Disaster Unemployment Assistance

 SUPPORT FOR WORKERS

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
• Worker Support for employees experiencing disaster-related job disruptions.
• Employment Services continue to be offered by LA County America's Job Centers of California (AJCC)

Impacted Worker and Family Recovery Centers

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

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.

If you have been impacted by the fires in Los Angeles County, 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: https://edd.ca.gov/en/about_edd/disaster_related_services/

IRS Tax Extension for Individuals

Individuals 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.

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. Application period from 8:00 am, February 6 to February 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm.

The Relief Fund has two grant options:

• Small Business Relief Fund: Provides direct cash assistance grants ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 for businesses and nonprofits that experienced structural damage, equipment/inventory loss, or revenue loss.
• Worker Relief Fund: Provides $2,000 in direct cash assistance grants to workers who lost employment or income due to the wildfires.

To apply for financial assistance, submit your application.

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/

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 range between $350 and $1500. 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.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a California resident working in California
• Be currently employed by a restaurant or foodservice operation during the time of the fire
• Have worked in the foods industry for a minimum of six months
• Have proof of a financial hardship due to: permanent loss of housing, temporary loss of housing, restaurant burned down or restaurant is temporarily closed.

Deadline to apply is February 28, 2025, or until funds have been exhausted.

Apply online at https://craf.communityforce.com/Funds/

Support For Artists and Creative Workers:

• Center for Cultural Innovation Fire Relief Fund
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund
• Entertainment Community Fund
• Guitar Center Grant
• Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
• Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
• Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
• We Are Moving the Needle Microgrant

Council District 6 Wildfire Relief Grant

Service workers impacted by the recent wildfires can apply for a grant of $250. Eligible applicants must live within the following zip codes: 91352, 91331, 91343, 91402, 91401, 91405, 91406, 91411.

Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund

The Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund assists individuals with disabilities replace lost critical assistive technology, tools and devices, and is also covering some motel/hotel stays.