Recent Disasters

This page is for victims and survivors of the recent California disasters such as COVID-19,  2017 Northern California wildfires, the 2018 Ventura County fires, the 2018 Los Angeles County fires, etc.  Included in this page is important information for victims such as hotlines, upcoming clinics, recent announcements, and links to all kinds of resources.  To get information on a specific disaster click one of the options below: 

Northern California Wildfires
North Complex & Willow Fire
SCU Lightning Complex
LNU Lightning Complex
CZU Lightning Complex
COVID-19
Saddleridge Fire
Camp Fire
LA County Fire
Ventura County Fire
Sonoma/Napa Fires

Information for the Public

California Free Legal Answers

California Free Legal Answers provides free online legal help for issues related to COVID-19 or the recent wildfires.

Get free legal help in 3 steps!

  1. Visit Ca.freelegalanswers.org and make an account
  2.  Ask your question
  3. Log back in to see your answer
Get Help

Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline

The State-wide Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline provides disaster survivors with free legal help relating to the recent wildfires.

Common topics include: housing, landlord/tenant, insurance, FEMA and many more.

Call 888-382-3406

Call

Disaster Distress Hotline

The Disaster Distress Hotline  is run by SAMHSA , it provides free counseling and support services to disaster survivors. Their hotline is open 24/7.

Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to get help

Call

Wills Assistance For Emergency Responders
(WAFER)

WAFER assist essential workers that are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 with the preparation of estate planning documents such as statutory wills, advanced healthcare directives and power of attorney. Volunteer attorneys are available to help individuals complete their forms over the phone.

Learn More

Resources for Disaster Survivors

Benefits

Cash Help

Residents who suffered damage or losses from the fires that began on October 8, 2017 may register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Register by applying online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by phone at 1-800- 621-3362 or the TTY number 1-800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Consumer

Education

FEMA

Tips on FEMA and Insurance – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

-Ինչպես կարող եք օգնություն ստանալ FEMA-ից եւ ապահովագրությունից -Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

有关从FEMA和保险公司获取帮助的提示 – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Consejos para asistencia de FEMA y seguros- Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Insurance

The California Department of Insurance provides assistance on insurance issues, such as claim handling delays, additional living expenses, underinsurance disputes, etc. If you are experiencing difficulty with the processing of your claim or wish to have an underinsurance issue investigated, contact the officers at the Department’s Consumer Hotline at1-800-927-HELP (4357); TTY 1-800-482-4833 for assistance. For additional information youmay also wish to visit the Department’s website at: www.insurance.ca.gov.

Tips on FEMA and Insurance – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

-Ինչպես կարող եք օգնություն ստանալ FEMA-ից եւ ապահովագրությունից -Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

有关从FEMA和保险公司获取帮助的提示 – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Consejos para asistencia de FEMA y seguros- Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Unemployment insurance

Workers who lose their jobs due to no fault of their own, such as in the case of a disaster, may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The quickest and easiest way to apply is online. Visit Employment Development Department (EDD) website at: www.edd.ca.gov. Click on the “Unemployment” link, then on “Apply for UI” (eApply4UI) at the top right of the page. UI claims also can be filed by telephone at 1-800-300-
5616. For Cantonese, call 1-800-547-3506; For Mandarin, call 1-866-303-0706; For Spanish, call 1-800-326-8937; For Vietnamese, call 1-800-547-2058, TTY 1-800-815-9387. For more information, you can go to the webpage at:
http://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/Disaster_Unemployment_Assistance.htm.

Public Health Information

For information on public health concerns during a disaster you can contact
916-650-6416 or visit the California Department of Public Health website.

For more information visit our Resources Page

 

Replacing Documents

How to Replace Important Documents (English)– Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Spanish) – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Tagalog) – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Vietnamese) – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Russian) – Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Mandarin)– Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Korean)– Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

How to Replace Important Documents (Armenian)– Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles

Small Business

Services to Help Businesses Recover from the Effects of the Wildfires– U.S. Small Business Administration

Disaster Assistance Information – U.S. Small Business Administration

Disaster Loan Information – U.S. Small Business Administration

Servicios para Ayudar a los Negocios a Recuperarse de los Efectos de los Incendios Fuera de Control – Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios

Asistencia Para Desastres – Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios

Préstamos de Desastre– Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios

Announcements

Stay up to date with the latest news from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

Disaster Guides

2020 Wildfires Helping Handbook by Morrison and Foerster

 2020 Wildfires Helping Handbook (Spanish)

Local shelters:

State Shelter Directory by County

Links to non-legal resources for this disaster:

Red Cross hotline: 1 800 RED CROSS ( 1-800-733-2767)

United Way: Call 2-1-1

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