FEMA helps residents affected by the fires in Los Angeles

As various authorities carry out the firefighting efforts in Los Angeles County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners have put resources in place to support Californians. Remember, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration to supplement recovery efforts and those in Los Angeles County who have disaster-related needs due to the wildfires may be eligible for financial assistance. It is important for you to know that FEMA disaster assistance is intended to cover your family’s basic needs if you have necessary expenses and serious needs that are not covered by insurance or without sufficient insurance, in order to boost your recovery. Another relevant point is that if you have insurance and apply for FEMA disaster assistance, you must first file a claim with your insurance company, since, by law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, but if insurance does not cover all damages, you may be eligible for federal assistance. According to FEMA’s website, individuals and families in designated areas may be eligible to receive money to purchase essential items such as food, water, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, medications and other emergency supplies. Eligible survivors may receive money to help with housing needs if they are unable to return to their homes due to 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 repairs to their primary residence, personal property losses, and other eligible wildfire-related expenses. There is material on FEMA’s social media sites to give you better guidance should you require assistance. Here is an excerpt from a FEMA video in Spanish. After filing a claim with their insurance provider, the first step residents can take to boost their recovery is to request assistance from FEMA. There are three ways to apply for assistance: Online at DisasterAssistance.gov/en. If you have internet access and your electronic devices have power, applying for assistance online is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way. On the FEMA app for mobile devices. Calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Calls are accepted daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, provide FEMA with the number for that service. What you need to apply for FEMA assistance, if you are one of those affected by the fire, you must have a Social Security number, know what type of coverage your insurance policy provides, document the damage with photos or video, among other requirements. Let’s listen to part of a FEMA video in Spanish, where they detail how to apply for assistance. Finally, in addition to helping individuals and families recover, FEMA is supporting state and local governments by funding 100 percent of the cost of debris removal and life-saving and life-sustaining activities – including firefighting efforts – for 180 days. The entire federal government is committed to supporting response activities in California and helping the community recover. FEMA is the lead federal agency coordinating the state-led response and relies on the expertise of other federal agencies for this historic response and recovery mission. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers brings engineering and public works expertise to the field to assist in planning and coordination among its disaster response partners. More than 880 National Guard members from California, Nevada and Wyoming are activated and participating in multiple air and ground firefighting efforts. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters can apply for federal disaster loans to offset physical damage losses caused by the wildfires. Individuals should not wait for a FEMA grant decision to apply for an SBA loan. To apply online and learn more, visit sba.gov/disaster.

Photo: FEMA via Facebook