Eaton Fire Recovery Assistance

Stay informed about ongoing fire risks or hazards in your area using tools like Watch Duty, which provides up-to-date status of the fires, precise evacuation zones, air quality monitoring, shelter locations, and communications from local officials. It is available here as well as in the app store for your mobile phone. You can also set up notifications for immediate alerts.

You should also seek medical attention immediately if you have any fire or smoke inhalation injuries. Always follow evacuation orders, and only return to your property when officials declare it safe.

Our surrounding community and neighbors have stepped up to help. These organizations can provide temporary shelter, food, and other essential services:

• Housing and Shelter
  • Airbnb: Airbnb.org is offering stays to 6,500 evacuees and are now committed to housing an additional 25,000 people. Stays are completely free and provided by Airbnb and the generosity of the property owners. These stays are not provided directly through Airbnb, but in partnership with 211 LA. The application and all requirements may be accessed here.
  • Emergency Evacuation Shelters:
    • Pan Pacific Recreational Center, 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90036
    • Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
    • Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena CA, 91101
    • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Lauren Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
• Food
  World Central Kitchen is providing comforting meals to families and first responders. The meal distribution sites and times of operation may be accessed here. Many restaurants are also offering free meals to evacuees and/or first responders:In addition, you can find local foodbanks by entering your address here.
  • Blaze Pizza - Glendale: Free 11-inch pizzas in four cheese, pepperoni, Red Vine and Herbivore. Located at 3210 Glendale Galleria.
  • Crustacean, 468 N Bedford Drive, in Beverly Hills
  • Dtown Pizzeria, 8424 Santa Monica Blvd. #D, in West Hollywood
  • Dudley Market, 9 Dudley Avenue, in Venice
  • Fiorelli Pizza, 1039 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice
  • La Sorted's, 2847 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles
  • Norms, participating locations
  • Sonoritas Prime Tacos, 2004 Sawtelle Blvd. (West LA) and 1050 Flower St. (DTLA)
  • Sora Craft Kitchen, 1109 E 12th Street in Los Angeles
  • Sunday Gravy, 1122 Centinela Avenue in Inglewood
  • Yeastie Boys, multiple locations
  • Fatburger Food trucks
• Health
  Planet Fitness and Crunch Gym are both offering evacuees and first responders free access to their facilities to shower, recharge phones, use Wi-Fi, and rest.
• Transportation
  Lyft is offering two rides of up to $25.00 each for Los Angeles Residents impacted by the fires. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 up through January 15. The code is only valid for the first 500 riders. Uber is also offering rides worth up to $40 for free to those who use the code WILDFIRE25.
• Storage
  U-Haul is also offering up to 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box containers to help evacuees and wildfire victims. This relief is available at 92 locations. These locations and their contact information is available here.
• Mental Health Resources
  It is normal to feel totally overwhelmed in the wake of a wildfire. There are resources available to help walk you through this difficult time. The ACCESS Center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and functions as a disaster response line to provide crisis-related support and services to impacted residents within the County. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health during this difficult time, you may also call or text 988. You can also use this link to access the 988 Lifeline Chat.
• Disaster Relief
  FEMA may also be available to cover basic needs, but will not compensate you for your entire loss. You can apply for disaster assistance through FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. You will need to provide your address (both for mailing and for the damaged property), contact information, a description of your damages, a social security number, and insurance information.

While it may be difficult to think about what was lost, recreating an inventory of what was lost is an important step. Eventually, you may have to present an itemization of everything that was damaged, including its value. This includes precious and personal items that have unique value to you. Doing this sooner than later can be beneficial while your memory is fresh.

• When it's safe to do so, take photos or videos of the damage to your property and belongings.
• Look through any pre-fire photos that will show what your property looked like before and after the loss.
• Create an ongoing list of all your damages or destroyed possessions and their value. Recreating this can be daunting, but take it one step at a time. It can sometimes be easier to start this process by visualizing your belongings room-by-room.
• Keep receipts for any emergency or living expenses incurred, as these may be recoverable.

If your identification, financial, or legal documents were lost, begin the process of replacing them. Many agencies, such as the DMV and Social Security Administration, have expedited processes for disaster victims. These services may be accessed here.

Low-interest disaster loans are available through the federal government for businesses, homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations.

• Businesses may apply for a loan of up to $2 million.
• Homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 in replacement or repair damages.
• Homeowners and renters can also apply for up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property and vehicles destroyed in the fire.

You can apply for these loans here.

Once your claim is reported, the insurer will create a claim file and provide you with a claim number. A claims adjuster should contact you within a few days to obtain information on your loss and discuss your claim. If no one contacts you within a day or two of reporting your loss, follow up with the insurer.

Most insurance policies include coverage for securing temporary housing while your home is being repaired.

• What is covered
• How much the insurer will pay
• How long the coverage will last

If you do not have a copy of your policy, you can ask your insurance company for one. It is required by law to provide you with a copy.

The policy will contain important information regarding;

1. What your policy covers
2. How your loss is calculated
3. How much the insurance company will pay

For example, some policies will cover damage or loss to your exterior plants/landscaping, pay to remove debris and provide other optional coverages. Knowing this information in advance will help you plan for the future and maximize the amount you receive from the insurer.

Some insurers will make immediate payments to help victims secure temporary housing and replace lost personal property (clothing, toiletries, etc.). If your insurance company does not automatically advance such payments to you, contact the insurer and ask if such payments are available under your policy.

How much the insurance company will pay depends on a variety of factors, including what property is covered and how the loss is calculated (actual cash value versus replacement cost value). You should review your insurance policy to determine the scope of your coverage. In general, however, most insurance policies will pay for the following:

1. Cost to repair/replace your home
2. Cost to repair/replace lost personal property
3. Temporary housing costs

Below are some tips to assist you in maximizing your insurance policy benefits.

Tip One: Document the damage to your house.

Calculating the loss or damage to your home begins with estimating the cost to repair or replace the damaged property. To maximize the amount you are entitled to, we recommend you list any specialty finishes in your house. This includes but is not limited to, flooring, countertops, baths/showers, custom millwork, built-in audio/visual components, etc.

We recommend that you make a list of such components and gather evidence (pictures, receipts, etc.) that they were installed in your home. You will present this list with supporting evidence to your insurer so it can incorporate such finishes in its calculation of loss payment.

Tip Two: Document your loss of personal property.

Make a list of all the personal property you lost, including its value and the cost of replacing it. Personal property includes everything that was not attached to your house. This includes things like furniture, rugs, televisions, computers, clothing/shoes, food, dishes, toiletries, etc.

You should also gather evidence that you owned that property, including receipts, purchase orders, pictures, etc. You will present this list with supporting evidence to your insurer so it can calculate its payment for loss to your personal property.

Tip 3: Document any additional “costs of living.”

Relocating to temporary housing may come with increased living costs, such as increased mileage to travel to/from work or school, increased food costs (if you have to eat out), and other expenses associated with temporary housing. Some policies will pay for such increased living costs in addition to the cost of rental housing. To ensure you maximize your recovery, calculate and keep evidence of any such increased living costs so that you can present them to the insurer if your policy covers this loss.

The claims process involves communicating with your insurance company. What you say and how you say it may impact the outcome of your claim and how fast it is resolved. When communicating with your insurance company, we recommend that you do the following:

• The insurance company will keep a record of all of your communications in a diary called a claim file. Insurance adjusters are trained to put the insurance company in the best light, so these notes are usually written to put the insurance company in the best light.
• Your insurance company may try to handle your claim by telephone, especially early in the claim process. Unless you document such communications, the only record of what was said or done will be in the insurance company's claim file or notes.
• Your insurance company is a for-profit business. No matter how nice the insurance representative may appear, their job is to pay the least amount possible on your claim.
• Your insurance company owes you a duty to negotiate with you during this process in "good faith," meaning it must always act reasonably.

When communicating with your insurance company, we recommend that you do the following:

1. Keep a diary of all your communications with the insurance company, including the date/time and substance of your communications. You should also keep copies of any written communications with your insurer. This will help you keep track of the status of your claim.
2. Send the insurance company representative an email or letter confirming all verbal conversations.
3. Promptly respond to any requests by your insurance company, including providing the requested information.
4. If you believe your insurance company is taking too long or is being unreasonable, write a respectful letter or email to the insurance company documenting the unreasonable conduct.
5. Keep all receipts for repairing or replacing damaged or lost property, and promptly send proof of your loss to the insurance company.
6. Calculate how much you believe the insurance company owes you for your loss. If the insurance company offers you less than what you believe you are owed, ask the insurance representative to explain how they arrived at their figure.
7. Be professional in your communications, and do not volunteer any information beyond what is needed to resolve your claim. Remember, the insurance representative is taking notes of everything you say and will not hesitate to use it against you to save the insurance company money.

1. Keep a diary of all your communications with the insurance company, including the date/time and substance of your communications. You should also keep copies of any written communications with your insurer. This will help you keep track of the status of your claim.
2. Send the insurance company representative an email or letter confirming all verbal conversations.
3. Promptly respond to any requests by your insurance company, including providing the requested information.
4. If you believe your insurance company is taking too long or is being unreasonable, write a respectful letter or email to the insurance company documenting the unreasonable conduct.
5. Keep all receipts for repairing or replacing damaged or lost property, and promptly send proof of your loss to the insurance company.
6. Calculate how much you believe the insurance company owes you for your loss. If the insurance company offers you less than what you believe you are owed, ask the insurance representative to explain how they arrived at their figure.
7. Be professional in your communications, and do not volunteer any information beyond what is needed to resolve your claim. Remember, the insurance representative is taking notes of everything you say and will not hesitate to use it against you to save the insurance company money.