Resources Available to DGA Members Affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires

January 13, 2025

Updated January 22, 2025 — 

The DGA has assembled a list of resources for members who have been impacted by Los Angeles-area wildfires and for members who would like to help those in need. The Guild has also organized a dedicated email address to offer any support to members that we can at this time. Please reach out to wildfireassistance@dga.org.

If you are experiencing issues regarding work that may have been cancelled or rescheduled due to the recent fires, please contact the DGA Contracts Department at: (310) 289-2010

For members impacted by these fires, below is a video of a recent webinar hosted by the MPTF that featured guidance on how to navigate insurance claims, financial planning & tax considerations, accessing industry-related support, and more.

For up to-date-information on evacuation notices,
please visit the California Fire Map

We encourage members who live in high risk or impacted areas to sign up for county alert systems to receive notifications via email and text: LA County, Ventura County, Orange County, Santa Barbara County, San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.

To report illegal price gouging during this time, call 311.

If you need assistance, click here    |    If you would like to help, click here

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE

Please visit CA.Gov/LAFires for information on ways to sign up for FEMA and SBA assistance, help seeking unemployment assistance, filing insurance claims, and other wildfire related resources.

You can also find direct links below:

Housing Resources

• The County of Los Angeles Emergency Map is providing a comprehensive list of available shelters.

• FEMA Disaster Assistance Program is a clearinghouse of information and federal financial support for impacted individuals and businesses.

  • Note, if you previously applied for FEMA assistance and have insurance, you may have received a “not approved” message. Federal officials are saying that this was an error.

  • Note, if insurance does not fully cover all costs (under-insured), you are still eligible for FEMA assistance.

• FEMA Individual Assistance – For Housing is currently providing grants of up to $43,600 for dwelling repair, replacement, and temporary housing.

• The California State Supplemental Grant Program provides additional grants of up to $10,000 for rental expenses, housing repairs and replacement, personal property replacement, as well as medical expenses.

  • Note, if you qualify for the full $43,600 in FEMA housing aid, you will likely qualify for an additional $10,000 in aid.

• FEMA Emergency Hotels is providing hotel rooms for displaced people and families (up to 4 people). FEMA registration and ID required for check in.

• The Red Cross is assisting with evacuations and operating shelters across the region.

• Hilton Hotels and American Express are donating 20,000 hotel room nights at no charge to impacted families and individuals across the Greater Los Angeles area.

Assistance with your Mortgage

• Fannie Mae is providing housing counselors who can help with questions at: 1 (855) 437-3243.

  • Note, members should continue paying mortgage payments but may be eligible for additional options such as a forbearance (a pause on payments for up to 12 months). Contact your individual lender for additional information.

Assistance with Property Taxes

• The Los Angeles County Assessor allows taxpayers to file a “Misfortune and Calamity” claim for property tax relief, this can also be done by calling 1 (213) 974-8658.

Assistance with Homeowners Insurance

Unfortunately, in a time of tragedy, there are scammers who will try to exploit any situation. The State Insurance Department has assembled this helpful guide to make sure you are not the victim of an insurance scam.

• California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has published Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants as a helpful guide for homeowners. Download the PDF here.

• State Senator Ben Allen and California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara are hosting free, confidential insurance workshops in Santa Monica on Saturday, January 18, and Sunday January 19 to address insurance-related questions.

  • Please call 1 (800) 927-4357 to schedule an appointment.

• The California Department of Insurance is providing support for impacted homeowners. Please call 1 (800) 927-4357.

  • Note, members should retain all relevant receipts for purchases that may be eligible for reimbursement through insurance.
    
    

• United Policyholders (UP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and a respected voice for consumers of all types of insurance across the United States.  They do not take money from insurance companies or sell insurance.
  
  

• The Insurance Department has also published this guide for helping homeowners understand their rights, and how to file claims.

Direct Financial Assistance

• FEMA Individual Assistance – Special Needs Assistance Grants are a one-time $770 payment to help cover immediate needs like food, water, hygiene, and transportation.

• FEMA Individual Assistance – For Other Needs can provide additional grants of up to $43,600 for additional expenses such as transportation and medical expenses.

• The Directors Guild Foundation is offering assistance to members by calling (310) 289-2037 or emailing foundation@dga.org.

• The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) is currently providing wildfire relief services including financial assistance, supportive counseling, and assistance navigating insurance needs. Click here for more information.

• The Entertainment Community Fund (ECF) provides emergency financial assistance to cover basic living expenses (rent, groceries, health insurance, medical bills, etc.); mental health support; connection to resources; and more. Click here for more information. The ECF has also set up a specific Disaster Emergency Financial Assistance for those impacted by the California Fires in the following ways: Loss of home; Damage to home; Extended mandatory evacuation. Click here for more information.

• LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund - Filmmakers may be eligible for $10,000 grants from this organization.  Click here for more information.

Community Gatherings

Recovering Together - A Community Gathering

Join this drop-in supportive community gathering led by Entertainment Community Fund social workers for California-based entertainment professionals impacted by the ongoing California wildfires. This space offers a chance to connect with others who understand the unique challenges that this disaster has on the industry, share experiences, and find solace in the community. Participants are encouraged to share resources to aid recovery and rebuilding efforts. Whether you want to talk about your personal experience, seek advice or want to listen, we welcome you to come as you are. Together, we can navigate this difficult time and foster resilience within our creative community. Please note that this is not a psychotherapy group and does not provide mental health treatment. If you need mental health support, please contact the Entertainment Community Fund at entertainmentcommunity.org/MentalHealth.

Tuesdays, Weekly drop-in gathering. - Noon - 1:00 PST

NO RSVP is required. You can register through our client portal to access the Zoom link.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Smith, LCSW at 323.933.9244 ext. 422 or email us at western@entertainmentcommunity.org.

Create a portal account or log in to access the group.

https://portal.entertainmentcommunity.org/courses/recovery-together-a-community-gathering/

Assistance with Pets

• The City of Los Angeles has established a dedicated hotline for those in need of help retrieving pets inside the evacuation areas.

  • Call 213-270-8155 and provide information about your pet, its possible location, and its needs.

  • LA Animal Services and LAPD will then notify you once they have visited the property.

Assistance with US Mail

• The USPS allows you to forward mail to a new address or P.O. Box.

• The following post offices have been relocated and customers will be able to pick up their mail at:

  • Pacific Palisades Post Office: Pick up mail at Rancho Park Post Office: 11270 Exposition Blvd, Floor 1, LA, CA, 90064-9998 | Hours: M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Extended Hours on January 12: Sun. 11am-5pm

  • Topanga Post Office: Pick up mail at Santa Monica Post Office: 1653 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401-9997 | Hours: M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm, No Extended Hours on Sunday

Unemployment Assistance

• The Employment Development Department can help if you are out of work due to the fires.

Assistance with Document Replacement

• The California Department of Public Health can provide replacements of important documents like birth and death certificates.

• The California DMV can help replace lost or damaged driver's licenses in person at a DMV office or by calling 1 (800) 777-0133.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP

Beware of scammers who may use this opportunity to setup fake GoFundMe pages, or other fundraisers. Always make sure to do your research and confirm the beneficiary of any donations.

Donate

Members wishing to help should consider making financial or other donations to established charities who are working on disaster relief efforts within our industry and more broadly across the region.

Organizations offering support within the entertainment industry:

• Directors Guild Foundation
• Motion Picture Television Fund
• Entertainment Community Fund
• CA Labor Federation Resources & Relief Funds

Organizations serving the larger Los Angeles Community:

• The Red Cross
• United Way of Los Angeles
• California Community Foundation
• Financial donations: LA Regional Foodbank
• Food donations: LA Regional Foodbank
• Pasadena Humane Society

Volunteer

• Emergency Network of Los Angeles
• Foster an animal from a displaced family