  • California Office of the Small Business Advocate Recover and Rebuild: Resources and Steps for Business Recovery: [Link]
  • LA County Economic Development Corporation: Wildfire Information, Resources Assistance: [Link]
  • Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) Fire Resources: [Link]
    • Mortgage or residence help
    • Fraud and scam protection
    • Student loan assistance

Food Resources:

Cal Org a community based organization in LA has collected a list of resources for food, shelters, distribution hubs, etc. Check out their list here: [Link]

  • Emergency relief for CalFresh recipients update: 
    • Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties have been approved for a CalFresh Hot Food Waiver from January 10th-February 8th. Under normal circumstances, CalFresh recipients cannot purchase “hot foods and hot food products prepared for immediate consumption” (e.g., rotisserie chicken, hot food or, soup bars, etc.). This waiver allows CalFresh recipients to purchase hot and prepared food in recognition that households may have relocated or not have access to cooking equipment.
    • Los Angeles, Ventura, and Riverside counties have been approved for a Timely Reporting Waiver. CalFresh recipients who experienced power outages due to the wildfires/related Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) starting on January 7 have until February 5 to report the loss/damage of food, instead of just 10 days.
    • There are links to these on the California Department of Social Services CalFresh Disaster Page and please also consult California Association of Food Bank’s CalFresh Disasters and CalFresh google document.
  • The GRACE collaborative, a California group of nonprofit organizations fighting to end poverty, has compiled an LA Fires Resources & Relief sheet that lays out everything from where to apply for grants/aid to how to file property damage insurance claims. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
  • LA Regional Food Banks fire response page with resources: https://www.lafoodbank.org/fire/
  • World Central Kitchen has meal distribution sites: https://wck.org/news/meal-locations-ca

Preparing For Evacuation: