LA Wildfire FEMA Assistance Deadline & How to Apply

You may be wondering what the LA Fire FEMA assistance deadline is. The Palisades, Hurst and Eaton Fire FEMA assistance deadline is March 10, 2025.

The fires began on January 7, 2025 and are now extinguished.

The Palisades Fire burned 23,448 acres of land, killed 12 people, destroyed 6,837 structures and led to the evacuation of 105,000 Los Angeles County residents. Seven people are still missing.

The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres of land, killed 17 people, destroyed 9,418 structures and led to the evacuation of over 100,000 residents. 24 people are still missing.

The Hurst Fire burned 799 acres of land and led to the evacuation of 44,000 residents.

If you or a loved one is a victim of the Eaton or Hurst fires, call us today for a free consultation. We are helping residents and businesses affected by the wildfires, helping them recover financial compensation for their losses and evacuation costs. We don’t charge fire victims any fee until and unless we recover compensation for them. Call us today.

LA Fire FEMA Assistance Deadline: March 10

The deadline to submit an application for FEMA assistance regarding the Los Angeles fires is March 10, 2025.

Missing this deadline could result in missing financial aid.

For this reason, victims should submit their applications as soon as possible to find out if they are eligible for financial assistance.

Who Is Eligible for Los Angeles Fire FEMA Assistance?

There are four primary conditions of eligibility for affected residents:

Citizenship status: Only the following are qualified for FEMA assistance:

• United States citizens
• Qualified non-citizens
• Non-citizen nationals

FEMA will need to verify the status of every applicant before assistance is provided. Immigration status and citizenship requirements are detailed on the FEMA website.

Identity verification: Your identity will need to be proven via your Social Security number. Public records are usually used to check your identity when you apply. FEMA may ask for additional information if they can’t verify your identity via public records. The types of supporting documents one can supply FEMA with to help verify identity are detailed on the FEMA website.

Occupancy/ownership verification: For some assistance types, FEMA needs to confirm that the home damaged by wildfire is your primary residence. Regarding home replacement or repair assistance, FEMA will also need to confirm that you owned your residence when the disaster occured. This information is typically verified via public records in an automated fashion. If your ownership or occupancy status can’t be confirmed in this way, you may be asked to provide additional documentation.

Need unmet by insurance: FEMA doesn’t provide assistance regarding disaster needs which are met by insurance. However, should your insurance not cover all needs related to the wildfires, you could qualify for FEMA assistance. You need to tell FEMA about the insurance you have which can assist you with fire-related needs when applying for FEMA assistance. Should you have insurance, you need to provide FEMA with proof of an insurance settlement, or a letter which explains your coverage denial, prior to FEMA determining which assistance you qualify for. For help with preparing for insurance claims, visit the California Department of Insurance website.

Common reasons people fail to qualify for FEMA assistance include:

• Not sending FEMA the info or documents they request
• Loss or damage is covered by insurance
• Household filed more than one application
• FEMA can’t verify you own a home
• FEMA can’t verify occupancy
• FEMA can’t verify identity
• Damaged home isn’t primary residence
• Not enough damage to qualify
• FEMA inspector can’t contact you via provided contact information

Residents should note that the EPA has already started cleaning up, and that this is kicking up toxins. Toxins from paints, burnt lithium ion batteries, plastics, oils, chemical fire retardant, asbestos dust, etc., are all toxic. Ash and fine dust is toxic – do not sweep it up dry. Hazardous debris removal will begin on January 27. This is expected to take three weeks or longer. Once that is finished, additional debris removal crews will go in. If private individuals go in or send private contractors to visit properties to start cleaning up home sites themselves, individuals may cause themselves to be ineligible for FEMA assistance. Do not start up cleanup too soon without FEMA authorization.

Should you disagree with any decision made by FEMA, you can appeal it by sending documents like bills, receipts, repair estimates, and how you require more help. FEMA decision letters explain the document types which can help you to appeal FEMA decisions or award amounts. Appeals can be mailed to:

FEMA Individuals & Households Program

National Processing Service Center

PO Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

Step one – register for FEMA Assistance: You can register online via https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call (800) 621-3362. Or, you can download the FEMA app on your smartphone.

Step two – gather important documents: The FEMA website contains information regarding the information that FEMA will ask for when you apply for disaster assistance. You will need to provide information such as each family member’s Social Security number, names, home addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, etc.

Step three – track expenses: You will need to keep your receipts for things like housing and repairs, and track your lost wages.

You can also visit a FEMA disaster recovery center for help applying for FEMA assistance.

How FEMA Assistance Helps LA Wildfire Victims

Those affected by the wildfires may qualify to receive FEMA payouts which can help pay for:

• Essential items like water, food, breast feeding supplies, baby formula, emergency supplies and medication
• Housing needs for staying in a hotel, with friends and family or additional options while looking for permanent housing solutions
• Rental assistance
• Loss of income assistance
• Personal property losses, basic home repairs and rental assistance
• Clean and sanitize assistance

In addition to FEMA assistance, almost $240 million has been approved in disaster assistance loans for businesses and residents in Los Angeles County, with officials urging affected parties to submit applications prior to key deadlines expiring, which include March 10, 2025 for physical damage loan applications such as applications for Eaton Fire disaster loans, and October 8 for economic injury applications. FEMA does not provide landlords with assistance regarding common area damages, but rental properties might qualify for United States Small Business Administration disaster loans. Business owners can apply with the Small Business Administration for Economic Injury Disaster Loans even when they have not directly experienced property damage.

Protecting Yourself From Disaster Scams

After disasters, criminals, identity thieves and scam artists often try to take advantage of survivors of disasters. Scammers might target fire survivors who are stressed and more vulnerable to fraud. Scammers might impersonate disaster workers, seeking money for services.

Remember: local, state and federal disaster workers don’t accept or ask for money. They will not charge for help with applications, inspections or disaster assistance.

If you are seeking help after a disaster, you need to know that:

• Government relief agencies will not call asking for your personal information
• Government workers will carry ID
• FEMA relief program applications are free and online
• You should be wary regarding offers to expedite, assist with or fill out applications
• You should be wary of any offers which are unsolicited
• You should get numerous written estimates, making sure debris removal gets included
• You should research companies, asking for references
• You should check for proof of insurance which is current
• You should never pay completely until jobs are complete

The FEMA website has more information about avoiding and reporting disaster fraud.

When To Contact an LA Wildfire Lawyer

Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has suffered fire-related losses or evacuation costs due to the Eaton or Hurst fires. We can help you recover financial compensation for your losses and evacuation costs on a contingency fee basis, meaning we won’t charge any fee until and unless we recover money for you. Our legal teams have been representing California wildfire victims since 2017 and have recovered over $1 billion for wildfire victims. Call us today for a free case evaluation.