Wildfire Resource Kit

Resources for those affected by the recent wildfires

Westmount Client Service Team

21 January 2025

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, the horrific fires in recent days have likely affected you or someone you care about. If you are in need of support during this tragedy, we have curated a list of resources that may be helpful to you below.

Check back often for updates – we will continue to add to this list as more information becomes available.

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Timely Bulletins

Governor Newsom Extends State Property Tax Deadlines for LA Firestorm Communities Until April 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to suspend penalties, costs, and any interest accrued on late property tax payments until April 10, 2026, for properties in areas affected by the firestorm. This has the effect of extending the deadline for residents in those areas.

The Governor’s executive order:

  • Suspends until April 10, 2026, certain state tax laws that impose penalties, costs, and interest for late payments of property taxes due in calendar year 2025.
  • Suspends certain additional state tax laws requiring the filing of various property tax statements.
  • Applies to properties in ZIP codes 90019, 90041, 90049, 90066, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402, 91001, 91040, 91104, 91106, 91107, 93535, or 93536.

IRS Postpones Tax Deadlines for all L.A. County Residents to Oct. 15

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred from Jan. 7, 2025, through Oct. 15, 2025 (postponement period). As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Oct. 15, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

This means, for example, that the Oct. 15, 2025, deadline will now apply to:

  • Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
  • 2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
  • 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2025.
  • Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Jan. 31, April 30 and July 31, 2025.
  • Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns normally due on March 17, 2025.
  • Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
  • Calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on May 15, 2025.

The announcement states that relief applies to anyone residing in LA County.

The State of California is conforming with the Federal extension and offering the same relief.

Moratorium on Policy Cancellations and Non-Renewals

  1. Insurance companies are prohibited from cancelling or refusing to renew residential property insurance policies for a property located in any ZIP Code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter, for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency, based solely on the fact that the insured structure is located in an area in which a wildfire has occurred. This prohibition applies to all policies of residential property insurance in effect at the time of the declared state of emergency (Cal. Ins. Code section 675.1[b][1]).
  2. When there is a total loss to a residential property as a result of a declared disaster, the insurance company is required to offer a renewal of the policy for at least the next two annual renewal periods, but no less than 24 months from the date of the loss. (Cal. Ins. Code section 675.1[a][3]).
  3. In the event of a state of emergency, insurance companies must offer a 60-day grace period for payment of premiums for residential property insurance policies for property located within the affected area. (Cal. Ins. Code section 2062).
  4. In addition to the above, there are residential property owners that may be up for nonrenewal or cancellation that do not fall within the scope of these statutory protections. For these property owners, the California Insurance Commissioner is calling on all property insurance companies to forego any pending nonrenewals and cancellations that are due to take effect on residential properties located within and around these wildfires. Pending nonrenewals and cancellations would include notices that were sent from the insurance company to the policyholder in the previous ninety (90) days prior to January 7, 2025, but were not due to take effect until after the start of the January 7, 2025 wildfires.

Expanded IRA Distribution Options for Fire Victims

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) permits distributions from qualified retirement plans and individual retirement arrangements (IRAs), and for retirement plan loans, for certain individuals impacted by federally declared major disasters.

Health and Safety

N95 Masks available at all LA County Library Locations

LA County air quality advisories

Clearing the Air: Strategies for Interpreting Air Advisories

Guidance for residents subject to “Boil Water” advisories

Bottled water distribution locations

Meals for displaced residents

Many LA-area restaurants are also offering free or discounted meals:

  • TimeOut LA – These L.A. restaurants are offering free meals to any fire evacuees
  • The Infatuation – Restaurants offering support for those impacted by the LA wildfires
  • LA Times – L.A. restaurants offering shelter, discounts and food to fire evacuees and first responders

Insurance

California State Department of Insurance Resources

California FAIR Plan Claims Form — a syndicated fire insurance pool for California homeowners who unable to find insurance in the traditional marketplace

Westmount Insurance Claims Guide — a step-by-step guide from Westmount’s Financial Planning team

United Policyholders Wildfire Insurance Claims and Recovery Help — United Policyholders is a non-profit consumer organization serving people and businesses in connection with insurance, climate change and disaster recovery.

Housing Assistance & Resources

In California, it is illegal to raise the price of most consumer goods and services by more than 10% after an emergency has been declared. California’s anti-price gouging statutes apply to major necessities like lodging (including permanent or temporary rental housing, hotels, motels, and mobile homes); food and drink; emergency supplies; and medical supplies. For a full list and additional information, visit the FAQ page.

To report illegally hiked rents or other price gouging, dial 3-1-1 or visit lacity.gov/myla311.

Furnished Rentals for displaced families – compiled and maintained by LA real estate agents.

Hotel Association of Los Angeles – click for a list of available hotel rooms for displaced residents. NOTE: These rooms are not free, but may offer discounted pricing.

Santa Monica Hotel information – The City of Santa Monica has compiled a list of hotels offering discounted rates for evacuees and first responders.

The City of Big Bear is also offering discounted temporary lodging here.

Emergency Shelters

Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org for assistance with shelter options and to access free temporary housing through programs like AirBnB’s emergency housing initiative.

California Office of Emergency Services available shelters list

The Los Angeles Metro YMCA is providing no-cost services and support in the following ways:

  • Childcare services
  • Showers, food, water, and essential items
  • Free access to YMCA amenities for displaced residents
  • Mental health support

Additional shelter information (scroll for list of available shelters)

Communications Services

Disaster Relief Resources

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Resources

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

  1. UCLA Research Park West: 10850 West Pico Blvd. [directions]
  2. Pasadena City College Community Education Center: 3035 East Foothill Boulevard [directions]

FEMA Online Disaster Assistance: call 1-800-621-FEMA.

FEMA Disaster Resources may cover:

  • Home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc).
  • Help with child care, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
  • A one-time payment of $770 through FEMA’s Serious Needs Assistance program to cover expenses for emergency supplies like food, water, diapers, and gas for transportation.

California Disaster Relief Resources – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Los Angeles County Disaster Tax Relief – LA County Assessor’s Office

Red Cross Disaster Relief Resources

Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network – Fire & Wind Storm Resource Library

Business Assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration – Explore SBA disaster assistance resources for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds in California.

California Office of the Small Business Advocate: financial assistance, recovery programs, low-interest disaster loans ands to help business owners rebuild and recover.

Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles (LAEDC): no-cost consulting services to overcome challenges, find alternatives to layoffs and strategies to mitigate the wildfires’ impact on local businesses.

Employment Development Department: employers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties directly affected by the Palisades Fire and windstorm conditions may request up to a two-month extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest.

Job Loss Assistance: The City of LA’s Rapid Response Team is offering free employment transition services to assist Angelenos impacted by the recent wildfires.

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank: loan programs for businesses affected by disasters in California for businesses with up to 750 employees.

Document Recovery

When applying for FEMA or other disaster assistance, you will need to provide proof of identity and residence, and other documentation. If you need to replace these or other important lost documents, here are some resources to help you get started:

Driver’s license, etc.: The California Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can help provide replacements for lost driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle titles.

Birth, death or marriage certificates and other vital records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred. For a list of county recorders, visit County Registrars and Recorders or call 916-445-2684; call 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services, or 1-800-735-2929 or visit 711 TRS.

Social Security cards: Contact the Social Security Administration. Visit www.ssa.gov/locator. Social Security representatives are also available Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) across LA County.

Medicare Cards: Call 800-633-4227(TTY 877-486-2048), visit your local Social Security Office, or visit MyMedicare.gov.

Green Card: Visit U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to complete Form I-90, the application to replace a Permanent Resident card.

Passports: To report a lost U.S. Passport, visit the U.S. Dept. of State. Passport services personnel are also available at DRCs.

Federal Tax Returns: Request Form 4506 for a copy of your tax return here.

Military Records: Obtain information on how to submit a request from the National Archives.

Mental Health Support

LA County Dept. of Mental Health: 1-800-854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741 for free 24/7 counseling

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-NAMI

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates the Disaster Distress Helpline. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

CalHOPE Mental Health Services: calhope.org

Animal and Pet Support

LA Animal Services: laanimalservices.com or call 888-452-7381 for crates, bowls, blankets, pet food

RedRover Relief Program: provides assistance for displaced pets

Small animal shelters:

Large animal shelters:

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Disclosures

This article was prepared by Westmount Partners, LLC (“Westmount”). Westmount is registered as an investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and such registration does not imply any special skill or training. Westmount believes the sources used in this article are reliable, but Westmount does not guarantee their accuracy. The information contained herein reflects subjective judgments, assumptions, and Westmount’s opinion on the date made and may change without notice. Westmount undertakes no obligation to update the contents of this article. It is for information purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment, legal or tax advice, nor as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. No part of this article may be copied in any form, by any means, or redistributed, published, circulated, or commercially exploited in any manner without Westmount’s prior written consent. If you have any comments or questions about this artcile, please contact us at info@westmount.com.