ALERTS & UPDATES: Visit Ready Ventura and sign up for VC Alert. You can also text your Zip code to 888777 to receive updates to your mobile phone.
WILDFIRE RECOVERY: Ventura County Recovers is an official page of the County of Ventura and a comprehensive, one-stop site to aid the recovery process. Ventura County Recovers is intended to guide residents through the recovery process, regardless of the size of their loss.
Individual Assistance: Food Assistance, Housing, Other Immediate Needs
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA offers information and resources to address immediate needs such as emergency shelter, housing and medical care.
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
1-800-621-3362
CalWORKS
Provides cash aid to eligible needy families to help pay for housing, food and additional expenses.
www.cdss.ca.gov/CalWorks or www.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices
CALFRESH
Apply for food benefits through the Cal Fresh Program.
www.calfresh.ca.gov or www.benefitscal.org
1-877-847-3663
Lost Records and Certificates
California Department of Public Health-Vital Records (CDPH)
Works to replace crucial records such as birth, marriage and death certificates.
Such records should be requested from specific county recorder’s office.
www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages?county-Registrars-and-Recorders.aspx
Lost Identification and Vehicle Documents
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Provides assistance replacing DMV documents such as driver licenses, ID’s, vehicle registration and certificates of title.
1-800-777-0133
TTY 1-800-368-4327
TDD 1-800-735-2929
Insurance: Fire Insurance, Flood Insurance and Rebuilding Assistance
California Department of Insurance
Provides assistance on insurance issues such as flood insurance, fire insurance, claim delays, living expenses and underinsurance disputes.
Flood Insurance: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/FloodFacts.cfm
Fire Insurance: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/WildfireResources.cfm
1-800-927-4357
Debris Removal
California Environmental Protection Agency
Provides information and resources on debris removal in the aftermath of natural disasters.
https://calepa.ca.gov/disaster/debris/
916- 323-2514
Ventura County Recovers
Provides information and services on debris clearance specific to Thomas Fire Victims.
http://venturacountyrecovers.org/thomas-fire-debris-removal/
Assistance for Employers and Employees
Employer Assistance
Employers effected by State of Emergency may request a 60 day extension to file their state payroll reports and deposit state payroll taxes with the Employment Development Department.
1-888-745-3886
California Employment Development Department
Provides unemployment assistance for workers who have lost jobs or work hours due to no fault of their own.
Apply at: www.edd.ca.gov
1-800-815-9387
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Provides temporary benefits to people whose employment has been lost or interrupted due to a major disaster.
The fastest and easiest way for new claimants to apply for State Unemployment benefits and DUA is to use EDD’s online application, “eApply4UI,” which is available in both English and Spanish. Claimants can also file for DUA by phone between 8 a.m. and 12 noon, Monday through Friday.
http://www.edd.ca.gov/About_EDD/Disaster_Related_Services.htm
1-800-300-5616
Health Information
California Department of Public Health
Provides information and advice on health issues related to natural disaster incidents.
916-650-6416
www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov
Assistance for Seniors
California Department of Aging
Coordinates services to seniors and adults with disabilities.
1-916-419-7500
Assistance for Veterans
California Department of Veteran Affairs
Provides assistance for veterans who have suffered disaster damage.
1-800-952-5626
Tax Relief
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Offers tax relief assistance to those impacted by wildfires across the state.
1-800-400-7115
Franchise Tax Board
Provides guidance in obtaining tax relief for disaster casualties.
1-800-852-5711
INSURANCE RESOURCES
- Insurance Information Sheet
- Don't Get Burned: A consumer's guide to avoiding scams and fraud after a disaster
- Home Inventory Guide
- Residential Insurance for Homeowners and Renters
- Residential Property Claims Guide
For further information, visit the California Department of Insurance website.