LA Disaster Recovery (LADR) Handbook
Endeavoring to Provide a "One Stop" Place for FEMA, CA State and LA County Disaster Relief Links & Info
LADR--Helping LA Climb Back
LADR Handbook-Helping LA Climb Back
Mission
The LADR Handbook is intended for LA and CA residents who have lost homes, jobs/incomes and businesses from the 2025 wildfires. The handbook endeavors to provide a free resource of government links and information to help all impacted people get the aid they need to climb back and recover, fostering resilience and hope.
File Insurance ClaIMs & Apply for FEMA ASsistance
File All Insurance Claims, Then Apply For FEMA Assistance
- The very first thing to consider doing is applying all insurance available to you, understanding coverage, timing of payments and then, filing for FEMA disaster relief (even if you don’t know the full extent or value of losses or insurance coverage). You must file a FEMA claim and get a FEMA Application Number which is required for other assistance like housing:
- FEMA application: https://www.disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA App for mobile devices and/or calling FEMA helpline 1-800-621-3362
- Need FEMA Help Directly: If you have questions, call the FEMA Helpline, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST, 7 days a week. Hours may be longer during high disaster activity.
Financial Assistance for Essentials
- Individuals and families in the designated areas may be eligible to receive money for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breast feeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.
- Eligible survivors may also receive money to help with housing needs if they cannot return to their home because of 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 home repairs for their primary home, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to the wildfires.
To learn more about the types of assistance available, visit: fema.gov/assistance/individual/program.
Temporary Housing Assistance
In need of hotel (short term) and shelter:
- You must have a FEMA application number and approval from FEMA to participate in the FEMA's temporary housing program. Use the hotel locator to find a participating hotel.
- Red Cross open shelters: Locate the nearest open Red Cross shelter.
- Other Shelters: Go to the Emergency Shelter page to find shelters in your area.
If you have questions or need help locating a hotel, you may also call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST, 7 days a week. Hours may be longer during high disaster activity.
Housing Assistance
FEMA may provide Housing Assistance if you qualify. This may include direct or financial help with disaster-caused housing needs. Needs not covered by insurance or other sources.
Financial Housing Assistance may include:
- Rental Assistance: To help you rent short-term housing.
- Lodging Expense Reimbursement: To pay you back for emergency stays in short-term lodging.
- Home Repair Assistance: To repair the primary home, you own and live in. This includes access routes you own, like driveways, roads, or bridges.
- Home Replacement Assistance: To help pay some money toward replacing the primary home you own and live in.
Visit FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program page for more details.
To start an online application, click Apply Online.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST, 7 days a week.
Assistance with Mortgages and Rebuilding Lost Homes
Program Description
- Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims Section 203(h) helps make it easier for survivors to get a mortgage to buy or rebuild a home.
- Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance offers two options for both home buyers and homeowners:
- Get a single mortgage to buy or refinance a home and the cost to rehabilitate it.
- Get money to rehabilitate your existing home. You may use the program for work ranging from minor repairs to major renovations. This includes disaster-related repairs.
Visit FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program page for more details.
To start an online application, click Apply Online.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST, 7 days a week.
LA Country Property Tax Relief & Resources
- Assess eligibility of tax relief if your property is damaged or destroyed by a calamity.
- Website: ttc.lacounty.gov Phone: (213) 974-2111 Frequently Asked Questions
- See LA County Resources Page on this Site for More Local Housing Resources
Job, Income & Business ASsistance
Loss of Employment & Income
- Program Description: Unemployment insurance (UI) benefits give temporary financial help to workers who qualify. Each state, as well as the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, has a UI program.
- How do I file a claim? To apply for benefits, contact your state's UI agency to file a claim as soon as possible after you become unemployed. You can use the CareerOneStop Unemployment Benefits Finder (URL not working as of 1/12/25) to find your state's agency. Filing methods, requirements, and benefit amounts vary by state.
- California State Claim Filing:
- You must meet all eligibility requirements when filing for unemployment and certifying for benefits.
- Create a "My EDD" Account: Important: Once you submit your registration, you will receive an email to confirm your account. Select the link provided to complete your registration. The link will expire within 48 hours.
- View the status of your claim, certify for benefits, and get up-to-date claim and payment information all on the California state UI Online.
- Get an Estimate: Use the UI Benefit Calculator to estimate how much you may receive in unemployment. Note: Employment benefits tend to be no more than $450 per week no matter how much you earned above approximately $48,000 per year gross; lower amounts receive less each week.
- Once you file for unemployment, we will verify your eligibility and wage information to determine your unemployment compensation and benefits.
See that attached LADR Handbook document of more details.
Delayed Tax Filings and Payments
- If you were impacted by a federally declared disaster, you may have extra time to file and pay your taxes currently due.
- General Program Requirements-Your account is automatically coded for filing and payment relief if you meet both of the following conditions:
- You live in a county identified by the IRS as qualified for disaster tax relief.
- Your address is up to date with the IRS.
You do not need to call or contact the IRS to get relief.
- Contact IRS 1-866-562-5227 if you have the following circumstances:
- Impacted by a federally declared disaster and your record of address is not up to date.
- Experiencing other tax-related hardships.
- Unable to make your installment agreement payments on back-due taxes.
IRS Deductions and Tools to Calculate Your Losses
- The IRS provides disaster loss workbooks for individuals (Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook) and businesses (Publication 584-B, Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook) that are designed to help taxpayers compile a room-by-room list of their belongings or business equipment.
- Taxpayers may deduct casualty and theft losses relating to their home, household items, and vehicles on their federal income tax return if the loss is caused by a federally declared disaster. To find out more about causality, disaster and theft losses, and other general individual and business tax information, visit the IRS Tax topics page.
Who are affected taxpayers?
- Individuals whose principal residence is located in a covered disaster area and their spouse, if filing jointly.
- Business entities or sole proprietors whose principal place of business is located in a covered disaster area.
- Relief workers affiliated with government or philanthropic organizations assisting in a covered disaster area.
- Taxpayers not located in a disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline to perform certain acts are maintained or located in a covered disaster area.
- Any individual visiting a covered disaster area who was killed or injured as a result of the disaster, or any other person determined by the IRS to be affected by a federally declared disaster.
To learn more, visit Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses. Or you may use the Taxpayer Assistance Center Office Locator to find your local center.
You may also visit the Financial Recovery Resources page to find other resources.
Business Disaster and other Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers financial help to businesses and private, non-profit organizations in declared disaster areas. We provide long-term, low-interest loans for losses that insurance and other sources don’t cover.
It is not just for small businesses.
- General Program Requirements: Visit the Physical Damage Loans or Economic Injury Disaster Loans pages to learn more.
- Application Process: You may apply online at any time from the Disaster Assistance page. You can also apply to SBA from your DisasterAssistance.gov account:
- After you sign in, on the “Status” tab, find the section for “Other Government Agencies.”
- On the line for SBA, under the “Application Status” column, click Apply.
- To get direct help from SBA, you may also apply in person at one of the centers below:
- FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
- SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
- SBA Business Recovery Center
- Program Contact Information If you have questions on how to apply or want to find an SBA disaster center near you, contact our Customer Service Center:
- Call 1-800-659-2955
- TTY 1-800-877-8339
- Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
General Business and Industry Loans
The Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program helps boost the existing private credit structure of rural communities. The program does this through loan guarantees for rural businesses. These guarantees then allow private lenders to extend more credit than they would normally be able to.
What kind of borrower may a lender request a guarantee for?
- For-profit businesses
- Nonprofits and cooperatives
- Federally recognized tribes
- Public bodies
- Individuals
How may I use the funds?
- Business repair, modernization, or development.
- Purchase and development of land, easements, or buildings.
- Purchase of equipment, supplies, or inventory.
- Debt refinancing that creates new jobs and meets other conditions.
- Business and industrial acquisitions that keeps a business from closing, or saves or creates jobs.
Application Process
If you're a lender, you may apply through a local state office. If you'd like to borrow, talk with your lender about the program.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions or want to learn more, contact your local state office. You may also visit the Business & Industry Loan Guarantees page for more details.
LA County Disaster Resources
LA County “On-the-Ground” Resources and Financial Relief/Assistance Wildfire Recovery Resources
Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities
- Provides information and supportive services to older and disabled adults.
- Website link: https://ad.lacounty.gov/
- Phone: (213) 291-0028
Los Angeles County Department ofAnimal Care and Control
- Animal rescue for animals plus food, shelter, and boarding
- Website link: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/
Los Angeles County Department of Assessor’s Office
- Property owners may be eligible for tax relief if their property is damaged or destroyed by a calamity, such as fire or flooding. To qualify, individuals must file an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed.
- Website link: https://assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief
- Phone: (213) 974-8658
Los Angeles County Department of Child Support Services
- Can assist participants with child support obligations for those who lost their source of income because of the fire.
- Website: https://cssd.lacounty.gov/
- Phone: (866) 901-3212
Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
- The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs serves consumers, tenants and landlords, homeowners businesses, and communities.
- Website: Our Services – Consumer & Business (lacounty.gov)
Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity
- The DEO Office of Small Business hosts a Small Business Concierge helps with information and technical assistance, financial resources, and referrals to partner organizations for programs and services.
- Impacted small business can access support in:
- Submitting insurance claims,
- Signing up for no-cost legal aid,
- Accessing capital and other resources, including grants and loans as well as local, state, and federal contracting opportunities.
- Website: Opportunity.lacounty.gov
- Phone: (844) 432-4900
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- Provides referrals for mental health counseling, grieving, coping, resources, crisis intervention and triage.
- Website: dmh.lacounty.gov
- Phone: (800) 854-7771 or 988 Available 24/7
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
- Provides information on safe cleanup after fire, food safety, public health services, and guidelines for onsite wastewater and private wells following a fire.
- Website: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov
- Phone: (888) 700-9995
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
- Provides disaster assistance to families through the General Relief, CalWorks, CalFresh and MediCal programs
- Website: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en.html
- Phone: (866) 613-3777
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
- Building & Safety: Assistance with Rebuilding and Permitting Process Website: Los Angeles County Building and Safety (lacounty.gov)
- Fire Disaster Information: Post Fire mud and debris flow information Website: https://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/Fire
- Phone: Call Public Works 24/7 Dispatch for assistance and referral: 800-675-4357
- Additional Resource: LA County Public Works Homeowner’s Guide for flood, debris, and erosion control
CLEAN LA
- List of C&D recycling facilities, Inert waste facilities, and Municipal solid waste facilities.
- Website: www.CleanLA.com
- Phone: (888) CLEANLA
Los Angeles County Department of Treasurer Tax Collector
- Assess eligibility of tax relief if your property is damaged or destroyed by a calamity.
- Website: ttc.lacounty.gov
- Phone: (213) 974-2111
- Additional Resource: Frequently Asked Questions
California State Disaster Resources
California State Resources and Financial Relief/Assistance Wildfire Recovery Resources
Disaster Grant Assistance for Individuals and Families
- The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Disaster Services Branch (DSB), can provide grant assistance through two programs. They are the State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP) and the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP).
- Website: https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/disaster-services-branch/disaster-grant-assistance
State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP)
- California's SSGP, administered by the CDSS’ DSB, may provide grant funds to assist people who have suffered damage in a disaster area declared by the President when the federal assistance to Individuals and Household Program (IHP) is implemented. The SSGP is 100 percent State funded. The grant may assist with any eligible items not already addressed by the IHP. However, individuals must have applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and maximized the IHP award in order to be eligible for SSGP. State grants cover disaster-relief needs in the same categories as the IHP.
- If you have reached the maximum IHP assistance, FEMA will automatically transmit your application information to SSGP. There is no separate application process for SSGP. If you have questions about the SSGP, you may contact SSGP at 1-800-759-6807, or for the speech- or hearing-impaired, the TTY number is 1-800-952-8349
- Click on the following links for more detailed information about the SSGP: SSGP Information Sheet (Form SSGP 45) and SSGP Information Sheet (Form SSGP 45) – Spanish
Emergency Management Resources
Active Incident Information
- Active Wildfire Incidents (CAL FIRE)
- Active Incidents in California (Cal OES)
Disaster Assistance
- Disaster Help Center (CDSS): Find information and resources regarding public assistance and services available to individuals and families impacted by California wildfires and other natural disasters or emergencies including a Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians in both English and Spanish.
- Disaster Resources (CDSS): Find help and information related to Fire and Public Safety Power Shutoff, as well as information to assist facilities and people impacted by wildfires.
- Disaster Assistance Resource Guide - English and Spanish(Cal OES/CalHHS)
Find information providing both disaster and non-disaster-related information regarding federal, state, and local assistance services available in California in English and Spanish - Emergency Resource Guide - English and Spanish(CalHHS)
California Health and Human Services Agency list of emergency resources
California Disaster Help and Information Center
- This website is designed to provide information and resources regarding public assistance and services available to individuals and families impacted by California wildfires and other natural disasters or emergencies.
Resource Guides to Disaster Assistance
- Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians
- Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians
- Guía de Servicios de Asistencia por Desastres para Californianos Inmigrantes
Cash Aid and Food Assistance
- CalWORKs is a public assistance program that provides cash aid and services to eligible families that have a child(ren) in the home. The program is operated locally by county welfare departments.
- CalFresh issues monthly food benefits on an EBT card that can be used to buy most foods at most grocery stores and farmers markets.
- Click: You can apply for CalFresh Food benefits in 15 minutes by visiting GetCalFresh.org
- Call: You can connect to your local county office by phone by dialing 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD).
- Visit: To visit your local county office, use the online office locator tool at: https:/calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/officelocator/
- For more information: CalFreshFood.org or https://cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh
- Current CalFresh recipients: If food you bought with your CalFresh benefits was spoiled as a result of the power outages or destroyed due to fire, you can request a replacement of your CalFresh benefits.
- To request a replacement of your CalFresh benefits, contact your county office:
- Call: You can connect to your local county office by phone by dialing 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD).
- Visit: To visit your local county office, use the online office locator tool at: https:/calfresh.dss.ca.gov/food/officelocator/
- You will need to complete, sign and turn in a 'CF 303' form to request a replacement. Include your contact information and a short description of how your food was lost. Include the time and date of the power outage.
- Your request for replacement benefits must be made within 30 days of the power outage (normally this request must be made within 10 days, but the timeline has been extended due to the broad impact of the outages and fires).
Disaster CalFresh
- During times of disaster when there has been a Presidential Declaration with Individual Assistance , California may operate Disaster-CalFresh (D-CalFresh) in specific areas to provide a temporary, 30-day benefit to households who may have been impacted by the disaster and are not normally eligible for CalFresh.
Food Banks
- Food Banks throughout California can provide relief to families affected by the wildfires by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Locate a food bank in your area.
Housing Assistance
- County Welfare Departments have funding specifically designated to support families and individuals experiencing homelessness. All counties administer the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program, which provides temporary assistance to pay for up to 16 days in a motel to families who are eligible for or receiving CalWORKs assistance. For more information, contact your local County Welfare Department or visit a Local Assistance Center. Most counties also operate a CalWORKs Housing Support Program, which offers longer term housing search and rental supports. For more information about the program, please reach out to your county Housing Support Program contact. The full county contact list can be found here.
- County Welfare Departments may have housing supports available to families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Additional information on those programs can be found here.
Unemployment Services (see above or for quick overview and link)
- The California Employment Development Department provides a variety of relief and services to individuals and businesses impacted by the wildfire disasters in California. These range from assistance for those who may have lost a job due to the disaster, to employers who are forced to shut down operations. Find out more about unemployment services here.
In-Home Supportive Services
- Recipients and providers of In-Home Supportive Services with questions regarding services impacted by the wildfires should contact your county IHSS worker. Here is a list of county IHSS offices.
Local Assistance Centers
- Local Assistance Centers are open in affected counties to provide a wide variety of services and assistance to individuals and families. You can contact you local county to determine the location and hours of operation.
Locating Residents Evacuated from State Licensed Community Care Facilities
- If you are trying to locate someone who has been evacuated from a State licensed community care facility due to the California wildfires the Department has a listing of known evacuations and destinations.
Additional Resources
- DMV Assists California Fire Victims
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is offering limited services to residents affected by the wildfires raging across the state. Fire victims who need to replace lost or damaged DMV-related documents can do so free of charge at assistance centers in the impacted areas. Fire victims also can receive support at local DMV field offices, by calling DMV customer service at 1-800-777-0133 or by visiting www.dmv.ca.gov. - Disaster Distress Helpline
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. - Department of Insurance Information for Recent Wildfire Victims
To assist wildfire victims, the California Department of Insurance developed a guide to expedite the recovery process. - For information regarding fire evacuations and shelter locations visit the Cal Fire current Incidents webpage.
California State Disaster Preparedness and Plans
Disaster Preparedness
- Shelter Management Best Practices (CDSS)
By planning ahead and coordinating effectively, cities and counties can better manage sheltering needs and ensure they have the necessary resources to support their communities during crises. - Emergency Preparedness Guide (California Department of Aging)
This guide from the Department of Aging is designed to help older adults and people with disabilities increase their readiness before, during, and after disasters. - Heat Readiness (The Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications)
Heat is deadlier than any other weather hazard. Be prepared for extreme heat events and find tips and resources to help you stay safe. - Storm Season Safety (Listos California)
Simple steps you can take today to keep yourself, your loved ones and neighbors safe during the winter storm season. - Summer of Safety (Listos California)
Resources to help keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe this summer during wildfire, smoke, heat, power outages, and dangerous water conditions.
Disaster Plans
- California Emergency Support Function 6 - Mass Care and Shelter (CDSS)
This plan coordinates actions to assist with humanitarian needs including mass care, emergency assistance, and human services. It is an annex to the State of California Emergency Plan. - Mass Care and Shelter Guidance for Local Governments During a Communicable Disease Outbreak or Pandemic(CDSS)
This document provides mass care and shelter guidance during a communicable disease outbreak or pandemic focusing on stricter health and safety measures. - State of California Emergency Plan (Cal OES)
This plan describes the fundamental systems, strategies, policies, assumptions, responsibilities, and operational priorities California will use to guide and support emergency management efforts. It provides a consistent, statewide framework to enable state, local, tribal governments, federal government, and the private sector to work together to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of emergencies regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. - Catastrophic Planning (Cal OES) Southern California Catastrophic Earthquake Plan provides a coordinated state/federal response to a catastrophic earthquake in Southern California.
- Northern California Catastrophic Flood Response Plan provides a framework outlining how local, state, and federal governments will respond and coordinate in anticipation of and following a catastrophic flood event, with emphasis on impacts to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
- Bay Area Earthquake Plan describes the joint State and Federal response to a catastrophic earthquake in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties.
- Cascadia Subduction Zone – Earthquake and Tsunami Response Plan provides a framework outlining how local, tribal, state, and federal governments and private and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) will respond and coordinate immediately following a catastrophic earthquake along the northern California coast that includes Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties.
- Integrating Access and Functional Needs within the Emergency Planning Process: Best Practices for Stakeholder Inclusion (Cal OES)
Emergency managers are provided with best practices to ensure they recognize the need for and understand the process of integrating whole community partners as they develop their emergency plans while identifying access and functional needs related considerations before, during, and after disasters.. - Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans (FEMA)
This document provides guidelines on developing emergency operations plans and promotes a common understanding of the fundamentals of community-based, risk-informed planning, and decision making to help planners examine threats or hazards and produce integrated, coordinated, and synchronized plans. - Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters (FEMA)
Found on the website of FEMA’s Office of Disability and Integration and Coordination, this document provides planning guidance that can be incorporated into existing shelter plans for State emergency managers and shelter planners to meet access and functional needs in general population shelters. It also assists in understanding the requirements related to sheltering children and adults with functional support needs in general population shelters. - A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes, and Pathways for Action (FEMA)
This document presents a foundation for increasing individual preparedness and engaging with members of the community as vital partners in enhancing the resiliency and security through a Whole Community approach. It is intended to promote greater understanding of the approach and to provide a strategic framework to guide all members of the emergency management community as they determine how to integrate Whole Community concepts into their daily practices.
Families in Need, Student and other Resources
Resources to Assist Our Most Needy And Vulnerable
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Program Description: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides assistance to needy families with children to help foster economic security and stability. It does this for these families by funding monthly cash payments and a wide range of services, including those that promote job preparation, work, and marriage.
- General Program Requirements To qualify, a family must be needy as defined by the state. It must also consist of, at a minimum, a parent or relative caregiver living with a child (or a pregnant woman in her third trimester).
- You and your qualified child must also be one of the following:
- U.S. citizen or
- Non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years. (Unless you are a refugee or other category of person who is exempt from the 5-year bar.)
- Application Process Visit the Help for Families page to get application information for your state, territory, or tribe.
- Program Contact Information To learn more about this program, visit the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) page.
- LA County Families in Need Cash Assistance: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/cash.htm
Disaster Legal Services
To learn more about legal services related to disasters, you can visit the pages below:
- ·Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative (DLAC)
- American Bar Association Disaster Relief
- Disaster Legal Hotlines
- Advocates for Disaster Justice
University and Career School Student and Parent Disaster Resources
Are you a student or the parent of a student? Have you been affected by a federally declared disaster?
If so, visit our Natural Disasters page to find information and resources that may help you.
- General Program Requirements For students enrolled in a college or career school, read the "For Current Students" section.
- Application Process This information is free and available to anyone.
Do you still have questions? Visit our Contact Us page.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Disaster Resources
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. It helps prepare states and communities to provide an effective response after a disaster.
If you or someone you know needs help right now, please use the resources below to find help:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 – If you’re in a suicidal or emotional crisis, please call this 24-hour hotline to reach a crisis center. You may also use the online Lifeline Chat .
- Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 – If you’re feeling emotional distress related to a disaster, call or text to talk with a trained counselor. You can get support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY 1-800-487-4889 – Get help for mental and substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery. This is a free, 24-hour, confidential treatment referral and information service. (English & Spanish)
- FindTreatment.gov - Find substance use treatment for yourself or others. Learn about types of treatment, payment options, and treatment locations.
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator – Find alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health treatment services around the country.
You can also visit SAMHSA’s Find Treatment page for other crisis help and treatment locations.
Below is a list of some of SAMHSA’s Disaster Behavioral Health services.
Vital Document Replacement
There are several vital documents that you can replace with some costing you no additional money or penalties due to disaster as follows:
- U.S. Passport: The U.S. Department of State website is the site and by order of law, the government will waive passport application and file search fees for those who have a lost or damaged passport after the Los Angeles-area fires, which are deemed an eligible major disaster.
- Driver's License: Replacement driver's license or identification card can be replaced at a local Disaster Recovery Center where DMV officials can help you replace or reapply with no or minimal costs. A list of DMV locations and contact information is here; online appointments can be made here.
- Property Records: To help your insurance claims and other applications for assistance, you can request property records at no cost: county department's website. You can also call the county's Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office at (800) 201-8999 or email rrccfireassistance@rrcc.lacounty.gov for assistance.
- Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates: Vital records (birth, death and marriage certificates) can be replaced at no cost from the county recorder's office in the county where the event took place and was legally recorded. Visit California Department of Public Health, which has an online list of county recorder offices and their contact information. Follow the same instructions for property records requests. Out of state records should be requested from the county and state it took place and charges may apply.
- Insurance records: It may be important for you to have a copy of your residential homeowner's or renter's insurance policies, including declarations, when applying for government financial assistance. California law requires your insurance company provide all policies at no cost within 30 days of request: California Department of Insurance.
- Social Security Cards: Social Security cards can be replaced by going to: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200410005