Community resources for emergency response support

(Information as of Feb. 11, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.; subject to change)

Table of Contents

Recovery response

The Los Angeles wildfires are now at 100% containment. All evacuation orders have been lifted. LA County is providing resources to those impacted by the fires to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

  • The LA Disaster Relief Navigator is an online tool designed to help impacted residents find resources and assistance. Simply complete a brief questionnaire, and the tool will direct you to relevant local, state, and federal programs.

State and federal assistance

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing assistance to eligible individuals and families affected by this disaster. Get the details and a link to the application at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856.
    • For assistance with applying for aid and understanding your options, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open daily from 9 a.m – 8 p.m. at the following locations:
      • UCLA: Research Park West, 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
      • Altadena:  540 W. Woodbury Road, Altadena, CA 91001
  • The Los Angeles County Assessor offers disaster relief to those whose properties were damaged or destroyed. Learn how to apply at www.assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief.
  • The State of California has launched a one-stop shop website for fire victims to access recovery resources at ca.gov/lafires. Resources include unemployment benefits, state tax relief, and more.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened the application process for disaster loans. Loans are open to homeowners and renters. Find out more and apply at www.sba.gov/disaster.

USC benefits, services, and other support

  • The Trojan Family Relief Fund has been set up to help USC students, faculty, and staff who have been displaced by the fires and need support with transitional expenses, such as temporary housing, family care, and emergency supplies. Visit the Wildfire Relief Fund Grants information page for details, including how to apply.
  • Major Disaster Leave Sharing Plan: This plan allows faculty and staff to voluntarily donate their accrued vacation or paid time off to a pool of hours that other employees — who have exhausted their own accrued hours due to a declared major disaster, like the LA wildfires — can utilize. Visit the Major Disaster Leave Sharing Plan page to review eligibility and apply for hours.
  • Relief programs for benefits-eligible employees who lost their primary residence or whose primary residence has been deemed uninhabitable by a local municipality due to the wildfires:
    • Vacation cashout: Eligible employees may cash out a maximum of 10 accrued vacation days, which will be available in their next paycheck. To request a vacation cashout, click here and log in to Workday, after which you’ll see a pop-up box to “Create Request. Under “Request Type,” enter “Vacation Cashout Request.” Then complete and submit the request form.
    • Temporary bank of up to 40 hours of time off: Eligible employees will be provided a time code with up to 40 hours, which they can then use to work with cities, insurance companies, or contractors without having to use their accrued time. The time given must be used by June 30, 2025. Time off needs after that date would first be addressed through accrued vacation, followed by applying for donated vacation hours (once accrued vacation is exhausted) under the vacation donation program being launched.
  • Back-up dependent care: All benefits-eligible employees (non-union) qualify for 10 back-up care days per calendar year. New enrollment families impacted by fires get a 20% tuition discount for 3 months, with no registration fee. Visit the Bright Horizons website to create an account and reserve care. For instructions to register, visit the Family and dependent care resources page (scroll to the back-up dependent care section).
  • Retirement: USC retirement plans (401(k) and 403(b)) allow a hardship withdrawal for FEMA disasters, to cover expenses and losses (including loss of income). Note, the participant’s main residence or place of employment at the time of the disaster must be in an area designated by FEMA. To access your USC retirement funds while still at work, visit the Employee Gateway In-service distributions page.
  • USC Gould School of Law is offering resources and services, like legal workshops and clinics, to impacted employees and students. Find these resources at gould.law/fire-resources.
  • USC Hotel is offering room discounts through March 31, 2025, for those assisting with fire relief efforts. Use the code SAFE when booking. A USC community discount rate is also available. For reservations, inquiries, or to view specific rates, view the USC Hotel’s informational flyer.

USC Credit Union

The USC Credit Union is offering relief assistance for those impacted by the fires, including low-rate relief loans with flexible terms and loan deferment options to help ease financial burdens. Contact the USC Credit Union to learn more.

USC vendor discounts

The university has negotiated rates with many suppliers and our employees will automatically be offered such rates.

Medical and mental health

  • Anthem Blue Cross is offering free access to LiveHealth Online (online option) to anyone living in the impacted area for non-emergency health needs. The free visit offer will be available through the end of the state of emergency.
  • CalHope is offering a 24/7 free hotline for confidential, emotional support.
  • Keck Care of Caregiver: If you are a Keck Medicine of USC employee and have been impacted by the wildfires, there is a dedicated hotline (323) 865-9897, email CareForTheCaregiver@med.usc.edu, and website KM-CareforCaregiver website.
  • The LA Homeless Services Authority has a list of many other resources, including food, medical care, and where to donate if able.
  • The USC WorkWell Center staff is available for emotional support for faculty and staff at 213-821-0800 or email at workwell@usc.edu. The center is also hosting ongoing weekly support groups, which meet on Zoom Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 12 p.m. through the end of March 2025. Details are on the WorkWell website.

Reunite with lost pets

There are a handful of shelters still open for displaced animals:

  • Pasadena Humane Society: 361 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • For large animals: LA Equestrian Center: 480 Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506

For all affected by the fires and looking to reunite with their pets, the best course of action is to contact local agencies through their official communication channels. These include Pasadena Humane (pasadenahumane.org), Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (animalcare.lacounty.gov) and Los Angeles Animal Services (laanimalservices.com).

  • For those impacted by the Palisades fire and searching for lost pets, you can also contact the Missing Pets Line at 213-270-8155.
  • For those impacted by the Eaton fire and searching for lost pets, you can also contact the Animal Rescue Hotline at 626-577-3757.

Evacuation centers

  • Pasadena Civic Center: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 (accepts domestic family pets in a carrier or crate)
  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (accepts domestic family pets in a carrier or crate)

Temporary housing options

  • 211 LA is partnering with Airbnb, American Express, and Hilton to offer free temporary shelter for fire-displaced individuals. Already applied? No need to reapply. If you haven’t yet applied, start by filling out this application.
  • Big Bear has offered this list of vacation homes and hotels which has been created specifically for the needs of fire evacuees. 
  • The local hotel association is maintaining this list of regional hotels with available space and discounts for fire victims and evacuees.
  • Odyssey Relocation is providing support for displaced individuals including referring, sourcing, and coordinating temporary or long-term housing and rental-car services.
  • Red Cross Los Angeles may be able to help with finding a shelter here and other disaster relief services.
  • RentSpree is offering to waive or refund application fees for individuals who need to rent property as a result of displacement/property damage. For information, email support@rentspree.com after submitting an application through RentSpree.
  • Visit Anaheim has a list of special hotel offers and assistance for people affected by the wildfires. Visit Visit Anaheim’s official website. 
  • YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is offering temporary shelter, showers, basic amenities, and mental health support. They have also teamed up with L.A. Unified School District to provide childcare. Register on the YMCA Community Response website.

Food and transportation

  • LA Metro is offering reduced fare programs for those affected by the LA fires. To submit an application, visit metro.net/fireresponse.
  • The L.A. Times is maintaining this list of restaurants offering shelter, discounts, and food to fire evacuees and first responders. 
  • Metrolink is offering 25% off all monthly passes for January and February. Visit the Metrolink website for more information and redemption details.