Among the many items destroyed in the Los Angeles County fires were thousands of important documents containing sensitive personal, medical, and financial information.
Jennifer Jorge, director of community services at the Motion Picture and Television Foundation, said survivors of the fires are experiencing a range of emotions, including shock and sadness, while also recognizing the need to take action to rebuild and recover. said.
This article is provided free of charge to help keep our community safe and supported during these devastating fires.
Therefore, after fire survivors have food and shelter, the first item on their checklist is likely to be the application and exchange of important documents.
Some form of identification is required to apply for disaster relief, file an insurance claim, and in some cases receive free supplies from local distribution centers.
But the process can be daunting.
“There’s so much information out there, it’s actually become a bit of an information overload. [the Motion Picture and Television Fund] What we’re really trying to do is provide practical support to help people narrow down what they need to do and start focusing,” Jorge said.
The advice that Jorge and his social care team are sharing with the industry is also practical for the general public.
Additional tips on how to prepare for the document recovery process are provided at the end of this article. However, if you’re ready to get started, here are some tips on what you need and what to do.
Top 6 important documents you need to recover
The top six important documents that need to be recovered are:
Passport Driver’s License or California Real ID (California residents must have a Real ID by May 7.) If you are a homeowner, your real estate deed Birth certificate Marriage Certificate insurance documents (home or renter’s)
These documents can be replaced by contacting the agencies listed below.
US Department of State website. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 legally authorizes the U.S. Department of State to waive passport application and search fees for people with lost or damaged passports after certain eligible major disasters. This is a large-scale disaster that includes the fires in the Los Angeles area. You can visit your local disaster recovery center to request a replacement driver’s license or ID. A DMV employee will help you replace or reapply for free. You can also seek similar assistance at your local DMV office. A list of DMV locations and contact information can be found here. Online reservations can be made here. Los Angeles County residents directly affected by the fires can request property records free of charge to assist with recovery efforts. Call the County Register-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office at (800) 201-8999 and select[オプション 1]Select and then[オプション 2]Select. If you need assistance, you can also email rrccfireassistance@rrcc.lacounty.gov. For more information, visit the county department’s website. Vital records (birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate) must be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the incident occurred. The California Department of Public Health has an online list of county recorder offices and their contact information. Fire victims in Los Angeles County can request vital records free of charge by contacting their county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office. Follow the same steps for property records requests. Call your insurance company and request a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy, including the declaration page. The same guidance applies to renters insurance. According to the California Department of Insurance, insurance companies are required by law to provide this free of charge within 30 days of your request.
Please note that when applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance, you only need the following information:
The names of everyone living in your home at the time of the fire. Social Security Number (yours or your child’s) Household Income. contact address. Information regarding property damage/emergency needs.
If I lose my home, what address can I use for replacement documents?
If you can afford it, you can rent a post office box at your local post office. You can search, reserve, and apply for a PO Box online.
Then, with your completed application and two forms of identification, go to the post office where the box is located and pick up the key.
If a PO box is not available, we recommend finding a trusted friend or family member to deliver your replacement documents.
You can also have your mail redirected to a temporary location by filing a formal mail redirection change of address order online or by completing PS Form 3575 (COA), available at any post office. To complete this process online, you must verify your identity using a valid credit or debit card. There is a $1.10 fee for the service.
Where can I get help and guidance on this process?
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and FEMA and Small Business Administration officials on Tuesday opened the Los Angeles Disaster Recovery Center at the UCLA Research Park, formerly known as the Westside Pavilion, and the Pasadena City College Community Education Center. did.
Employees from all state agencies, including the DMV, Department of Social Services, Franchise Tax Board, Department of Insurance, State Licensing Board, Public Health Vital Records, etc., can assist with record replacement and other disaster-related assistance.
Disaster recovery center locations are:
UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 90064. Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena 91106.
Both centers are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What is a realistic timeline for retrieving these documents?
Jorge said there is no standard timeline for how long it will take for each replaced document to be mailed. However, the agency is reportedly making it a priority to quickly process these requests.
Check yourself and your mental health
When you begin recovering the documents you need, the process begins by asking for help.
“It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, but I think everyone has to really listen to their heart,” Jorge said. “Everyone experiences some level of grief over the homes they lost, the schools their children went to, the memories, the tangible things, all of these things.”
If you need mental health support before you begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, there are several ways to reach out to your support network.
“This is going to be a long journey, and we don’t want anyone to be alone on this journey,” Jorge said.
There is no right time to start this process. But it’s better to start sooner than later, she said.
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