Local Assistance Centers & Disaster Recovery Centers

Counties Designated for Assistance:

Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura

The Federal Emergency Management Agency - LACs:

FEMA has established Local Assistance Centers in Southern California to help individuals affected by the fires. These "one-stop shops" provide information regarding federal and private financial assitance and resources. These locations are still being updated so check back often.

Please note: FEMA is requiring those individuals seeking assistance to provide a contact number to schedule site visits. If you are currently without access to a telephone number due to the fires, please contact your service provider; they may be able to offer an alternative or further assistance.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

* Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.
(Source: FEMA funded and administered.)

* Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.
(Source: FEMA funded and administered.)

* Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical,dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.
(Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)

* Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.
(Source: FEMA funded; State administered.)

* Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.
(Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

* Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $1.5 million.
(Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

* Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and agriculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.
(Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)

* Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.

Small Business Administration:

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses only, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. 

Interest rates can be as low as 2.937 percent for homeowners and renters and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, victims must first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-3362.  Additional details on the location of assistance centers can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.  The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is December 24, 2007.  The EIDL deadline is July 24, 2008.

Protecting Yourself from Fraud and Scams:

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