For Evacuees

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Emergency resources • Recovery: Getting help - Temporary housing & shelter - Rideshares & public transit - Returning home - Avoiding scams - Insurance - Recovering vital records - Financial resources - Lost pets - Mail & deliveries

Emergency Resources

FEMA
LA County Recovers (LA County recovery resources)
211 LA (LA wildfires)
Animal shelters list (LA County Animal Control)

Recovery

Getting Help

Caltech's "Disaster Relief Fund Distribution" memo (1/17/25)
- We are now accepting applications from our community members for a relief grant from the Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief Fund. Relief grants of up to $3,000 will be available for distribution. Applications will be reviewed on a first come basis to all eligible beneficiaries (including students and employees on campus and at JPL) while funds are available. To ensure that support reaches those who need it most, we ask individuals to apply for the aid they need. Please visit the relief fund distribution web page to review eligibility requirements and to apply for a grant. The application for relief grants opened at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 18.
Caltech's "Applying for Disaster Assistance" memo (1/13/25)
- For those who lost property in the fires: Owners of property damaged or destroyed are entitled to property tax relief. To assist, the Los Angeles County Assessor Office is opening Assistance & Disaster Resource Centers to the public on Tuesday, January 14, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Starting Wednesday, January 15, these centers will operate daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Eastside location is at Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
  - Property Relief for Properties Impacted by a Disaster (LA County Assessor Office)
  - Visit the LA County Assessor website or call (213) 974-3211 to learn more about filing a claim or to receive assistance.
  - The Assessor's Office never charges for its services. Be cautious of individuals or organizations attempting to charge fees for property-related services.
CA Governor's Office of Emergency Recovery Resources & Services
Sign up for weekly email updates from LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (updates include information about town halls, community meetings, webinars, and other recovery-related events).
FEMA disaster assistance
- Apply for disaster assistance through FEMA online or call (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
- State and Local level referrals/resources (CA list – search "disaster for specified services)
- FEMA California Region 9 (resources, including Disaster Recovery Centers; Eaton Fire-specific FEMA page)
- FEMA for international students and scholars. Explains the limited types of FEMA disaster assistance available to international students and scholars. Note: International students and scholars with U.S. citizen children may apply for broader assistance for their household on behalf of their children.
- Five Things to Know About FEMA, Federal and Nonprofit Support to the California Wildfires Response
Red Cross Shelters and Disaster Relief
LegalShield members can call (888) 807-0407 (M-F 5am-5pm PT) for access to law firms that can provide help with reviewing and applying for insurance claims, dealing with property damage, reviewing contract agreements for repairs, and more.
For medical equipment needs: Convalescent Aid Society can be reached at (626) 793-1696 x300
Caltech HR:
- Caltech HR wildfire resource page
- The HR Benefits Team is available should you need to access your benefits resources, get replacement insurance cards, obtain provider details, etc. Contact the Benefits Team at HRBenefits@caltech.edu or (626) 395-6443.
  - Anthem members needing Anthem services can contact our Anthem Concierge at (626) 395-6628 or caltech_anthem_concierge@caltech.edu. Anthem's Customer Service Team is also available at (866) 820-0765 (M-F 8am-12am PT).
  - Kaiser Permanente members needing Kaiser services can contact Member Service at (800) 464-4000 (English) or (800) 788-0616 (Spanish) (M-F 8am-5pm PT).
  - Care.com is available if you need backup childcare and is available 24/7 at (855) 781-1303 or Caltech.care.com.
  - VSP members who have lost or broken their eyewear due to the wildfires can call VSP at (800) 877-7195 for assistance accessing no-cost eye care and replacement eyewear. Individuals without VSP coverage can contact their local American Red Cross chapter or shelter, or call (800) RED-CROSS (733-2767) to ask about support for replacement eyewear, which may include VSP Eyes of Hope gift certificates or an alternative solution.
  - The Disability and Leave Unit is available for your or your family members' medical needs. Contact the Leave Unit at Leave@caltech.edu or (626) 395-3092.
  - Employee and Organizational Development is available to assist managers and employees in reconciling time reporting for payroll for those individuals who are unable to work remotely. Contact the EOD at EOD@caltech.edu or (626) 395-6382.
Security is setting up a temporary card office on the first floor of the Central Engineering Services (CES) building Monday-Friday 9am-6pm to replace UID cards for staff that have lost them. Usually UID card replacements come at a price but this will be at no cost.
Next steps for homeowners who have lost their house
JPL wildfire resource page

Temporary Housing and Shelter

Caltech Emergency Housing working group

Hotels and rentals

Marriott is offering special rates to displaced members of Caltech community. Book the corporate rate for Caltech Participating properties and rates:
- Courtyard by LA - LA Live / Residence Inn LA Live (DTLA): $199 per night
- Residence Inn LA Burbank / Springhill Suites LA Burbank: $191 per night
- Amenities: Complimentary breakfast; free Wi-Fi; full kitchenettes
Synergy Corporate Housing
- Fully furnished with housewares, dishes, and linens.
- Utilities and internet included. Move-in ready.
- How to book: Email reservations@synergyhousing.com (cc: Lynn at lellsworth@synergyhousing.com)
  - - Rates for Pasadena: 1-bedroom $6,000-$7,800; 2-bedroom $8,970-$11,070
Property Management Companies
Additional Resources (Realtor Cynthia Cohn)
Additional property rentals (Pasadena)
- OneHome.com
- The RimRose Apartments
  - Floor Plans
  - Price Range: $2,850 - $3,600
  - Available: Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units (limited availability)
  - Location: 3768 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
SuiteAmerica availability spreadsheet (direct links, property details, and pricing information)
Airbnb has expanded its housing program to offer free, emergency housing for 25,000 individuals. Register: 211la.org and scroll to "Airbnb.org Support for Those Affected by Wildfires"
The Hotel Association of Los Angeles has compiled a list of over 160 properties that still have availability and are offering discounts for those displaced by the fires. Click here for the full list of hotels.
Consolidated lists of other discounted options:
- Hotel Industry Rallies to Support Los Angeles Fire Victims—Here are Discounted Accommodation Options for Evacuees (TravelAge West)
- 64+ Hotels Offering Free or Discounted Rooms to Those Displaced by the Wildfires (Matador Network)
- Spectrum is offering Wi-Fi access points to the public

Furnished rentals

Rideshares and Public Transit

Uber: Those going to temporary shelters can use code WILDFIRE25 to get a free Uber ride up to $40.
Lyft: Two Lyft rides up to $25 each to and from shelters. Use the codes CAFIRERELIEF25. The free rides will be available through Jan. 15.
Metro: Fare collection for rides on Metro has been suspended systemwide.

Recovering Vital Records

Guide on Recovering Vital Records (CA Department of Public Health)
CA Department of Motor Vehicles helps Californians re-apply for documents, license plates, and stickers for free at Local Assistance Centers.

Financial Resources

Caltech Employees Federal Credit Union is offering special short term, low-interest rate loans with no payments due for 60 days for member affected by the fires. In addition, the Credit Union can help members with payment modifications and/or loan extensions if needed. Members can call (800) 592-3328 ext. 403 for more information, or visit CEFCU website.
TIAA (Retirement Savings): Employees covered by Caltech's retirement plan with TIAA-CREF may be eligible for a hardship withdrawal or loan from their retirement plans. Login to your account or call (800) 842-2252 to learn more and apply. A summary of options may also be found on Page 82 of the Caltech Benefits Summary Plan Document.

Lost Pets

Help finding and reuniting with lost pets (Pasadena Humane Society)
Spreadsheet of lost and found pets in LA
Animal shelters list (LA County Animal Control)

Mail and Deliveries

U.S. Postal Service

You can have your mail held at the post office for pickup by completing an online application. Additionally, you can request a premium account, which provides a street address for your mail. This allows you to receive deliveries from services like FedEx, Amazon, and others directly to your post office box.

According to the Post Office helpline for the Eaton fire:

Mail is first routed to the regional Post Office at Orange Grove and Lincoln.
It is then sent to the Altadena Post Office for delivery.
Residents should check with the Altadena Post Office for details on how mail pickup will be handled, depending on which locations are open.
PO boxes can be reserved online, and you have 30 days to activate them.
A premium PO box option is available, allowing you to use a street address for your mail and receive deliveries from Amazon and other services. These packages are delivered to the counter and made available to premium box holders.

Amazon

You can locate the nearest Amazon Locker to your temporary location and update your delivery address. Most packages can be redirected to an Amazon Locker for convenient pickup.