Business Disaster Loans

SUPPORT FOR WORKERS & BUSINESSES

Visit the links below for services provided by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)

• Visit the LA County Emergency Resources for Workers and Businesses page
• Counseling: Office of Small Business Concierge Counseling
• Worker Support for employees experiencing disaster-related job disruptions.
• Virtual Events for Small Businesses and Nonprofits are being offered by the Valley Economic Alliance
• Employment Services continue to be offered by LA County America's Job Centers of California (AJCC)

Impacted Worker and Family Recovery Centers (provided by City of Los Angeles)

Impacted Worker and Family Recovery Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm at the following locations:

• West LA Work Source Center and AJCC, 5446 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230
• Northeast San Fernando Valley Work Source and AJCC, 13356 Eldridge Ave, Campus Center, Sylmar, CA 91342
• West Adams Family Source Center, 4305 Degnan Blvd., Ste. 105, Los Angeles CA 90008
• Boyle Heights Family Source Center, 2140 1st St. Suite 110, Los Angeles, CA 90033

On-Site services at the recovery centers include:

• Job placement, training, and employment services
• Business recovery guidance
• Cash relied and multi-lingual application support
• Wraparound supportive services

CA STATE EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

State of California Employment Development Department (EDD): EDD helps individuals and businesses in California who have been affected by disasters. If you lost your job or can’t work because of a disaster, you may qualify for Unemployment, Disability, or Paid Family Leave benefits.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for workers and self-employed people who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. If you have questions about unemployment benefits or need information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance, please contact EDD:

English: 1-833-998-2284

Spanish: 1-855-964-0634

Other languages: 1-800-300-5616

Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, except on California state holidays.

The fastest way to apply for unemployment benefits is through myEDD.

For more information about EDD's Disaster Related Services, visit: edd.ca.gov/en/about_edd/disaster_related_services/

TAX INFORMATION

Extensions for LA County Employers to File and Pay Payroll Taxes

Employers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties directly affected by a disaster may request up to a two-month extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest.

Send a written request to the EDD for the extension within two months of an original payment of return due date. 

For more information about how to request an extension and other employer assistance available, visit Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers

IRS Tax Extension for Individuals & Businesses

Individuals and businesses affected by CA wildfires have until October 15, 2025, to file federal tax returns and make tax payments. Qualified wildfire relief payments made to LA County taxpayers affected by wildfires that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements, are excluded from income, even if these payments are made by nonprofit organizations or other non-governmental entities.

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers: These centers provide information about SBA disaster loans for businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations is available now. SBA disaster loans may be used for business and personal losses not covered by insurance or funding from FEMA. Additional eligibility and criteria may apply. Deadline to apply is March 31 2025. 

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Ronald Reagan Palisades Post 283

15247 La Cruz Dr.

Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

No appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcome. In-person appointments are also available and can be scheduled in advance here.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Centers: These centers provide information about business resource partners to assist businesses, homeowners, and renters with completing disaster loan applications, answering questions about the loan program, and directing business owners to available resource partners for specialized business counseling. SBA disaster loans may be used for business and personal losses not covered by insurance or funding from FEMA. Additional eligibility and criteria may apply. Deadline to apply is March 31 2025. 

Business Recovery Center

Santa Monica Public Library Courtyard Cafe

601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Monday through Wednesday, 10am to 6pm

Business Recovery Center

Women's Business Center

18700 Sherman Way, Ste. 112

Reseda, CA 91335

Monday through Wednesday, 8:30am to 5:30pm

Business to Business Space Share

LA County Department of Economic Opportunity and Internal Services Department provides a free exchange portal designed to provide immediate relief to businesses, including nonprofits, displaced by the winds and wildfires by connecting them to donated temporary space provided by other businesses and organizations throughout LA County.  

This service is provided for a limited time by LA County. Questions may be emailed to b2b@opportunity.lacounty.gov.

GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Fuerza Fund

Alliance for a Better Community (ABC) has launched a new emergency fund to help essential workers – caregivers, housekeepers, gardeners, and hourly and part-time service workers – servicing homes and businesses impacted by the fires.

Through this fund, impacted essential workers can apply for:

• Emergency Stipends: Helping workers and families purchase essential needs such as food, clothing, lodging/housing, transportation, utilities, and other critical needs.
• Gift Cards for Essentials: For those without bank accounts, ensuring immediate access to groceries, food delivery, and other necessities.

Recipients can receive fund assistance within 3 days of review and approval, and sometimes on the same day. Apply online at https://afabc.org/fuerza-fund/

The Support Small Business – Insurance Deductible Relief Fund

Team Friday supports impacted small businesses with cash-based mutual aid to help cover the cost of deductibles for insurance claims. Submit your application for a potential award.

Fire Relief Loans 

The Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) provides a limited number of zero-interest, zero-fee loans to individuals, non-profits, and small businesses affected by the recent wildfires. These loans are for people of all faiths and backgrounds who are permanent residents of Los Angeles. Eligibility requirements and application process at JFLA.

Support For Artists and Creative Workers

The LA County Dept of Arts and Culture provides information about grants and funding opportunities for artists.

LA Region Small Business & Worker Relief Fund

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), supports businesses, nonprofits, and workers impacted by the Windstorm and Wildfires of January 2025. 

The application period is now closed. Visit the website to view FAQs.

Open Air Worker Emergency Fund

Inclusive Action launched a new emergency fund to help outdoor workers – street vendors, landscapers, and recyclers – impacted by the fires. Through this fund, impacted outdoor workers could apply for one-time cash assistance support of $500. 

The application period is now closed. For more information, visit: www.inclusiveaction.org/workeraid

Restaurants Care Fund

Restaurants Care has opened a temporary fund to provide emergency relief grants to food and beverage workers impacted by the Los Angeles area fires. Grants will be awarded based on need and available funding. Not all qualified applicants will be awarded funding, due to the tremendous need and limited funds.

The application period is now closed. For more information, visit: https://craf.communityforce.com/Funds/

CA Realtor Member Grant Program

Provides up to $10,000 in assistance for CA Realtor members and their staff who have suffered losses due to the wildfires. 

The application period is now closed. For more information, visit: C.A.R. Disaster Relief

SUPPORT AND INFORMATION

Altadena Chamber of Commerce offers its business members support through information and referral and online tools to promote their businesses and create online stores.