Disaster Recovery Resources
CONNECT WITH A BUSINESS ADVISOR TODAY AT NO-COST
Call 805.409.9159 or CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment!
Visit your county’s emergency/recovery website for local information:
Los Angeles County Emergency CLICK HERE
Ventura County Recovers CLICK HERE
Ready Santa Barbara County CLICK HERE
IMMEDIATE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
The EDC recommends businesses, self-employed individuals, and nonprofits to take the following action steps:
Check your county’s emergency/recovery website for local information (see above).
Find your insurance policy and contact your insurance agent or insurance company immediately.
Check if your business location is a declared disaster area CLICK HERE. If your business is in a declared disaster area it is important to register with FEMA as soon as possible at CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH or CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH. If you have insurance, you must first file a claim with your insurance company.
If reasonably possible, protect your property from further damage and collect backup or proof of loss documents.
Make a list of areas with structural damage and damaged property.
Revisit your cash flow needs. We recommend businesses reconsider cash flow needs for the next 8-12 months and seek additional capital and financial consulting through the EDC. Call 805.409.9159 to schedule an appointment in English or Spanish.
Review the EDC Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Toolkit for Businesses for full information on the steps above, tips for working with your insurance company and commonly asked questions. CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH or CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH
JANUARY 2025 WILDFIRES
On January 8, California received a Major Disaster Declaration for the California wildfires. The declaration from President Biden allows federal agencies to provide aid, funding and resources to support recovery efforts in the affected areas.
Through this major disaster declaration, California is receiving individual assistance, public assistance and Small Business Administration assistance.
State of California Resources for Californians Impacted by Los Angeles Fires CLICK HERE
County of Los Angeles Emergency CLICK HERE
County of Los Angeles Fire Recovery Information:
1 County of Los Angeles CLICK HERE
2 Palisades Fire CLICK HERE
3 Franklin Fire CLICK HERE
4 Bridge Fire CLICK HERE
City of Los Angeles 2025 Wildfire Recovery Resource Page CLICK HERE
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation Resources CLICK HERE
The City of Los Angeles Economic Workforce and Development Department (EWDD) has compiled a list of resources available for businesses and workers impacted by 2025 wildfires CLICK HERE
The Economic Development Collaborative is hosting a Small Business Development Center Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC). Visit in person at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Ste. A-1, Camarillo, CA 93012, Mondays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more about SBA’s disaster assistance for wildfires CLICK HERE
NOVEMBER 2024 MOUNTAIN FIRE RECOVERY RESOURCES
November 6, 2024, Mountain Fire
The Mountain Fire has not yet been declared an emergency. On November 6, 2024, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff issued a Local Emergency Proclamation and requested California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaim a State of Emergency for the areas impacted. These emergency proclamations are vital steps to activating state and federal assistance programs for both fire suppression efforts and assisting residents.
Review the immediate recommended actions above and resources below.
On November 6, 2024, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff issued a Local Emergency Proclamation and requested California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaim a State of Emergency for the areas impacted. These emergency proclamations are vital steps to activating state and federal assistance programs for both fire suppression efforts and assisting residents.
For direct information from the County of Ventura emergency website CLICK HERE.
The Mountain Fire has not impacted the County of Los Angeles. For updates, visit the Los Angeles County emergency site HERE.
At this time the County of Santa Barbara has not been impacted by the Mountain Fire. To monitor air quality conditions in Santa Barbara County, visit: Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.
Visit the County of Santa Barbara emergency news for updates: https://www.readysbc.org/
This resources section will be activated when a disaster declaration has been made for the Mountain Fire. Check by regularly for updates.
COVID-19 RECOVERY RESOURCES
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 PREVENTION NON-EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
These regulations include some of the same requirements found in the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), as well as new provisions aimed at making it easier for employers to provide consistent protections to workers and allow for flexibility if changes are made to guidance in the future from the California Department of Public Health.
Note: These regulations apply to most workers in California who are not covered by the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard.
CLICK HERE to review the COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations effective February 3, 2023.
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CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
As of March 2022, the CDC now recommends masking based on “COVID-19 Community Level.” Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Indoor masking is only recommended universally if the Community Level is high. CLICK HERE for more information.
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CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH)
On March 1, 2022, the requirement that unvaccinated individuals mask in indoor public settings moved to a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccine status, continue indoor masking. Universal masking shall remain required in specified high-risk settings. CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA & SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION- MICROBUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM
The Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant offers $2,500 grants to qualified small business and nonprofit enterprises in Santa Barbara County! Small businesses that earned less than $50,000 in 2019 are encouraged to apply. Funded in part through a grant from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
Application Window NOW OPEN: March 7, 2022. Grants will be awarded until grant funding is exhausted. For more information CLICK HERE.
GENERAL RECOVERY RESOURCE
1. Remember that recovery can be a long-term process depending on the severity of the disaster. Recovery can last many weeks, months and even years.
2. Be diligent in the practice of self-care. Take advantage of mental health resources that are available to you. Do not skip meals. Be sure to exercise. Get enough sleep. These simple daily activities will help create stability as you navigate a new reality.’
3. Know that you may need extra time processing information that is given to you. Be patient with yourself and engage with services and resources when the time is right.
4. Be your own advocate. Know your rights as an insurance holder and what federal and state resources are available to you. Connect with your local Small Business Development Center to learn about available local, state and federal resources you may be entitled to.
5. Ask for assistance even if you do not think it is necessary in that moment. If your business has been impacted by a federally declared disaster, be sure to take advantage of all federal resources available to you. For example, in the event of a federally declared disaster, the SBA offers low low-interests to businesses that have been impacted. You may not think that you need a loan immediately after a disaster, but depending on the severity, cashflow and sales may be impacted in the coming weeks and months.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers federal low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. CLICK HERE to learn more about the lending options below. SBA Customer Service #: 1.800.659.2955
Loans for those in declared disaster areas: CLICK HERE to check if you are in a declared disaster area.
1 Business Physical Disaster Loans: businesses may borrow up to $2 million 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.
2 Economic Injury Disaster Loans* (EIDL): up to $2 million in working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, 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.
3 Home Disaster Loans: homeowners or renters may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, including automobiles.
Loans for those in undeclared disaster areas:
4 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): up to $2 million in working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, 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.
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EDC DISASTER BRIDGE LOAN FUND
In addition to our traditional EDC loan funds, EDC is offering 4.25% interest loans from $5,000- $50,000 and a 48-month term through our Disaster Bridge Loan Fund to give a cash flow boost to businesses. Email loans@edcollaborative.com or call 805.409.9497 for more information.
START HERE
1 Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool CLICK HERE
2 Farm Loan Discovery Tool CLICK HERE
3 Full list of USDA disaster-related resources CLICK HERE
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a variety of programs for agricultural producers that have been impacted by natural disasters. Disaster assistance is provided by three agencies within USDA:
1 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA): assists products in recovering from the impacts of natural disasters CLICK HERE
2 USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA): helps strengthen the economic stability of agricultural producers and rural communities CLICK HERE
3 USA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): offers financial and technical assistance on conservation efforts CLICK HERE
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USDA RISK MANAGEMENT
1 Producers who have risk protection through RMA Federal Crop Insurance (FIC) should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days.
2 For FSA Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) covered crops, a Notice of Loss must be filled with the local FAS office within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent, expect for hand-harvested crops, which should be reported within 72 hours.
3 Producers who have not applied for NAP coverage may still be covered. Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, on file prior to the applicable NAP application closing date will automatically receive basic coverage for any NAP-eligible crops they plant. Like all other covered producers, underserved producers will still need to file a notice of loss and apply for benefits.
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USDA CONSERVATION
1 FSA Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought. CLICK HERE
2 FSA Emergency Forest Restoration Program (FRP): helps the owners of non-industrial private forests restore forest health damaged by natural disasters. CLICK HERE
3 NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP): provides assistance to local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization. EWP does NOT require a disaster declaration by federal or state government officials for program assistance to begin. CLICK HERE
The EDC Small Business Development Center provides NO-COST advising to businesses impacted by disasters, including:
1 Counseling for financial, accounting, marketing and other post-disaster challenges
2 Management and technical assistance
3 Business planning to help business owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future
4 Assistance with updating or rewriting business plans
Call 805.409.9159 or CLICK HERE to get started.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federal program that provides financial assistance to jobless workers and the self-employed when they are unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster. When a major disaster has been declared by the President, DUA is generally available to any unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and due to the disaster:
1 No longer has a job or place to work; or
2 Cannot reach the place of work; or
3 Cannot work due to damage to the place of work; or
4 Cannot work because of an injury caused by the disaster; or
5 Is now head of household and is seeking work because the former head of household died as a result of the disaster.
CLICK HERE for more information and to apply with the Employment Development Department.
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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) BENEFITS
Unemployment benefits are available for self-employed individuals and employees. If you are out of work or have had your hours reduced, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. CLICK HERE to apply for unemployment with the Employment Development Department.
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EDD WORKSHARE PROGRAM
The EDD Workshare Program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Visit the Work Sharing Program website CLICK HERE to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply. Note: Nonprofits are not eligible to participate in EDD Workshare.
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Local Workforce Development Boards help businesses who need assistance in growing, training or downsizing their workforce. When a business is considering closing or laying off employees, Rapid Response teams can:
1 Assist the business during the transition
2 Help minimize unemployment by providing customized training, incumbent worker training and on-the-job training
3 Provide free information and resources to the affected workers
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board CLICK HERE
Ventura County Workforce Development Board CLICK HERE
Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board CLICK HERE
DISASTER PREPARDNESS CHECKLIST
1 Know Your Risk
2 Take the Necessary Precautions
3 Always Protect Your Data
4 Make Plans to Work with Limited Cash, No Water, Sewer or Power for up to Two Weeks
5 Protect Your Employees
6 Contact Your Customers & Suppliers
7 Review Your Insurance Coverage
For full details, review the EDC’s Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Toolkit for Businesses. CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH or CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH
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OUTSMART DISASTER
Are you prepared for the next big disaster? EDC is partnering with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the California Academy for Economic Development, and Edison International to promote the statewide Outsmart Disaster campaign! The Outsmart Disaster campaign equips businesses with the tools and resources they need to be prepared for disaster. Here’s two ways you can take immediate action for your business:
1 Take the Resilient Business Challenge: a self-guided, give-step process to help your business become more resilient. CLICK HERE to take the challenge.
2 Watch a recording of a Disaster Resiliency Clinic and receive a walkthrough of the basics of preparedness and the campaign’s Resilient Business Challenge:
a CLICK HERE for the English Version
b CLICK HERE for the Spanish Version
Questions? Reach out to the Outsmart Disaster Team at arroyo@outsmartdisaster.com.
SOCIAL SERVICES
CONFLICT RESOLUTION INSTITUTE (CRI)
CRI is a community-based non-profit organization that provides mediation services, conflict resolution training and conflict resolution education to individuals and businesses in Ventura, Santa Barbara & LA County. Their services are provided on a sliding scale based on income/gross revenue. Their team is available to help address commercial and residential disputes. They can be contacted by calling 805.384.1313 or by emailing Info@ConflictResolutionVC.org.
WELLNESS EVERYDAY
Wellness Everyday provides guidance and mental health resources in English and Spanish for individuals and families. Find local resources and guides for children, teens and adults on a variety of topics to support mental, physical and social wellbeing on their website CLICK HERE.
HOMELESS PREVENTION
1 Homeless Prevention for Los Angeles County: Call 213.225.6581 or visit Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) website CLICK HERE.
2 Homeless Prevention for Ventura County: Call 805.385.1800 and leave a detailed message of your situation. Learn more on the Ventura County’s Human Services Agency website CLICK HERE.
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VENTURA COUNTY HOUSING RIGHTS CENTER
The Housing Rights Center is a private nonprofit organization that is contracted with the County of Ventura to provide Fair Housing Services. Their services include free landlord/tenant counseling, housing discrimination investigation and education on fair housing laws. To connect with the Housing Rights Center call 805.477.5977 and visit their website CLICK HERE.
211 is a comprehensive information and referral system connecting people quickly and effectively to health and human services, disaster relief and public information. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no-cost to the caller.
If calling from a local land line, dial 211. If calling from a cellular phone, call your county line below or visit their website:
1 Los Angeles County: CLICK HERE or dial 800.400.1572
2 Ventura County: CLICK HERE or dial 800.339.9597
3 Santa Barbara County: CLICK HERE or dial 800.339.6993
Public Health
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department has issued public health and safety orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please visit the Los Angeles County Public Health Website to view all current safety orders.
The Ventura County Public Health Department has issued public health and safety orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please visit Ventura County Recovers to view all current safety orders.
Santa Barbara Public Health Department has issued public health and safety orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please visit the Santa Barbara Public Health Information Portal to view all current safety orders.
Partners in Recovery
As partners in business assistance, EDC recommends the following organizations dedicated to support businesses in recovery.
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development and business assistance efforts. They offer no cost consultation for incentive identification, site selection, regulatory or permitting compliance assistance, foreign direct investment and export assistance. For more information please visit the GO-Biz website.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) offers short-term and long-term business consulting to assist businesses with recovering from Covid, improve QuickBooks understanding and pivot their business. Free business-related webinars are regularly held in English and Spanish. For more information please visit WEV’s website.
For over 50 years, SCORE has served as America’s premier source of free business mentoring and education. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964. For more information please visit SCORE Ventura County or SCORE Santa Barbara County.
This website page is intended to be used as a starting point to help business owners obtain up-to-date information on disaster recovery resources and requirements in the Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles region. It is not comprehensive. While everything on this page is intended to be accurate, it is not intended legal advice and should not be relied on as such. To obtain legal advice please contact a licensed California attorney. The EDC does not endorse a particular law firm or practice.
