Wildfire Resource Dashboard

Emergency Need Referrals and Donations

American Red Cross (ARC)

ARC provides emergency food, clothing, shelter and medical assistance to needy individuals and families. Contact ARC at 1.800.RED.CROSS (733.2767). If you are unable to locate or connect with a loved one or friend who has been impacted by a current disaster event, the American Red Cross can help you locate them. For more information, visit the website at redcross.org/safeandwell.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides a variety of services, including help with food, household needs, clothing and personal needs. For more information, call 1.800.SALARMY (725.2769) or visit the website at disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) card is a $250 gift card given to *eligible survivors of fire and natural disasters by firefighters on scene who are enrolled in the SAVE program. This allows survivors to purchase basic necessities such as food, clothing, gas, medicine, or a place to stay the night in the immediate aftermath of a house fire. Visit SAVE | California Fire Foundation for more information on the program.

Assistance Programs

CalWORKs

CalWORKs provides cash aid to eligible needy California families to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses. For more information, contact your local county welfare/social services department. To find your local office visit the website at cwda.org/links/chsa.php, or for more information on this program, visit the cash aid website at cdss.ca.gov/benefits-services/cash-assistance.

CalFresh Program

If you have been affected by a disaster and are in need of food assistance, you can apply for benefits through the CalFresh Program. To find out how to apply for benefits in your county, please call the toll free number 1.877.847.FOOD (3663). For more information on CalFresh, visit the website at cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh.

Federal and State Services

Social Security Administration

For information on applying for social security benefits, survivor benefits or if you need assistance in expediting the delivery of your check delayed by the disaster, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) automated telephone services at 1.800.772.1213, or to speak to a representative, call between 7am and 7pm EST Monday through Friday (TTY/TDD for hearing or speech impaired: 1.800.325.0778, between 7am and 7pm EST Monday through Friday). Information and services can also be found on the website at socialsecurity.gov/emergency.

Services for Seniors

The California Department of Aging contracts with and provides leadership and direction to Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that coordinate a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities. You can locate an AAA in your area by calling 1.800.510.2020; TDD 1.800.735.2929; or visit the website at aging.ca.gov/programsproviders/aaa/.

Department of Motor Vehicles

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can respond to questions and provide the forms needed to assist individuals in replacing DMV documents, such as driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle registration certificates and certificates of title, that were lost as a result of the disaster. Call 1.800.777.0133; TTY 1.800.368.4327; TDD 1.800.735.2929; or visit the website at dmv.ca.gov.

California Department Of Public Health – Vital Records

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with those who have lost vital records as a result of the disaster. Birth, death and marriage records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred. Visit cdph.ca.gov/programs/chsi/pages/county-registrars-and-recorders.aspx for a list of county recorders. You may also call 916.445.2684; TTY 711 or 1.800.735.2929.

Insurance & Rebuilding Information

California Department of Insurance

The California Department of Insurance provides assistance on insurance issues, such as claim handling delays, additional living expenses, underinsurance disputes, etc. The Insurance Commissioner wants to make sure that the claim process moves as smoothly and as quickly as possible and that any underinsurance issues are investigated. If you are experiencing difficulty with the processing of your claim or wish to have an underinsurance issue investigated, contact the officers at the Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1.800.927.HELP (4357) or TDD 1.800.482.4833 for assistance. For additional information, you may also wish to visit the department’s website at insurance.ca.gov.

Contractors State License Board

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) verifies contractor licenses, investigates complaints and provides helpful information about hiring a licensed contractor. For information on hiring or filing a complaint regarding a contractor, disaster victims may call CSLB’s Disaster Hotline Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm at 1.800.962.1125 or the 24-hour automated telephone response system at 1.800.321.CSLB (2752). Licenses can also be checked online at cslb.ca.gov. You can also view a video, “Rebuilding After a Natural Disaster” on the YouTube.

Tax Advice and Assistance

Employment Development Department (EDD) – Assistance For Employers

CA employers who are directly affected by a state of emergency may request up to a 60-day extension to file their state payroll reports and to deposit state payroll taxes with the EDD, without penalty or interest. For further information, call EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1.888.745.3886; TTY 1.800.547.9565; or visit EDD’s website at edd.ca.gov.

Franchise Tax Board (FTB)

FTB provides guidance in obtaining tax relief for disaster casualty losses. Contact FTB at 1.800.852.5711 (TTY/TDD for hearing or speech impaired: 1.800.822.6268), or visit the website at ftb.ca.gov.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

For information on casualty, disaster and theft losses, and other questions regarding federal income and payroll taxes, visit the website at irs.gov/taxtopics/tc515.html or contact the IRS at 1.800.829.1040 (TTY 1.800.829.4059).

mental health resources

988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. Call or text 988 or use the following link for chat assistance: 988 Lifeline Pre-Chat Survey

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990; Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”

LA County Department of Mental Health Resources

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Resources has compiled a list of mental health resources to aid people affected by the wildfires. Visit Disaster Mental Health Resources - Department of Mental Health for assistance.