Assistance and Services for Disaster Recovery
November 2008 Fires - Southern California
Federal and State disaster assistance programs for the California wildfires are made available under Presidential declaration DR1810-CA.
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES)
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTAGENCY (FEMA) INDIVIDUAL AND
HOUSEHOLD PROGRAM
For individuals and households to apply for Federal and State disaster assistance programs, or to check the status of your applications, call the FEMATele-registration and Helpline Number at:
Phone: 1(800) 621-3362 TTY 1(800) 462-7585
Web site: www.fema.gov
Housing Assistance: Provides financial and direct assistance to eligible homeowners and
Renters displaced from their pre-disaster primary residences.
Other Needs Assistance: Provides awards for other uninsured disaster-related necessary
expenses and serious needs, including personal property, medical, dental, and transportation expenses.
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FEMA: Disaster Recovery Center
FEMA on-site: Sylmar Recreation Center (in the small gymnasium)
Address: 13109 Borden Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342
Phone: 1(800) 621-3362 (TTY: (800) 462-7585)
Area Served: Impacted by the Sayre Wildfire
Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Saturday: 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Sunday: 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
SBA DISASTER LOANS TO RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace their damaged or destroyed primary residence. 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 $2 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 help homeowners and business owners 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 and some private non-profit organizations, 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. SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Phone: 1(800) 659-2955 TTY for hearing or speech impaired: 1(800) 877-8339
Web site: www.sbs.gov/services/disasterassistance
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STATE SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM (SSGP)
Supplemental grants up to $10,000 by the State may be available to eligible individuals and households who are unable to meet disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs. 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
Phone: 1(800) 759-6807 (TTY) 1(800) 822-6268
Web site: http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/dis/PG238.htm
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USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY
Loans for family-sized farmers and ranchers, who are unable to obtain credit elsewhere, for the repair or restoration of disaster-damaged farm property and/or qualifying crop production losses. Contact the county USDA Farm Service Agency office listed in your local telephone directory under U.S. Government.
Web site: http://www.fsa.usda.gov
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USDA RURAL DEVLOPMENT
Loans or grants may be available from the USDA for flood victims who live in areas declared as rural, and who are ineligible for an SBA loan. When applying for grants and loans, you may be asked to show:
• An itemized list of losses and estimated cost of replacement or repair.
• Copies of your federal tax returns for the last 3 years.
• Copies of your deed, mortgage, or lease.
• Estimates of new flood insurance premiums.
• Copies of previous insurance policies or settlements.
For Personal Loss
• Proof of monthly income (paycheck stubs, bank statements)
For Business or Farm Loss
• Brief history of the business or farm
• Personal and business financial statements
• Loan repayment schedule
• List of bills owed Farm Service Agency
Information on farm crop base and assigned yields. You can submit a form online at:
Web site: www.sc.egov.usda.gov
You will have to register online and create a USDA account before you can fill out and submit an application form. You may also apply at your local USDA Service Center.
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CALIFORNIA WORK OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO KIDS (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.
Web site: http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/calworks/default.cfm
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WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM (WIC)
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program helps low-income pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.WIC provides:
• Special checks to buy healthy foods such as milk, juice, eggs, cheese;
• Information about nutrition and health;
• Breastfeeding support; and
• Referrals to health care and community services
Web site: www.wicworks.ca.gov and click on “find a WIC agency.”
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FOOD STAMPS
The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy healthy food. You may request an application for food stamps by phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your county DPPS (Dept. of Public Social Services) office. For more information log on to:
Web site: www.cdss.ca.gov/foodstamps
DPPS Office Locator: http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/maps/food_stamps_map.cfm
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CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CalVet)
If you have a CALVET loan and have suffered damage caused by a disaster, contact the CalVet Claims Administrator at:
Phone: 1(800) 626-1613 Ext. 0 - or CALVET at 1(800) 952-5626
Web site: http://www.cdva.ca.gov/CalVetLoans/