STATE OF CALIFORNIA PROGRAMS

California offers many relevant state programs to aid in disaster recovery, some of which are described in this section.

2-1-1 Free Information Referral Center

2-1-1 is not specific to post-wildfire situations. It is a regional, free information and referral center connecting residents to community resources located in their area. 2-1-1 has several regions in California.

California Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency can provide technical assistance to responders in identifying and assessing any disaster-related hazardous waste or pollution threats.

Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)

Upon request by a state or local agency, DTSC may dispatch emergency response contractors to address imminent hazards. Local agencies should follow procedures in place for requesting emergency assistance in disaster situations (for example, the county must contact the OES Regional Emergency Operations Center and request assistance).

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

Debris left from a wildfire may be large and can create public health and safety issues. CalRecycle’s goal is to assist in properly managing disposal of debris from a natural disaster. CalRecycle partners with local jurisdictions in the development of debris management plans to recycle, reuse, or otherwise divert disaster debris from disposal.

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Coordinates with private sector organizations dedicated to providing food, water, shelter and care to animals/livestock. It also provides information on appropriate, available fairgrounds that may be activated as human and/or animal mass care shelters.

California Department of Transportation

Emergency Relief Program

The Federal Transit Administration’s Emergency Relief Program helps state and public transportation systems pay for protecting, repairing, or replacing equipment and facilities that may suffer or have suffered serious damage as a result of an emergency, including natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. The program can fund capital projects to protect, repair, or replace facilities or equipment that are in danger of suffering serious damage, or have suffered serious damage as a result of an emergency. The program can also fund the operating costs of evacuation, rescue operations, temporary public transportation service, or reestablishing, expanding, or relocating service before, during, or after an emergency.

California Department of Housing and Community Development

Community Development Block Grants (Disaster Recovery Assistance)

When major disasters occur, Congress may appropriate additional funding for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program as Disaster Recovery grants to rebuild the affected areas and bring crucial seed money to stimulate the recovery process. Because CDBG funds a broad range of activities, CDBG Disaster Recovery assistance helps communities and neighborhoods that otherwise might not recover due to limited resources. For more information call 916 263-2771 or email cdbg@hcd.ca.gov.

California Health and Human Services Agency

Administration on Aging

A portion of state and community program funds may be used to provide technical services and reimbursement to state and tribal organizations for expenses incurred for services to the elderly during a presidentially declared disaster.

California Office of Emergency Services: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

As the result of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds plans and projects that reduce the effects of future natural disasters. In California, these funds are administered by the CalOES Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Unit. Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, special districts, and some private nonprofits.

Employment Development Department

If the President of the United States declares a disaster in your area, payment of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may be authorized. Individuals who become unemployed as a result of the disaster, and who do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, may file for DUA.

Department of Social Services

Disaster CalFresh

Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh), known at the federal level as the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, is a way to meet the temporary nutritional needs of disaster victims within a 30-day period following a natural disaster. D-CalFresh provides a month’s worth of benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which can be used to purchase food at authorized retail stores. D-CalFresh is only available when all of the following elements occur:

A Presidential Declaration for Individual Assistance has been declared in the affected area Commercial channels of food distribution have been disrupted and those commercial channels have been restored, and The State of California has been approved to operate a D-CalFresh program and the affected county has submitted a request to the California Department of Social Services. CalFresh Benefits Helpline: 1-877-847-3663