Fire Recovery Resources
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LAFLA can help with legal issues arising from disasters like the 2025 LA wildfires, including FEMA applications and appeals, tenant and homeowner issues, and consumer relief.
Workshops & Clinics
Immigrant Family Preparedness Workshop (August 6, September 3 & October 1, 2026)
Join a FREE Zoom workshop on how to prepare your loved ones for crisis or disaster with a Family Preparedness Plan. An immigration advocate will help you create a plan for your family and connect with more resources, including emergency childcare.
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday, September 3, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Click here to register for an upcoming workshop.
This wildfire recovery project was funded in part by a grant from the American Red Cross.
Disaster Aid & Your Public Benefits (August 13, September 10 & October 8, 2026)
Did you know that getting one-time disaster aid—like FEMA or insurance payments—can affect your public benefits?
Join us to learn how to protect your eligibility for programs like SSI, CAPI, CalWORKs, CalFresh, SSDI, SSA, Medicare and more.
Clinic Dates: Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Click here to register for an upcoming clinic.
This wildfire recovery project was funded in part by a grant from the American Red Cross.
FEMA Appeals Workshop (August 18, September 15 & October 20, 2026)
If you applied for disaster relief from FEMA and disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal.
FEMA rental assistance/continued temporary housing assistance is now available until July 9, 2027 for homeowners and October 9, 2026 for renters.
Our FEMA Appeals Workshops provide:
- Step-by-step guidance on filing an appeal
- Information on your rights in the appeal process
- For eligible clients,* legal consultations and help drafting an appeal letter
Upcoming virtual workshops: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
LAFLA Community Offices
Click here to find your closest LAFLA community office.
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Learn Your Rights
Use these guides to understand your rights and resources available to you in the recovery process.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
FEMA rental assistance/continued temporary housing assistance is now available until July 9, 2027 for homeowners and October 9, 2026 for renters.
FEMA will stop accepting new claims and appeals related to the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires and Windstorms on July 9, 2027 for homeowners and October 9, 2026 for renters. Don’t miss your chance to apply for disaster assistance or appeal a denial!
The FEMA process can feel overwhelming, but help is available. Scroll down to learn more and get help before the deadline.
If you applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief and disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal. Check out our guide for step-by-step guidance on the FEMA appeals process.
FEMA rental assistance/continued temporary housing assistance is now available until July 9, 2027 for homeowners and October 9, 2026 for renters.
🔗 Click here to download the guide.
🔗 Haga clic aquí para descargar esta guía en español.
Updated May 9, 2025.
This guide covers important information regarding FEMA recoupment requests. After a natural disaster, FEMA provides assistance to survivors as quickly as possible to help them meet immediate needs. Later, FEMA reviews cases to make sure individuals received the correct amount of assistance. Sometimes, FEMA determines that a person received too much money or was not eligible to receive assistance at all and requests a recoupment of funds.
🔗 Click here to download the guide.
Updated March 2026.
📝 Please note: The FEMA application deadline has passed, but FEMA may accept late applications in some circumstances.
Understand how to apply for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) if you work or own a business in major disaster area.
🔗 Click here to download the guide.
Updated January 24, 2025.
Disaster Aid for Immigrants
FAQ: Help for Immigrants After a Disaster
Find answers to your questions about your immigration rights when it comes to federal disaster assistance, unemployment benefits, replacing important documents, and more.
🔗 Click here to download the FAQ.
Updated January 31, 2025.
Tenant Rights
Find answers to common questions about your rights as a renter following the fires, including what to do if you’ve been displaced, lost your home, are facing rent increases or evictions, and more.
🔗 Click here to download the FAQ.
🔗 Haga clic aquí para descargar esta guía en español.
Updated February 3, 2025.
Learn about your rights as a tenant if your home was destroyed or damaged in the 2025 LA-area wildfires. This presentation covers rental homes in the City of Los Angeles, the City of Pasadena, and Unincorporated Los Angeles County (including Altadena).
Click here to watch the video.
Recorded March 2025.
This resource provides clients with an overview of what constitutes a landlord’s claim of abandonment. It explains the legal standards landlords must meet, as well as clients’ rights and options if a landlord alleges abandonment and attempts to dispose of or sell the client’s personal property.
🔗 Click here to download the tip sheet.
Updated May 2026.
This fact sheet outlines clients’ rights to habitability and necessary repairs following a disaster under SB 610. We also attempted to highlight key limitations and explain what the law does and does not require of landlords.
🔗 Click here to download the fact sheet.
Updated May 2026.
Housing Small Claims
Learn what options are available to you through small claims court if you are a renter whose housing has been affected by the recent wildfire. Understand how the small claims process can help address issues such as security deposit returns, habitability concerns (e.g. smoke or ash damage), or other landlord-tenant disputes.
Click here to watch the video.
Recorded July 15, 2025.
Homeowner Issues
Navigating Insurance Recovery After a Wildfire Disaster
This guide may assist you in understanding: (1) best practices for filing a new claim and following up on an existing claim, (2) standard insurance policy language and typical provisions; (3) how to deal with common strategies that insurers are using to delay or deny coverage; and (4) the answers to some frequently asked questions. This resource is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice about your specific situation.
Consumer Tips: Rebuild Contracts and Contractor Issues
This guide explains the role of the contractor, describes common types of construction contracts, and summarizes our identified best practices for hiring a contractor, reviewing the construction contract, managing a rebuild, and avoiding and reporting suspected construction scams. These tips are intended for homeowners who need to rebuild their homes due to destruction caused by a disaster.
Recovery After the Fires: Guidance for Homeowners
The videos below are presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response (CLSCDR), a coalition of legal services organizations including Bet Tzedek, East LA Community Corporation, Housing and Economic Rights Advocates, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, National Housing Law Project, Neighborhood Legal Services of LA, One Justice, and Public Counsel.
Learn about the disaster recovery process for homeowners, including short-term issues like mortgage, taxes, utilities, and other bills, and longer-term issues like insurance, FEMA, and SBA assistance. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL). Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
Recorded January 29, 2025.
Hear from Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang about property tax disaster relief and other issues for wildfire survivors. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL). Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
Recorded February 5, 2025.
Learn how to handle issues and payments with Homeowner Associations (HOAs) after a disaster. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL). Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
Recorded February 12, 2025.
Learn about common issues with rebuilding after a fire, including vetting contractors, financing, legal rights and protections, and avoiding scams. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL). Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
Recorded February 19, 2025.
Avoiding Scams
Avoiding Scams During Disaster Recovery
Learn how to spot common scams as you repair and rebuild your home, and how to get help protecting yourself.
🔗 Click here to download the guide.
Updated January 23, 2025.
Learn about common scams targeting survivors after a disaster, including insurance, government assistance, charity and taxes, contractors, utilities, and identity theft. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video. Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
Recorded February 20, 2025.
Unemployment Benefits
📝 Please note: The Disaster Unemployment Benefits application deadline has passed.
Unemployment Benefits for Workers Affected by Los Angeles Wildfires
Get ready to apply for unemployment benefits and disaster unemployment assistance if you lost work or income because of the fires.
🔗 Click here to download the guide.
Updated January 31, 2025.
Debt & Financial Issues
Help for Student Loan Borrowers During Natural Disasters
Learn about pausing or lowering your student loan payments if you were affected by the fires.
🔗 Click here to download the FAQ.
Updated January 27, 2025.
Recovery After the Fires: Guidance for Consumers
The videos below are presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response (CLSCDR), a coalition of legal services organizations including Bet Tzedek, East LA Community Corporation, Housing and Economic Rights Advocates, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, National Housing Law Project, Neighborhood Legal Services of LA, One Justice, and Public Counsel.
Learn about relief options for federal student loans if you were affected by the fires. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL). Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
🔗 Click here to download the presentation slides.
Recorded February 13, 2025.
Learn how to manage issues with debt, including debt collectors, lawsuits, and judgments, after a disaster. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL). Haga clic aquí para ver este seminario web en español.
Recorded January 30, 2025.
If you’re struggling financially after the wildfires, learn about bankruptcy and potential alternatives. Presented by the Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response.
Click here to watch the video (English and ASL).
Recorded February 6, 2025.
FEMA Appeal Letter Templates
These templates are for individuals seeking Disaster Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Many applicants are not approved right away and may need to appeal several times to get the assistance they need to recover. Keep in mind that FEMA assistance is limited and typically available for only about 18 months after a disaster.
These templates can be filled out by applicants who need to appeal a FEMA decision or request additional assistance from FEMA. They can be completed by the applicant themselves, or with the help of a Disaster Case Manager or other service provider. These templates were developed using program and eligibility information from FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Version 1.1 Amended, July 2025 (IAPPG).
Disclaimer: These templates have been created for a general audience and do not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney for advice regarding your specific circumstances.
Follow the steps below to get started.
Step 1: Download the instructions and cover letter below.
1. 🔗 Download these instructions on using the templates and cover sheet.
2. 🔗 Download the FEMA Privacy Data Cover Sheet—include this cover letter with any documents that you upload or send to FEMA as the first page or cover sheet.
Step 2: Read the instructions.
Step 3: Click on the links below to download the appropriate template.
Note: Please download a copy of the Google doc, or copy and paste the text into a new document.
More Resources
Click here to see our guide to finding emergency information and resources, including food, housing, healthcare, childcare, and more.
You are not alone. Our hearts are with you, and we’re here to help.