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LWDA Fire Fact Sheet

I can’t work because of the fires. How do I get benefits?

If you lost your job or had your hours reduced because of the fires, you can get state unemployment benefits.  The one-week waiting period has been waived because of the disaster.  Apply here for benefits in any of the state’s top eight languages. If you are not eligible for regular state unemployment benefits, you may qualify for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).  That’s especially the case for self-employed workers.

Just apply for benefits and EDD will determine what program you may qualify for.  Workers have until March 10, 2025, to apply and be considered for disaster unemployment. Benefits are paid every other week as long as you remain unemployed, and you must be authorized to work in the U.S. to qualify.

You can also apply for disability benefits if you were injured or your health was impacted by the fires, or apply for Paid Family Leave (PFL) if you need to take time off to care for a family member. Undocumented workers may be eligible for benefits. Visit this helpful guide for more information.

The fastest way to apply for unemployment, DUA, disability, or Paid Family Leave benefits , is online through myEDD. When submitting your application online, select direct deposit to have your payments automatically deposit into your personal bank account, rather than by a mailed debit card or check.

Workers can also apply in person at the Disaster Recovery Centers in the Los Angeles area, or by phone for unemployment or DUA in their preferred language (English: 1-833-998-2284) (Spanish: 1-855-964-0634), (other languages: 1-800-300-5616).  For disability and PFL benefits, visit Contact EDD  

I’m a business owner. How can I avoid laying people off?

To avoid layoffs and retain their valuable employees, employers can apply for the Work Sharing program if the business’s production or services have been temporarily reduced.  This program allows for the payment of unemployment benefits to individuals whose wages and hours have been reduced by 10 to 60 percent..  To learn more and apply for the program, visit Work Sharing.

Employers affected by the fires can also get a two-month extension of time to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. For additional information, refer to Information Sheet: State of Emergency or Disaster (DE 231SED) (PDF).

Where can I get help finding work, including on fire cleanup?

You can visit an America’s Job Centers of California location in person or online to get help finding a job. To get services online, visit the LA County listing of local America’s Job Center of California or send an email to  workforce@opportunity.lacounty.gov with “Wildfire Impacted” in the email subject line.

The Job Centers will be helping  to hire displaced workers for fire recovery efforts and cleanup. Funding is being provided by a federal grant.  

How can I stay safe when doing cleanup work?

Workplace hazards exist even after fires have been extinguished, including hazardous substances in ash, soot, and debris. Employers performing cleanup and other work in areas damaged or destroyed by fire are required to protect workers from these hazards.

Information on how to protect yourself: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/documents/Wildfire-Health-Safety/WCTT-Heavy-Equipment.pdf

More information on worker safety during fire cleanup: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/Worker-Health-and-Safety-During-Fire-Cleanup.html

You have the right to leave or refuse to report to work in a disaster area if you believe it is unsafe to remain. It is illegal for your employer to direct you to enter or remain in an area subject to a mandatory evacuation. www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/Wildfire-Safety-Infographic.pdf www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/Spanish/Wildfire-Safety-Infographic-Spanish.pdf

I’ve been hired by a private property owner to do fire cleanup work. Am I covered by Cal-OSHA protections?

Cal/OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the frontlines of disaster recovery, ensuring their safety and health as they help restore what has been lost. As with any fire in California, whether it’s a single structure fire or a large-scale disaster like the one currently impacting Southern California, Cal/OSHA enforces standards and protocols designed to protect workers.    

Cal/OSHA offers extensive information on its website about worker health and safety during fire cleanup including a wildfire cleanup training tool.  Cal/OSHA also offers extensive information on worker safety and health in wildfire regions.  

Cal/OSHA health and safety standards protect workers at places of employment in California.  Workers who are legally classified as employees in California are protected even if their employers treat them as independent contractors.

Existing Cal/OSHA standards do not encompass “household domestic service,” such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare performed for a family. Fire cleanup work, including ash and debris removal and cleaning of fire-damaged structures, is not household domestic service, and employees performing this work are covered by Cal/OSHA health and safety standards. Furthermore, even if a worker usually performs household domestic service work, they are covered by Cal/OSHA safety standards when performing all other types of work, such as fire clean up and reconstruction work.  All employers whose employees are engaged in fire cleanup work should consult the resources above and take steps to protect their employees from hazards.  

In addition to workplace health and safety standards, the following important protections apply to all employees, including those engaged in household domestic service: It is unlawful to direct an employee to enter or remain in an area subject to a mandatory evacuation (Labor Code section 6311.5.)  

Employees have the right to leave or refuse to report to work in a disaster area if they believe it is unsafe to remain. It is unlawful to take action against an employee for refusing to work in such situations. This does not apply to first responders or certain other emergency services workers. (Labor Code section 1139.) California wildfires – FAQs on laws enforced by the Labor Commissioner’s Office