LA County Emergency and Recovery Resources for Workers and Businesses

DEO has partnered with cities and business organizations to launch the Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local. Campaign and Program to increase consumer traffic for local businesses in fire-impacted areas.  For a limited time, buy a Shop Local Los Angeles County Gift Card to use at an eligible impacted business and get a bonus gift card equal to 50% of the amount of the original gift card purchased! Local businesses in or near impacted areas can sign up at shoplocal.la to be included in the Recover Local Business Directory, an online list of highly-impacted businesses. 

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LA County, LA City, Southern California Grantmakers, and partners launched the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds for small businesses, nonprofits, and workers impacted by the 2025 wildfires. The program provided grants up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses and nonprofits and $2,000 for workers. 

Applications are closed with 2,181  businesses and 2,892 workers supported.  

LA County Business to Business Space Share is a free exchange portal that connects business and nonprofits displaced by the wildfires to donated temporary space generously provided by other business and organization in LA County.  

Access B2B Space Share Portal

The Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program provides immediate hiring and training support for fire impacted and dislocated workers in partnership with DEO and the region’s America’s Job Centers of California. 

Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and DEO launched the Malibu-Topanga Business Interruption Fund (BIF) to support small businesses suffering financial losses as a direct result of the loss of customers due to the closures of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. This targeted grant program offered $10,000 to $20,000 in funding to eligible businesses located in ZIP codes 90265 (Malibu) and 90290 (Topanga). Applications are now closed with 19 business supported.  

DEO is providing 500 Youth@Work job opportunities for youth and young adults ages 14–24 who were impacted by the Eaton Fire. 

Youth who lived or are currently living in the fire zone, evacuation order zone, or evacuation warning zone during the Eaton Fire emergency are eligible to apply.

Access Eaton Fire Youth@Work

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) offers loan programs for businesses affected by disasters in California. IBank, a unit within California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), offers loan programs for businesses from 1 to 750 employees (small businesses).

• Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP):  Businesses in disaster areas can secure up to 95% of the loan amount up to $1 million to help remain solvent and recover following a disaster. 
• Jump Start Loan Program: IBank offers loans from $500 to $10,000 to low-wealth entrepreneurs in the declared disaster and emergency areas.

California State Treasurer’s Office CA Capital Access Program (CalCAP): Provides loan loss reserve and collateral support to help incentivize participating financial institutions to make loans for a wide variety of small business borrower financing needs.

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U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) provides disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses of all sizes impacted by the January 2025 wildfires. These include home disaster loans, business physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans.  The deadline for these loan programs has passed.

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Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): Provides financial solutions for residents and small business owners, including small business loans, equity investments, personal financial services, and education and financial literacy.

Lendistry:  Access loans starting at $25,000 as well as other special loan and grant opportunities. Learn more.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Offers working capital loans from $100,000 to $500,000 for commercial and small businesses, as well as other loan products.

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Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA): Provides zero-interest and zero-free loans up to $15,000K for emergency housing, businesses support for wildfire evacuees and more.

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Small Business Emergency Loan Program: PACE is offering low-interest loans of $5,000 with a maximum loan term of 24 months, interest rate of 5.0% fixed, and no payment in the first three months to provide fast, flexible relief for affected small businesses and individuals.

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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 potential award.

Wish Local Empowerment Program: $2 million commitment for 4,000 grants to Black-owned small businesses ranging from $500-$2,000. Must have a brick and mortar in the US, 20 or fewer employees, earn under $1 million in revenue, be 18+ years of age, and participate in Wish Local if selected. Apply at Wish Local Empowerment Program.

Handyworker Grant Program: The Los Angeles County Development Agency offers the Handyworker Grant Program which aims to preserve existing homes by funding minor home repairs to ensure the health and safety of eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners within the unincorporated areas of the First, Fourth, and Fifth Supervisorial Districts. May apply for home-based businesses. Maximum grant award of $9,000.

Led by LA County

Steadfast LA: Steadfast LA Launched $1 Million Small Business Initiative with Bank of California to Support Small Businesses in Altadena, Malibu, and the Pacific Palisades impacted by the devastating Eaton and Palisades Fires with direct grants of up to $50,000. Applications are now closed.

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Small Business Development Centers (SBDC):  Offers free or low-cost counseling for small businesses through its virtual services and regional network of centers. SBDCs help review your business plans, identify opportunities to access capital, or provide information on applicable tax benefits, among other counseling services. 

Led by LA County

The Center for Financial Empowerment: The LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) provides coaching, tax assistance, consumer protection, and other financial services through a network of partners.

Los Angeles County residents directly impacted by fires can request property and vital records free of charge from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office. Call 800-201-8999 and select Option 1, followed by Option 2, or email request with specific information to recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov. Read FAQ Here

Barbering and Cosmetology License Exams and Replacements: The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, the Board of Accountancy, and other licensing authorities are rescheduling licensing examinations at no charge and assisting licensees by issuing duplicate licenses due to a physical license being lost in the fires.

United State Postal Service (USPS) Forwarding: The USPS can forward mail to a temporary location. Businesses may submit online an Official Mail Forwarding Change of Address request (COA) to reroute mail  or by filling out a PS Form 3575 (COA) available at any post office.

For more information about postal products and services, customers may call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or visit the Postal Service online at the USPS Website.

Led by LA County

LA Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program: Offers no cost legal assistance for commercial lease agreements, landlord communications, and navigating insurance claims in partnership with Bet Tzedek and Public Counsel.

Led by LA County

LA County Dispute Resolution Program: Offers no-cost mediation service to community and court-impacted individuals seeking to resolve disputes outside of court including neighbor, landlord-tenant, consumer, and business disputes.

Led by LA County

Property Tax Relief: Property damaged or destroyed by a calamity, such as fire or flooding, may qualify for property tax relief by submitting an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity (M&C) Form ADS-820 with the LA County’s Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed. The loss must exceed $10,000 of current market value.

Property Damage/Proposition 19 Disaster Relief Transfer of Base Value: In cases of Governor declared disasters, Prop 19 allows for a property’s tax base to be transferred to a comparable property within the same county or another county in California.

Funded by the DEO

LA County Business to Business Space Share: DEO and LA County’s Internal Services Department launched a free virtual exchange where organizations and individuals with available workspace can connect with businesses and nonprofits displaced by the windstorm and wildfires. Donate or browse available space here.

Press Release

Damage Inspection Status: Visit recovery.lacounty.gov and Damages Maps tab to find updated photos and percent damage information that can be used for insurance claims.

United Policyholders’ Roadmap to Recovery program: Provides free, reliable guidance to help navigate the challenges of returning to wildfire-affected areas, repairing or replacing damaged property, and maximizing available insurance benefits.

Los Angeles County has created a step-by-step guide for navigating the rebuilding process after the January 2025 wildfires.  

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CEQA and Coastal Act Permit Requirement Waivers

Federal

Federal Income Tax Relief: The federal Internal Revenue Service extended tax-filing and tax-payment due dates for impacted individuals and businesses due on or after January 7th to October 15th.

State

State Income Tax Relief: The State’s California Franchise Tax Board extended tax-filing and tax-payment due dates for impacted individuals and businesses due on or after January 7^th to October 15^th to match the federal extension.

Local

Property Damage/Misfortune and Calamity Tax Relief: Property damaged or destroyed by a calamity, such as fire or flooding, may qualify for relief by submitting an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity (M&C) Form ADS-820 with the LA County’s Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed. The loss must exceed $10,000 of current market value.

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Certified Contractors: The U.S. Green Building Council California provides a directory to connect wildfire impacted residents with certified contractors and architects specializing in rebuilding, as well as other resources.

PG&E: PG and E developed an Economic Development Rate (EDR) to help businesses grow or to keep jobs in California. EDR offers eligible businesses the opportunity to lower costs through one of three reduced electric rate options.

Southern California Edison: The Economic Development Services (EDS) team at Southern California Edison is available to assist your business and help you grow in Southern California through its Economic Development Rate (EDR), which offers eligible businesses a 12% discount on their energy bill over a 5-year period.

Connectivity

Emergency Tech and Connectivity Support: Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) is a community-serving nonprofit providing connectivity and technology support services for those impacted by disasters including businesses.

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Property Owners Have Until June 30, 2025 to Clear Debris: Private property owners in unincorporated areas with fire debris who opted out of the government-sponsored debris removal program, had until June 30, 2025, to complete debris removal. For more information, visit this web page or call the Debris Removal Hotline at 888-479-7328. 

Commercial Property Owners

Most commercial property owners are responsible for their own debris removal and are not eligible for the government-sponsored debris removal program. A select number of properties may be granted a special inclusion based on specific criteria, but this is not guaranteed. Debris Removal permits are required and commercial property owners in unincorporated areas were required to obtain a permit and hire a licensed contractor by June 1, 2025. The deadline for removing for debris was June 30, 2025. If properties fail to meet the June 30th deadline, the County may declare the property a Public Nuisance and take steps to remove debris at the cost of the property owner. 

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Debris Removal Guide 

DEO developed a comprehensive help guide to assist commercial property owners with the debris removal process.

Click Here for Guide 

If you have concerns over how private contractors are hauling debris, you can file formal complaints on The Works app  or through the Opt-Out Fire Debris Removal Permits Hotline:1-888-479-7328. The hotline is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Funded by LA County DEO & LA City EWDD

Business Technical Assistance Program: Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation offers no-cost consulting services to help businesses overcome challenges and find alternatives to layoffs.

Funded by LA County DEO & LA City EWDD

America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC): These centers offer businesses direct support with recruitment, training new and incumbent workers, hiring new workers, avoiding layoffs, and accessing financial incentives to meet workforce goals. Services include:

• On-the-Job Training: Access 90% wage subsidies by hiring and onboarding new staff.
• Incumbent Worker Training: Access subsidies for costs incurred in training and upskilling existing workforce and demonstrating retention and advancement. This could include training on new technology, services, and markets.
• Customized Training: Develop individualized or cohort training or work experiences that meets the needs of a single or group of employers.
• Youth Workers: Onboard young adult workers ages 14-24 at no-cost for 100+ hours.
• Tax Credits for Hiring Disadvantaged Workers: Access tax credits ranging from $1,200 to $9,600 for employers participating in the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) who hire and employ members of traditionally disadvantaged groups .

Email workforce@opportunity.lacounty.gov with “Wildfire Impacted” in subject line to connect to DEO. To find a center closest to you, visit here.

State of Emergency On January 7, 2025, the Governor declared a State of Emergency with onset of the January 2025 wildfires.

Presidential Major Disaster Declaration: On January  9, 2025,  President Biden approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration following the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

The due date for FEMA Disaster Assistance was March 31^st, 2025. To learn more or ask questions, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center.

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits you receive from another source. Visit here for more information on GoFundMe and potential dislocation for FEMA relief.

Consumer Complaints for Price Gouging: California law price-gouging protections are in effect and apply to hotels, rental housing, food, and many other goods and services. Report price gouging, fraud or scams with the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs here or call (800) 593-8222. Watch this Price Gouging PSA and access their disaster preparedness and recovery resources: L.A. County Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Resources – Consumer & Business. Also visit the State’s Office of the Attorney General to learn more and file reports here.

Price Hike Prohibitions: During emergencies, price hikes for essentials like groceries, gasoline, medical supplies, repair services, and housing cannot go up by more than 10% in the affected areas. Protections against price increases last for 30 days while protections for contractor-related services last 180 days from the declared emergency.

FEMA Related Scams/Fraud: If there is an indication of fraud, such as an application filled out by someone else or duplicate application, call the FEMA Helpline immediately at 800-621-3362 or speak to a FEMA representative at a Disaster Recovery Center. FEMA’s security team will promptly investigate the issue and/or duplication and stop further processing of that application. FEMA staff will be able to assist the survivor and ensure they receive the assistance they qualify for.

Funded by DEO

LA County’s Office of Small Business: Offers 1:1 counseling, new business start-up and growth workshops, permit and license navigation, certification and public sector contracting, and referrals to legal, financial, and other assistance. Services can be accessed virtually or in person at the East LA Entrepreneur Center.