California Wildfires - Federal aid, grants, local governments help and other resources

To all Aidmates and Aidpage visitors:

California Wildfires Information

Red Cross Shelters for Wildfire Evacuees

Google map of current wildfires

FEMA Response to California Wildfires

Here is a link to a federal government webpage dedicated to: California Fires – Government Information and Assistance Here you can search for family and friends by calling the Family Registry and Locator System call center at 1-800-588-9822. For those who have become separated from children 21 and younger, FEMA has activated the National Emergency Child Locator Center to help them and the toll free number is 1-866-908-9570.

American Red Cross has a website with Safe and Well Registration List. If you have been affected by California wildfire disaster and are OK this website provides a way for you to register yourself as "safe and well" or search for family, relatives and friends.

Public Numbers for Fire Areas and Public inquiries

  California Wildfire State Individual Assistance Resources 

HOUSING ASSISTANCE/Personal property 

State Supplemental Grant Program – Housing assistance such as temporary housing, repair, replacement, and permanent housing construction.  Other Needs Assistance can cover items such as personal property, medical, dental, funeral, transportation, and moving and storage. 

These grants may be offered when assistance from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program has been maximized.  Once maximized, your FEMA application is transferred to this program; there is no separate application process.  Contact CA Department of Social Services, State Supplemental Grant Program at 1-800-759-6807 (TTY for hearing and speech impaired: 1-800-822-6268.

Replacing Lost Documents 

County Recorder Clerk - Can assist individuals in replacing important documents, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates that were lost in the fires.  Contact your local County Recorder Office as follows: 

Los Angeles County – (562) 462-2137 or www.lacounty.info

Orange County – (714) 834-2500 or www.ocrecorder.com

Riverside County – (951) 486-7000 or www.co.riverside.ca.us

Santa Barbara County – (805) 568-2250 or www.co.santa-barbara.ca.us

For a listing of all local County Recorder Offices go to the following website:  http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CountyRecorderOffice.aspx

DEPRATMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Department of Motor Vehicles can assist individuals in replacing documents, such as drivers’ licenses, identification cards, vehicle registration certificates or certificate of title that were lost in the fires.  In addition, DMV can assist in obtaining forms to change the status of vehicles that were damaged or destroyed as a result of the fires.  Contact DMV at 1-800-921-1117 or 1- 800-777-0133, or you can look up your local DMV office on the following website:  http://dmv.ca.gov/fo/offices/toc_fo.htm 

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 

California Employment Development Department (EDD) - Provides weekly unemployment insurance payments for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own.  If you are unemployed, or working less than full time, have a legal right to work in the United States, and are ready, willing, and able to work, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.  You may contact EDD at the following:  English 1-800-300-5616; Spanish 1-800-326-8937; and TTY ‑ 1-800-815-9387, for hearing impaired.  For more information, visit www.edd.ca.gov 

EMERGENCY NEEDS REFERRAL 

American Red Cross – Provides emergency food, clothing, shelter, and medical assistance to needy individuals and families.  To contact the Red Cross or find a shelter near you, call 1-800-REDCROSS (733-2767).  To register or find a loved one on the Safe and Well List visit the following website:  https://disastersafe.redcross.org/default.aspx

INSURANCE & REBUILDING INFORMATION 

California Department of Insurance – Can provide assistance on insurance issues and claims.  Call the toll-free Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-HELP (4357) or visit www.insurance.ca.gov Contractors State License Board – Provides guidance on verifying a contractor’s license, investigates complaints, and also provides information about hiring a licensed contractor.  For information on hiring or filing a complaint regarding a contractor, contact CSLB Disaster Hotline M-F from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-800-962-1125, or 24-hour Automated Phone Response System 1-800-321 CSLB (2752).  Licenses can also be checked online at www.cslb.ca.gov 

TAX ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE 

Franchise Tax Board – Provides guidance in obtaining tax relief for disaster casualty losses.  Contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711, (TTY/TDD for hearing or speech impaired: 1-800-822-6268. California Board of Equalization – Offers extensions to file tax returns and relief of interest and penalties to taxpayers and fee payers directly affected by the disaster.  Contact the Board of Equalization at 1-800-400-7115 (TDD/TTY 1‑800-735-2929). 

VETERANS ASSISTANCE 

If you have a CALVET loan and have suffered damage caused by the Southern California Wildfires, contact the CALVET Claims Administrator at 1-800-626-1613 Ext. 0, or CALVET at 1-800-952-5626.  (Source: .doc file published on Governor's Office of Emergency Services)

Where to file a California wildfire Insurance Claim?

California Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer hotline  (800) 927-4357

 Emergency Claim Numbers for California Insurance Companies

Fireman's Fund Insurance Company (866) 456-3108 
State Farm (800) 732-5246
Farmers Insurance (800) 435-7764
Travelers (800) 252-4633
Auto Club (800) 672-5246
Mercury Insurance (888) 313-6372

Safeco (800) 332-3226