DisasterAssistance.gov
The DisasterAssistance.gov is an excellent starting point for finding help. This website provides access to resources for immediate needs, such as emergency shelter and medical care. It connects users with support from 17 federal agencies, including:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
By completing an anonymous questionnaire, you can find out whether you qualify for various disaster assistance programs. Grants and low-interest loans may be available for homeowners, renters, business owners, veterans, and retirees to help cover losses and repairs.
To be eligible for relief, you typically must live in a presidentially declared disaster area. California received a presidential disaster declaration on January 8, 2025, allowing FEMA to provide recovery assistance to Los Angeles County residents affected by the wildfires. This assistance may include funding for temporary housing, personal property replacement, and home repairs. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) is working with FEMA to distribute financial and technical aid.
SBA Disaster Assistance
The SBA’s webpage also offers relief programs for small business owners, homeowners, renters, and nonprofits affected by disasters. Available programs include:
- SBA Disaster Loans: Low-interest loans for businesses, homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations in declared disaster areas. These loans cover losses not paid for by insurance or FEMA and can also help businesses meet operating expenses.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Available to small businesses, private nonprofits, and small agricultural cooperatives, these loans help cover ordinary operating expenses when a disaster causes substantial economic injury. However, they cannot be used to pay off existing debt, repair physical damage, or make capital investments.
If you're interested in assisting with wildfire recovery, SBA.gov provides guidance on registering as a federal contractor. Contractors who meet federal procurement regulations may qualify for additional loans and grants while supporting local recovery efforts.
Other Recovery Resources
Beyond federal assistance, several agencies and organizations provide additional support for disaster victims. Some key resources include:
- CalOES Recovery Resources
- CAL Fire Post Wildfire Safety
- California Department of Food and Agriculture Wildfire Recovery Resources
- Los Angeles County Wildfire Recovery Resources
- City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department Wildfire Recovery Resources
- 211 LA Wildfire Resources
- American Red Cross
- Salvation Army
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
