Publication
Upcoming Deadlines for LA Fires Assistance and Relief
By Selene Houlis, Ava Freund, and Joshua Schneiderman
Deadlines are quickly approaching this month for federal and local aid available to individuals and businesses impacted by the Los Angeles fires. Descriptions of aid available and the deadlines to apply are detailed below.
FEMA Public Assistance
Local governments and private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship and other faith-based organizations, may be eligible for grants through the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
Eligible governments and organizations must file a Request for Public Assistance online by March 9, 2025.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Individuals whose jobs were lost or interrupted due to the Los Angeles fires may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. An eligible individual:
- lost their job, or their job was interrupted, by the fires; and
- they are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
Eligible individuals must apply online before March 10, 2025.
FEMA Individual Assistance
Individuals affected by the Los Angeles fires may apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. Individual Assistance may be available for home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc.). Individual Assistance may also be available for childcare, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
Eligible individuals must apply online by March 10, 2025.
SBA Disaster Loan
An SBA Disaster Loan is a low-interest loan provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to individuals and businesses located in areas declared as disaster zones, allowing them to repair or replace property damaged by a natural disaster, including homes, personal belongings, and business assets when insurance coverage is insufficient.
Home Disaster Loans are available to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Business Disaster Loans are available to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Private, non-profit organizations, including charities, churches, private universities, are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are working capital loans available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes. The loans are designed to help those entities meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster and are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
Those eligible must apply online by March 10, 2025.
LA County Household Relief Grant
The LA County Household Relief Grant provides immediate financial assistance to LA County residents who have been directly impacted by the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires. Eligible households may receive assistance ranging from $6,000 to $18,000 depending on household size and composition.
Eligible households must apply online by March 12, 2025.
Government-Run Debris Removal Program: Right of Entry
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is executing Phase 2 of the federally funded debris cleanup effort on behalf of FEMA. Residents who opt-in by submitting a Right of Entry authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete:
- Property Assessment: Identify site hazards, hazardous trees, environmental resources, and asbestos-containing materials.
- Asbestos Removal: Safely remove asbestos-containing materials if required.
- Tree Removal: Remove fire or wind-damaged trees assessed as hazardous and other trees that impact public areas or debris removal access.
- Ash and Soil Removal: Remove surface ash, including up to 6 inches of incidental soil.
- Burned Debris Removal: Remove burned home remains, furniture, personal belongings, appliances, and patio furniture.
- Structural Demolition: Demolish clearly destroyed structures.
- Vehicle Removal: Remove damaged and destroyed vehicles, vessels, and other titled property.
- Erosion Control: Install erosion control measures such as straw wattles, compost socks, and hydromulch.
- Environmental Monitoring: Conduct tribal, archaeological, and biological monitoring for environmental and historical preservation.
- Potential Foundation Removal: Residents decide whether they would like their property’s foundation removed or left in place.
Residents may opt-in online by submitting a Right of Entry form until March 31, 2025.
Implications and Takeaways
Relief efforts for the Los Angeles fires continue to evolve. Households affected by the fires may want to consider staying informed as financial relief program requirements may change, and new relief programs may become available.
Snell & Wilmer will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
About Snell & Wilmer
Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, California; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.
