FEMA may provide financial assistance for alternate temporary housing if you are displaced from your primary residence due to the Los Angeles County wildfires.
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) provides short-term hotel/motel lodging for eligible disaster survivors whose residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible because of the wildfires. FEMA Rental Assistance offers continued assistance when TSA ends and pays for alternate temporary housing if a homeowner or renter is displaced from their primary residence. Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, at a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water.
To be eligible for Rental Assistance, you must prove an ongoing need, which may be that suitable housing is not available or that your permanent housing plan has not been completed through no fault of your own. If you intend to seek continued assistance, you’ll need receipts to show you used the assistance for rent. Survivors should keep receipts for three years.
You may qualify for continued assistance if you:
- Demonstrate your disaster-related financial need; and
Show you are developing a permanent housing plan or demonstrate progress toward one. A contractor’s estimate of repairs can point to progress.
*A plan to return to your pre-disaster home after repairs are made or find another permanent home. You must continue to work toward obtaining permanent housing to remain eligible for continued Rental Assistance.
- If your housing situation or circumstances change, it’s important to stay in contact with FEMA, as this could impact your eligibility.
For an American Sign Language video on TSA, visit FEMA Accessible: Transitional Sheltering Assistance - ADA Accommodations
What does the process of applying for FEMA Rental Assistance look like?
- Apply for FEMA disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the FEMA App, at 800-621-3362 or at a Disaster Recovery Center. To find one in your area, visit DRC Locator.
- FEMA will assess eligibility through a housing inspection.
- If you are eligible, you will receive Displacement Assistance.
- If temporary housing is still needed, request FEMA Rental Assistance via call, visiting a DRC, or in writing.
- If approved, receive an initial rental award of up to two months of rent.
- Apply for continued assistance if needed.