LA Wildfire Recovery Resources 2025 | Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) City of Los Angeles (original) (raw)

Resources Available for Businesses and Workers Impacted by the Los Angeles City Wildfires

In response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, EWDD is compiling a list of essential resources and information for workers and businesses. From financial support to job placement services, find the support you need to navigate this challenging time. Explore the resources by clicking on the local, state, and federal resources below.

If you are a business that has been impacted by the LA wildfires, please fill out the LA Region Wildfires Business Impact Survey. This survey will serve to track, monitor, and quantify business losses in the LA Region. Losses will be totaled and shared with federal and state agencies in the efforts of seeking further support for the impacted business community.

• City of Los Angeles
• County of Los Angeles
• State of California
• Federal Programs
• General Information
• For the latest information on City resources, please visit emergency.lacity.gov/recovery
  LA City Disaster Recovery Center
  EWDD will provide resources to businesses and workers at the Disaster Recovery Center located at the UCLA Research Park. The center will operate from 9:00am - 8:00pm, 7 days per week. These centers will help people:

  • who have lost vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, driver’s licenses, social security documentation)

  • who have lost their homes or businesses apply for disaster relief loans

  • and will provide referrals for mental health counseling and other services
    LA Regional Economic Recovery: Community Business Organizations (CBOs)
    Weekly update webinars from government agencies across the region to provide community and business assistance providers with information, resources and guidance for supporting businesses impacted by LA Fires. Webinars will be held on Wednesdays at 12:00pm (PT), January 15 through February 26.
    Business Assistance
    Any of the 10 BusinessSource Centers (BSCs) spread across the City of Los Angeles can provide free one-on-one consultation, business and employment support, and assistance with applying for forthcoming microenterprise grants and microloans.
    To find a complete list of BusinessSource Centers, use this Interactive Map.
    Employment Assistance
    Worksource Centers and America’s Job Centers

  • Subsidies to Train New Hires pays for training a qualified pool of employees with up to 90% of initial wages able to be subsidized. This program is called “On-the-Job Training.”

  • Subsidies to Train Existing Workers through the incumbent worker training program, the AJCCs can subsidize costs needed to train and up-skill existing, full-time employees.

  • Subsidies to Develop New Training Programs this provides training in new production technology, service procedures or green technology that requires upskilling and retraining of employees.

  • Subsidies for Hiring Youth Workers (Youth@Work) if you hire qualifying youth ages 14-24 for temporary work, this program can subsidize 100% of their wages. Each youth is expected to work 100 hours at no cost.

  • Tax Credits for Hiring Disadvantaged Workers tax credits range from 1,200to1,200 to 1,200to9,600 for employers participating in the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) who hire and employ members of traditionally disadvantaged groups.
    Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Services
    Rapid Response (RR) activities are designed to respond to layoffs by coordinating services to provide immediate assistance to employers and affected workers. RR activities include but are not limited to providing information and access to unemployment compensation benefits, continued health care, employment and training services (including those provided by the WorkSource and BusinessSource systems), emergency services, and other significant services.

  • Layoff Aversion Support - the Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles (LAEDC) offers no-cost consulting services to help businesses overcome challenges and find alternatives to layoffs

  • Job Loss Assistance - schedule an orientation to learn of the resources available to individuals who lost or will be losing their jobs due to no fault of their own.
    Dennis Parks - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (English)
    Itzel Sanchez - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Spanish)
    Additional business resources offered by the Economic and Workforce Development Department:

  • Business Response Unit is a one-stop shop for business assistance - businesses in the City of Los Angeles can submit any question and receive specialized help.
    phone: 213-744-7150
    email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • Business Credit and Debt Counseling to help business owners counter negative financial impacts, recover, and strengthen their financial health.

  • Small Business Loan - customized loans offer fair and flexible terms and can be used for a wide variety of business needs, including equipment purchases, working capital, and acquisitions.

  • Los Angeles Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program provides free legal education and direct representation to qualified small businesses on a number of legal issues such as drafting and reviewing commercial leases and negotiating with landlords, drafting and reviewing contracts, business structure and entity formation; employment law advice; and other transactional legal matters like intellectual property assistance.
    Workforce Assistance
    There are 14 WorkSource Centers (WSCs) and 3 WorkSource Portals located throughout the City of Los Angeles that act as a personal employment agency to businesses. They offer free broad support to business owners and entrepreneurs looking to hire and train workers.
    To find a WorkSource Center close to you, use this Interactive Map for a list of locations.
    Youth Assistance
    The City of Los Angeles has 14 YouthSource Centers (YSC) located throughout the region that provide young Angelenos ages 14-24 the support and resources they need to succeed in life through access to education, paid work experience, and occupational skills training.
    To find a YouthSource Center close to you, use this Interactive Map for a list of locations.
    FamilySource Centers
    FamilySource Centers (FSC) are a one-stop shop in your neighborhood for social, educational, work, and family support services. With 19 locations established in the City of Los Angeles, we can help you find the resources to increase your family income, establish financial security, and build academic success.
    Find a FamilySource Center near you, use this Interactive Map for a list of locations.
    Additional City Services

  • MyLA 311 is your connection to city services and information. Use it to report fallen trees, request clean-ups and more. MyLA 311 can be accessed by:
    - Dialing 311 or (213) 473-3231
    - Submitting requests online 24/7 at myla311.lacity.org
    - Downloading the MyLA311 App

  • Emergency Management Department (EMD) plans for, responds to and recovers from complex events and disasters that impact the communities of Los Angeles by leveraging our distinctive skills and partnerships. For wildfire updates, please visit emergency.lacity.gov/updates.

• County of Los Angeles

For the latest information on County resources, please visit LA County Recovers
Business Assistance

• Office of Small Business (OSB) offers one-on-one business workshops and counseling to start-ups, referrals for legal assistance and financing, contracting certifications, and government contracting technical assistance through the APEX Accelerator. Call (844) 532-4900.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) throughout the region provide free business consulting and training services in all areas of operations and management, marketing, financing, and business planning.
• LAEDC Business Assistance Program
  Free consulting services to help businesses overcome challenges and find alternatives to layoffs. Administered by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
  Workforce Assistance
• America's Job Centers of California (AJCC)
  For Workers: job preparation, job connections, paid work experiences, and supportive services
  For Businesses: recruitment and training, layoff aversion, payroll subsidies/hiring incentives, and more
• L.A. County Library Tools for Job Seekers
  You can take online classes, watch career-related videos, explore the Work Ready book collection, research business information, find links to popular job boards, and much more
  General Assistance
  For individuals and families in need of services, The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) offers a vast array of programs and services that can help alleviate hardship. Please note these programs have income restrictions. Apply for benefits at dpss.lacounty.gov/en.html or by calling the customer service center at (866) 613-3777.
• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy who have little or no assets or income.
• e-Benefits California connects people with services in their county, such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and California Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids(CalWORKs).
  Financial and Credit Management Counseling
• Financial Empowerment – Consumer & Business: resources to help with your taxes, banking, budgeting, and other financial needs
• Clear Point Credit Counseling Solutions: non-profit organization offering credit counseling

• State of California

Business Assistance

• The California Office of Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) lists financing incentives, including incentives by industry, and current grant opportunities.

• California Innovation Hubs bridge the connection to local networks and communities and increase access to critical advising and training services. Some of the services available may include:
  * identification of market and project opportunities through leveraging local networks
  * industry-specific workshops on business and innovation development
  * product development and testing resources
  * access to funding opportunities and grant writing connections
  * workforce skill development programs
  * direct advising and mentorships with industry experts

• California State Treasurer’s Office CA Capital Access Program (calCAP) is a loan loss reserve program that may provide up to 10% courage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. To find a participating lender, visit treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/PFI_lenders.pdf. Send completed Applications to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (916) 653-2995.

• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) provide financial solutions for residents and small business owners, including small business loans, equity investments, personal financial services, and education and financial literacy.

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offers Working Capital loans from 100,000to100,000 to 100,000to500,000 for commercial and small businesses, as well as other loan products.

• California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK)
  IBank offers loan programs for businesses affected by disasters in California. IBank, a unit within California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), offers loan programs for businesses from one to 750 employees (small businesses).
  * Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP): IBank will issue loan guarantees up to 95% of the loan through its partner Financial Development Corporation to help small business borrowers who were impacted by disaster who need term loans or lines of credit for working capital.
  * Jump Start Loan Program: IBank is offering loans from 500to500 to 500to10,000 to low-wealthy entrepreneurs in the declared disaster and emergency areas through this program.

Workforce Assistance

• Employment Development Department (EDD) - Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  A dedicated UI phone line for fire victims is now live for those who lost their job or can’t work because of a disaster. Additionally, you may qualify for the California EDD unemployment, disability, or Paid Family Leave benefits.

• Federal Programs

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Assistance
Individual assistance available is through FEMA. Below are three ways to register for FEMA Assistance and a video tutorial:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applying online is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to apply.

• On the FEMA App, for mobile devices.

• Call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, open from 4am to 10pm (PT). Help is available in most languages.

• FEMA Video Tutorial on how to register for disaster assistance.
  Small Business Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
  SBA Disaster Loans are now available for Los Angeles County victims of the wind and wildfire events which started Jan 7, 2025. To apply, please visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster. Available programs include:

• Home Disaster Loans - loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

• Business Disaster Loans - loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans - working capital loans to help small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
  Hardship Accommodation Plan | Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
  SBA is offering a Hardship Accommodation Plan for borrowers experiencing short-term financial challenges. Borrowers eligible for this plan may make reduced payments for a six-month period, with the option to renew after the plan concludes. Interest will continue to accrue, which may increase (or create) a balloon payment due at the end of the loan term. To learn more, please visit sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loan/manage-your-eidl.
  SBA offers a variety of loan programs to assist small businesses, ranging from micro-loans of up to 50,000tobankloansofupto50,000 to bank loans of up to 50,000tobankloansofupto5 million guaranteed by the SBA. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for more information on SBA assistance.
  SBA Business Resource Partners around the country provide training, opportunities, and funding to communities in their local area.

• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide entrepreneurial training and counseling

• SCORE Business Mentors connect you with a business mentor

• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) provides support to start or grow your business

• Women's Business Centers provide training, counseling, and resources to women-owned businesses
  Small Business Development Centers
  Small Business Development Centers provide no-cost, one-on-one consulting and low-cost training services and programs to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Small business center counselors can help identify any relevant privately funded grants for a specific city or county, as well as low-interest business loans, other local lending institutions, and state-backed loan guarantee programs.
  Los Angeles Locations:

• Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network-Lead Center hosted by Long Beach City College
  4900 East Conant Street Building O2, Suite #108
  Long Beach, CA 90808
  562-938-5020

• SBDC Hosted by PCR Business Finance
  3255 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite #1501
  Los Angeles, CA 90010
  213-674-2696

• SBDC Hosted by Pasadena City College
  3035 East Foothill Boulevard, Room #122
  Pasadena, CA 91107
  626-585-3105

• SBDC Hosted by El Camino College
  13430 Hawthorne Boulevard
  Hawthorne, CA 90250
  310-225-8277

• General Information

Restaurants Care
Restaurants Care opened a temporary fund to provide emergency relief grants to food and beverage workers impacted by the Los Angeles Area Fires. Grants will range between 350−350-350−1,500 and will be awarded based on need and available funding.

This WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For assistance with WIOA funded program complaints or auxiliary aid accommodation requests, Contact Us.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

© 2025 Economic & Workforce Development Department, City of Los Angeles, unless otherwise noted. All logos, names, insignias, etc. of City Departments, Elected Official Offices, and Commissions are trademarks of the City of Los Angeles. Unauthorized use prohibited.