Los Angeles County wildfire survivors who applied with FEMA may have received initial funding for Displacement Assistance. If they still have housing needs, they should reach out to FEMA. Additional rental assistance for short-term housing may be available to eligible applicants.
Short-term Housing Resources
FEMA works closely with families unable to live in their fire-damaged homes to understand their temporary housing needs and provide them with short-term rental resources. Survivors must apply with FEMA to obtain the rental resources.
Displacement Assistance is a one-time payment.
It helps you if you can’t return to your home directly after a disaster. Your payment amount is based on area hotel costs at a rate chosen by the state, territory, or Tribal Nation impacted by the disaster. FEMA funds up to 14 days of temporary lodging at a hotel, motel, or the home of friends or family.
- Can you get Displacement Assistance if you have insurance? It depends.
- If you are insured and your policy covers Additional Living Expenses or Loss of Use, contact your insurer. If you don’t have those coverages or your claim is turned down, you may be eligible for Displacement Assistance.
- If you filed a claim and have exhausted your insurance benefits, you won’t qualify for Displacement Assistance. But if you still need help paying for temporary housing, you may request Rental Assistance by providing FEMA with documents showing how you spent your insurance funds. FEMA cannot duplicate your insurance benefits.
- What if you aren’t insured?
- If you applied with FEMA and your home is uninhabitable, let FEMA know you need Displacement Assistance.
- If you have used up your Displacement Assistance and you still have housing needs, you should ask FEMA for Rental Assistance.
Continued Temporary Housing Assistance
Rental Assistance provides funds to pay a security deposit and rent for a dwelling other than your damaged home. You must continue to work toward a permanent housing plan to remain eligible for Rental Assistance.
- How long will Rental Assistant payments continue?
- The initial rental assistance award, which FEMA pays to the renter, may pay for up to two months’ rent, with incremental three-month extensions up to 18 months from the date of the FEMA disaster declaration (Jan. 8, 2025), if the applicant remains eligible.
- What determines whether you will get an extension?
- Extensions of rental assistance tend to be unpredictable at the time a renter moves in. It depends on the progress being made on repairs to the damaged home or on finding another permanent housing solution. Throughout the rental period, rental assistance recipients must continue to work toward a permanent housing plan to remain eligible for Rental Assistance. They must also comply with their occupant lease and prove their ongoing need for rental assistance.
FEMA applicants can request Rental Assistance by:
- Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center visit DRC Locator.
- Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Mailing your request in writing to FEMA: P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
If you haven’t applied with FEMA, you may apply by:
- Calling the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov,
- Download the FEMA App
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance for the Los Angeles County wildfires is March 10, 2025.