As our California community faces this incredible tragedy, we hope to provide support and resources for you and your loved ones. Please see below for a list of resources for those affected by the California wildfires.
Carrier Resources:
- Aetna Disaster Resources
- Anthem Wildfire Resources
- Anthem Resource Advisor Flyer
- Blue Shield of California Wildfire Member Assistance
- Kaiser Southern California Fires Update
- Cigna Disaster Resource Center
- Cigna Coping with Loss Due to Fire
- Health Net Wildfire Response
- HealthAdvocate CA Wildfire Resource Flyer
- Aetna EAP – Resources for Living Wildfire Resources
- GuidanceResources CA Wildfire Resources
- Costco Health Solutions Emergency Response
- Lincoln Financial Wildfire Response
- MetLife Legal Emergency Assistance
- Symetra CA EAP Flyer
- Spring Health CA Wildfire Resource Guide
Local Resources:
Below are additional resources that may be able to assist you regarding the Eaton, Hurst, Woodley, and Palisades Fires in Los Angeles, CA.
- Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery
- https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf
- https://www.osha.gov/dts/wildfires/response.html
- https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
- https://www.ready.gov/home-fires
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire.html
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html
- https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/wildfire-resources
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
- Los Angeles County Emergency Portal – https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
- Los Angeles Fire Department
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
- Cal Fire
- Fire Information – InciWeb
- U.S. Air Quality Index – https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=california
- California Power Outages Map – https://poweroutage.us/area/state/california
- Road Closures
- For information about road closures, you may dial 511 or obtain information online at https://roads.dot.ca.gov.
- Local American Red Cross Locator – https://www.redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter.html
- American Red Cross Shelter Locator – https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
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- Current Open Shelters as of 1/8/2025:
Westwood Recreation Center
1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
El Camino Real Charter High School
5440 Valley Circle Boulevard
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
10736 Laurel Canyon Boulevard
Pacoima, CA 91331
- American Red Cross Smartphone Apps – https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html
- These apps offer updates on current emergencies and provide information on safety during a disaster.
- 2-1-1 LA County – https://211la.org
- 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember phone number that connects callers to information and services in times of need. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during disasters. Please call if you are seeking resources such as clothing, food, or programs for your family.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- 500 C Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20472
- 800-621-FEMA
- https://www.fema.gov
- If a disaster is declared in your area, please call to apply for assistance or visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov.
- FEMA Text Message Program
- To locate an open emergency shelter, text SHELTER and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
- To locate an open Disaster Recovery Center, text DRC and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
- Please note that standard message and data rates apply.
- California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) –https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calworks
- Local Salvation Army Locator – https://www.salvationarmyusa.org
- VRBO – https://www.vrbo.com
- VRBO may offer reduced rates for housing in times of disaster.
- Airbnb helps wildfire victims with free temporary stays – https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/01/08/los-angeles-wildfires-airbnb-offers-temporary-housing/77561992007/
- Planet Fitness opens up its doors for residents and first responders affected by wildfire – https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/planet-fitness-open-l-a-county-locations-to-residents-first-responders-affected-by-wildfires/
Donations:
Please — do your research first!
Natural disasters provide ample opportunity for scammers and fraudsters who prey on people’s generosity. So if you’re looking to help, before you open your wallet or dedicate your time, you need to do your research.
GoFundMe.org has started a 2025 Wildfire Relief Fund that will “go directly to people impacted who are seeking help through GoFundMe fund-raisers, and to nonprofit organizations on the ground providing relief.”
The American Red Cross said people looking to help could visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.
NEOTech 401K carrier – Empower – offers support to customers affected by California wildfires:
Empower announced today it is temporarily waiving distribution and mailing fees in an effort to support the financial needs of individuals affected by wildfires in southern California.
In addition, Empowers call center representatives are available to assist with expediting transactions for customers and providing guidance to help with decision-making.
As a participant in the NEOTech Employee 401(k) plan you are able to save towards your retirement goals. While saving for retirement is important, we understand that sometimes circumstances out of your control can cause you to need that money sooner. So, we are enhancing our plan to allow for Federally Declared Disaster Distributions effective 1/1/2023.
The SECURE 2.0 Act passed at the end of 2022 permits a participant to take a distribution of up to $22,000. To qualify you must:
- Have experienced an economic loss because of a disaster
- Have a principal residence in a federally declared disaster area
- Take the distribution within 179 days of the disaster start date with the distribution being completed within 180 days of that date
The start date of the disaster is defined as whichever is later:
- The first date of the period specified by FEMA as the period that the disaster
- The date of disaster declaration
You will be exempt from the 10% early distribution tax penalty, and you may have the option to repay the distribution within 3 years.
The Empower fee suspension is limited to those who reside in the wildfire disaster zone that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified for individual assistance, which has been affecting the Los Angeles County region for more than a week. The fee waiver will remain in place until further notice, depending on circumstances.
In addition to the fee waiver, Empower last week provided financial support to the American Red Cross, including a gift match for any Empower associate who chose to also make a donation to the agency.
To take a Federally Declared Disaster Distribution, login to your account today at www.NEOTech401k.com or call 844-465-4455.
If you or someone you know needs additional support or assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We stand together with our community during this difficult period.
Patty Bevington, NEOTech Human Resources Benefits and Compliance Manager
January 2025
