 Extended FEMA Deadlines for Wildfire Recovery Assistance
Los Angeles County homeowners and renters affected by the January wildfires now have until March 31, 2025 to apply for FEMA and SBA disaster assistance.
Individuals who are unsure whether they qualify for FEMA assistance, are still waiting for their insurance claim settlements, or who do not have current needs outside of their coverage but might at a later date should still apply for FEMA Individual Assistance by the March 31 deadline.
FEMA Assistance
FEMA provides aid for rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses, and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Grants do not need to be repaid, are nontaxable, and will not impact Social Security, Medicaid, or other federal benefits.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
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Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
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FEMA App: Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
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Phone: Call 800-621-3362
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In-Person: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are initially denied disaster assistance, it is strongly recommended you visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to meet with experts who will explain the next steps. Often times, a "denial" may mean that the required information was not submitted. Visiting will also allow you to learn about additional programs and services provided by other agencies involved with recovery.
Key FEMA Updates
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$86 million in aid distributed to wildfire survivors.
- Over 400 FEMA staff deployed to California.
- Over 24,981 survivors assisted by FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance teams.
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178 properties have completed debris removal.
FEMA Hiring Local Residents
FEMA is offering temporary jobs in disaster recovery for local residents. Positions last 120 days, with potential extensions.
Additional Federal Assistance
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SBA Disaster Loans: Low-interest loans up to $500,000 for home damage and $100,000 for personal property. No payments or interest for the first 12 months. Apply online at lending.sba.gov.
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Debris Removal Program: Deadline to apply is March 31, 2025. Forms available online or at Disaster Recovery Centers.
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply at DUA.gov.
Local Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
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UCLA Research Park West (Los Angeles)
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Altadena Disaster Recovery Center (Altadena)
- Both are operating Monday-Saturday, 9 AM – 7 PM
Additional Resources
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Samaritan’s Purse: Help with disaster recovery (Website)
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Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Find food assistance (Website)
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EPA & US Army Corps of Engineers: Ongoing hazardous waste and debris removal efforts.
For more details, visit FEMA’s “California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds” website.
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance – California Wildfires & Straight-Line Winds
Application Deadlines:
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Physical Damage: extended to March 31, 2025
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Economic Injury: October 8, 2025
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to help businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofits recover from the January 2025 wildfires and straight-line winds in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
Available SBA Disaster Loans:
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Business Physical Disaster Loans: Up to $2 million for businesses and nonprofits to repair or replace damaged real estate, inventory, and equipment.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Up to $2 million for small businesses and nonprofits struggling to meet financial obligations due to the disaster.
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Home Disaster Loans: Up to $500,000 for homeowners to repair or replace real estate and $100,000 for personal property, including vehicles.
Loan Terms & Eligibility:
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Loan Terms: Up to 30 years (7 years if credit is available elsewhere).
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Collateral: May be required for higher loan amounts.
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Credit & Repayment: Applicants must have a satisfactory credit history and demonstrate an ability to repay.
Additional Assistance:
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Mitigation Loans: Additional funding (up to 20% of verified damage) for protective improvements like retaining walls or sump pumps.
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Refinancing: Available for homeowners and businesses with significant disaster-related damages (40% or more property loss).
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Relocation Assistance: SBA loans can be used for relocation, depending on circumstances.
Insurance Requirements:
- SBA may require borrowers to maintain flood or hazard insurance on damaged or collateral property.
How to Apply:
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Online: MySBA Loan Portal
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Phone: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 7-1-1)
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Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
For more information, visit the SBA Disaster Assistance website.
FEMA Hiring for California Wildfire Recovery
FEMA’s local hire program provides economic stimulus and job opportunities to communities where jobs have been lost due to a disaster. Local hires are needed in a wide variety of positions with appointments for an initial 120 days, which may be shorter or longer as mission needs require. Travel and lodging expenses are not paid or reimbursed. Learn more here: Local Hire | FEMA.gov.
About the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
On July 21, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to establish an anti-racism policy agenda to address “generational inequality and systemic anti-Black racism.” Recognizing that racism is “a matter of public health in Los Angeles County,” and that racism against Black people and communities of color has resulted in large disparities in family stability, health and wellbeing, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice and housing, the Board directed the County Chief Executive Officer to establish the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative.
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