August 2020
August 2020
Page last updated: 3/2021
On August 22, 2020, a Major Disaster Declaration was issued for the state of California, making federal funding available to individuals and business owners affected.
People in the following Counties are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:
A legal hotline is now available for survivors of the fires. Survivors facing legal issues may call the hotline at (888) 382-3406.
Click here for the full press release.
FEMA Application Deadline
November 21, 2020
Appeal your FEMA decision letter
Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.
Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:
Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.
Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov
In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).
Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s California Wildfires page to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.
Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
Since 9/11/2001, the law firm of Morrison Foerster has provided Disaster Relief “Helping Handbooks” with legal information and practical advice to help people recover from natural disasters. The Handbooks contain information on available sources of federal relief, insurance, employment, document recovery, fraud prevention, and other issues specific to each disaster. These are not prepared for all disasters, and this resource will not appear on a disaster’s page unless a Helping Handbook has been prepared for it.
Click the link to see a list of all Helping Handbooks, including ones for past disasters.
Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.
Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.
Explore resources from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe and recover from a disaster.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. DRCs are set up in convenient areas after a disaster to make them easier to find.
A DRC may be able to help you:
To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
A legal hotline is now available for survivors of the fires. Survivors facing legal issues may call the hotline at (888) 382-3406.
Access legal aid organizations and other helpful recovery assistance through the resources below.
888-743-5749
To help meet the growing legal needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with RingCentral Inc. to create a national hotline to connect the Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) with those seeking civil legal services.
(800) 551-5554
1735 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 267-0762
1430 Franklin Street
Suite 103
Oakland, CA 94612
Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.
(800) 675-8001
2115 Kern Street, Suite 200
Fresno, CA 93721
Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.
(916) 551-2150
517 Twelfth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.
(415) 538-2000
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Professional association of lawyers.