SoCal residents affected by wildfires can apply for financial assistance up to $42,500

CALIFORNIA – President Joe Biden declared a Presidential Major Disaster, January 9, to support ongoing response efforts related to major wildfires in Los Angeles County.

In a press release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Los Angeles County residents who have disaster-related needs due to the fires may be eligible for financial assistance.

According to Cal Fire there are currently five fires burning across 35,000 acres within Los Angeles County. It is estimated that the Palisades fire has destroyed over 1,000 structures and is 6% contained.

The cause of the fires are under investigation.

Up to $33,000 available in financial help

The FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance to individuals and households affected as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster or emergency.

Up to $42,500 is available in financial help — adjusted yearly, although some forms of IHP assistance have other limits.

Individuals and families in the designated areas may be eligible to receive money for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breast feeding 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.

Apply online

FEMA says after making a claim with their insurance provider, the first step residents can take to jumpstart their recovery is to apply for FEMA assistance. There are three ways to apply:

Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. If residents have access to the internet and electronic devices have power, FEMA says applying online is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to apply.
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. Pacific Standard Time. Help is available in most languages. If a resident uses a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance – YouTube.