Wildfire Resources and Information
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Wildfire Disaster Assistance
If you sustained losses from the Northern California fires in Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, or Yolo Counties, you can now apply for assistance.
To begin the process:
1.
Apply online with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
OR
2.
Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY).
We encourage you to apply online whenever possible.
Important! If you have insurance, FEMA's process may designate you "ineligible" for benefits even though they may rightfully be yours. If you receive a denial letter, you may appeal/reapply within 60 days to keep your file open with FEMA while you settle your claim with your insurance provider.
- FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but may be able to help where homeowner's insurance did not.
- You have up to 12 months from the date you apply with FEMA to submit your insurance settlement records for review. If your settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed your claim, you may write FEMA to explain the reason for the delay. Any funds you get from FEMA would then be considered an advance and must be repaid when you get your settlement.
When applying, you will be asked for information that includes your:
- Social Security Number (SSN) OR the SSN of a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or Qualified Alien
- Annual Household Income
- Contact Information (phone number, mailing address, email address*, and damaged home address)
- Insurance Information (coverage, insurance company name, etc.)
- Bank Account Information (if you are eligible to receive financial assistance, the money can be deposited in your account)
*If you would like to review your application status online, you must provide an email address. If you do not provide an email address, you will have to contact FEMA to get updates on the status of your application.
Assistance flyer: (English) (Espanol) (繁體中文) (简体中文) (한국어) (Tagalog)
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information
Beware of Scammers Seeking to Exploit California’s COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program
Contact tracers do not ask for financial information, social security numbers or immigration status
Contact tracing has been conducted by local public health departments for decades to fight infectious diseases such as COVID-19. When someone tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracers identify those who have been in close contact with that person to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce outbreaks. This allows us to maintain our healthcare capacity and confidently modify our stay-at-home order. To prevent the spread of the virus, public health workers check symptoms and connect Californians with confidential testing.
Unfortunately, we are aware of malicious actors who are trying to impersonate contact tracers. Scammers may ask for information such as your social security number, money or financial information. A contact tracer NEVER would ask you for your social security number or financial or payment information. No one will ask about your immigration status during testing, care or follow-up calls. Contact tracers may ask you for your name and address, health information, and the names of places and people you have visited— only for the purpose of helping identify other people who may be infected or need to be tested. Your identity and health information is always kept private.
Contact tracers may call, email or text you to discuss COVID-19 only. You will be asked basic questions like your name and age, the places you’ve been, and the people you’ve spent time with.
To learn more about California’s contact tracing efforts, please visit the California Connected webpage. If you suspect that you have been contacted by a scammer, please contact your local public health department to verify that the call or message is valid, before providing ANY information.
Adult Protective Services Hotline
If you or someone you know needs protection from abuse and neglect, call the statewide Adult Protective Services hotline: (833) 401-0832. Individuals can enter their 5-digit ZIP code to be connected to their county Adult Protective Services staff, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Foster Care Ombudsperson Hotline
If you are concerned about the care, placement, services, or rights of children in foster care, call the Foster Care Ombudsperson hotline: (877) 846-1602. Service is available 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Through Distance Learning
If you are an educator involved in distance learning, this guide from CDSS and CDE offers tips to help you fulfill your role as a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Economic Impact Payments
The Internal Revenue Service is issuing Economic Impact Payments to help people during the coronavirus pandemic. If you or someone you serve hasn’t received an EIP yet, there is still time. Learn more at the new CDSS Economic Impact Payment Information and Resources Hub.
For information on COVID-19, please visit:
COVID-19 Guidance:
Changes to the Public Charge Determination
The federal rules regarding public charge changed in February 2020. The Public Charge Guide is a resource for individuals and families with questions about the new federal public charge policy:
(English) (Espanol). Benefits related to a declared public health emergency generally are exempt from the federal public charge policy.
Individuals in California seeking assistance may consult one of many state-funded organizations that provide legal services to immigrants.
Click here for a list of immigration services providers funded by CDSS .