Fire Recovery Resources
Get Legal Help
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
Tenants: Know your rights following the January 2025 wildfires. Join us for two upcoming events for tenants to help you understand your rights after a disaster and where to turn for help if you believe your rights are being violated.
🗓️ When: Thursday, July 3 and Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
💻 Where: Virtual (via Zoom)
📌 Register: Click here to register for the July 3 workshop.
Click here to register for the July 17 workshop, or scan the corresponding QR codes in the flyer.
Small Claims Housing Workshop (July 15, 2025)
If you’re a renter whose housing has been affected by the recent wildfires, you may have legal options through small claims court. Join us for a Disaster Relief Workshop to learn how the small claims process can help address issues such as:
- Security deposit returns
- Habitability concerns (e.g., smoke or ash damage)
- Other landlord-tenant disputes
🗓️ When: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
💻 Where: Virtual (via Zoom)
📌 Register: Click here to register, or scan the QR code in the flyer.
FEMA Appeals Clinic (July 22, 2025)
If you applied for FEMA relief and disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal—and we can help! Join LAFLA’s upcoming FEMA Appeals Workshop to get step-by-step guidance on how to file an appeal and understand your rights in the process. The session will feature a presentation and a live Q&A with an attorney to answer all your questions.
📅 When: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Virtual (via Zoom)
📌 Register: Click here to register, or scan the QR code in the flyer.
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
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.
Click here to download the guide.
Updated May 9, 2025.
📝 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.
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 February 2025.
Homeowner Issues
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.
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.
