Santa Cruz County Fire Resources

APPLY FOR FEMA

• All individuals impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fires should apply for FEMA assistance: here in English / here in Spanish.
  Or call 1-800-621-3362. For deaf or hard of hearing use Text Telephone 1-800-436-7585. For those that use 711 or VRS call 1-800-62-3362 from 4AM to 8PM
  
  Learn about what FEMA covers here in English/ here in Spanish.
  If you are an immigrant please see this FEMA fact sheet here in English/ here in Spanish.
  If you need help applying for FEMA please contact the Resource Recovery Center or Family Resource Centers listed below.
  • Have the following information ready:
    • Phone number
    • Address of damaged property
    • Social Security Number
    • Bank Account Information (for Direct Deposit info)
    • Insurance Information (if you have insurance)
    • Brief Description of Damages
    • Current Mailing Address
    • Pen and paper to write down your registration number

APPLY FOR RED CROSS ASSISTANCE

• Starting Sept 11, the Red Cross will provide financial assistance to households whose homes were confirmed to have been destroyed or sustained major damage from the 2020 Wildfires. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS, select Option 4 and follow the prompts. $450 Direct payments are available, including for undocumented individuals.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY AND CALFIRE UPDATES, SHELTERS, AND RESOURCES

• Santa Cruz County Fire Information and Resources: English / Spanish
  • Need shelter? Call the Red Cross 1-800-733-2767
    • Fire Shelter Map
    • Hotel Map
  • Damage Assessment Map
  • Evacuation Zone Map
  • Road Closure Map
  • Santa Cruz County Recovery Resource Center (RRC) for victims affected by the fire to learn about assistance and support through FEMA, CalOES, and nonprofits.
    Kaiser Permanente Arena
    104 Front St Santa Cruz
    Open daily 11am to 7pm

• CAL FIRE CZU Twitter: Latest evacuation orders and fire updates.

CALIFORNIA DISASTER ASSISTANCE SERVICES

• California Disaster Help Center
  • Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians
  • Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians in English here / Spanish here

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS

For assistance or support contact a local family resource center.

• Community Bridges:
  • Mountain Community Resources 831-335-6600
  • Live Oak Community Resources 831-476-7284
  • Nueva Vista Community Resources 831-423-5747
  • La Manzana Community Resources 831-724-2997
• Community Action Board (Davenport Resource Service Center) Call 831-763-2147
• Valley Churches United Call 831-336-8258

FOOD

• Call the Second Harvest Community Food Hotline 831-662-0991
• September Family Resource Calendar Food pantry, meal sites, crisis support, and healthcare.

HOUSING SUPPORT

1. For immediate temporary shelter support call the Red Cross 800-733-2767 or find a shelter here.

2. Look at the Damage Assessment Map for preliminary information on damages to your home.

3. Register and apply for FEMA disaster assistance here in English/ here in Spanish.
Or call 1-800-621-3362. For deaf or hard of hearing use Text Telephone 800-436-7585. For those that use 711 or VRS call 1-800-62-3362
If you are an immigrant please see this FEMA fact sheet.
If you need help applying for FEMA please contact the Resource Recovery Center or Family Resource Centers listed above.

• If you do not have insurance or are underinsured:
  FEMA may be able to provide assistance for items not covered by insurance however you cannot receive assistance from both your insurance company and FEMA for the same damage.
  You may be eligible for the following FEMA and State programs:
  • Traditional Shelter Assistance (TSA) : For eligible disaster survivors who need shelter. Learn more here.
  • Individual and Household Programs (IHP): For eligible disaster survivors uninsured or underinsured who need financial and direct services for basic needs. Here is a list of what FEMA covers in English, in Spanish.
  • California State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP) in English, in Spanish.: If you have reached your maximum IHP assistance, FEMA will transmit your application automatically to SSGP which may provide additional assistance. Call 1-800-759-6807 for more information. 1-800-952-8349 for deaf or hard of hearing.

• If you have homeowners or renters insurance:
  • Contact your insurance company to understand what they cover.
  • United Policyholders (UP) is a nonprofit organization that has been helping and advocating for insurance consumers since 1991. Through a Roadmap to Recovery program, UP provides guidance on collecting available insurance benefits, making decisions and getting back home after a catastrophic loss.
    • Steps on the Road to Recovery and navigating the insurance claims process specific to the 2020 California Wildfires.
    • Register for their FREE Webinar, Thursday September 24th at 5PM on How to Read and Understand Your Insurance Policy.
    • Contact UP for further support: info@uphelp.org
  • The California Department of Insurance provides assistance on insurance issues.
    • Wildfire Resources and Insurance Tips
    • If you are experiencing difficulty with processing your claim or have an underinsurance issue. Contact 1-800-927-4357English Contact Spanish Contact

4. If you are a homeowner rebuilding: Rebuilding information and next steps are here. Or email FireRebuild@santacruzcounty.us

MUTUAL AID

• Santa Cruz Fire Assistance & Resources: Facebook group for mutual aid. Post what you need and what you can offer.
• Santa Cruz County Fire Assistance: Community organized mutual aid. Post what you need and what you can offer.
• Santa Cruz County Mental Health Support with listings of local therapists offering free support to those impacted by the fires.

LOANS

• Disaster Loan Assistance: SBA low-interest loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners and renters to replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Three Step Process in English/ Three Step Process in Spanish. You must apply for FEMA here in English/ here in Spanish. Then apply for Disaster Loan Assistance Here.

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

• People who are out of work due to the fires may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can file for benefits here in English/ here in Spanish. Or Call Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: English: 1-800-300-5616 / Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
• If you are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance you may apply for FEMA Disaster Unemployment Assistance. See the Fact Sheet here or call 1-866-487-2365.

HEALTHCARE

• Those impacted by the wildfires could be eligible to sign up for Covered California between September 1 to December 31 2020. You may be eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal. Apply here or call 1-800-300-1506
• The California Department of Managed Health Care can help speed up approvals for care, lost prescriptions, or arrange healthcare at other facilities due to disasters. Call 1-888-466-2219

CRISIS COUNSELING

• Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 trained crisis counseling to support people experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5590 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
• FEMA may provide funding for supportive crisis counseling. Learn more and how to apply here.

LEGAL AID

• Disaster Legal Services may provide free legal help to low-income disaster survivors. DLS can help with insurance claims, legal papers lost in the disaster, home repair contracts and contractors, problems with landlords, proof of homeownership and FEMA appeals. Learn more here or call 1-800-624-33-62 TTY 1-800-462-7585

MAIL FORWARDING & VOTING

• Forward your mail through Official USPS Change-of-Address (Temporary Forwarding lasts up to 1 year) or visit a local Post Office location and request a free Mover’s Guide packet.
• Voting: The County Elections Website has information about what steps fire evacuees can take to vote.