An informational session to assist Korean wildfire victims was held on February 3, jointly hosted by the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA), the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA), and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA). The event was attended by Korean homeowners, business owners, and community members affected by the recent fires.
Patricia Park, president of KABA, provided detailed guidance on housing assistance and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“FEMA is designed to support those without insurance or whose insurance does not fully cover their damages,” Park explained. “If damages are covered by insurance, FEMA assistance cannot be received, and victims must first file claims with their insurance providers.”
According to Park, FEMA’s housing assistance program provides support for temporary housing costs and repairs for damaged homes. The program covers rental assistance for those whose homes have been destroyed, as well as emergency lodging expenses at hotels, motels, or Airbnb.
Additionally, it supports home repairs or reconstruction and accessibility modifications for disabled individuals. The maximum housing assistance grant FEMA offers per household is $43,600.
FEMA’s ONA program is divided into Serious Needs Assistance (SNA) and Displacement Assistance (DA). SNA provides an immediate cash grant of up to $770 per household, which can be used for essential needs such as food, water, medications, and infant care supplies.
DA, which also has a maximum grant of $43,600 per household, covers moving costs for those who have lost their homes, cleaning and sanitation, and the replacement of essential household appliances and furniture. However, those receiving DA cannot apply for emergency lodging support under the housing program.
To qualify for FEMA assistance, applicants must provide proof of wildfire damage. “Applicants need to submit before-and-after photos of their homes, along with an inventory of lost or damaged property,” Park emphasized. “FEMA does not automatically grant the maximum amount to every applicant but determines the amount based on reported damages. Therefore, it is crucial to document damages in detail.”
FEMA assistance is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and eligible immigrants, including approved refugees and asylees. If parents are immigrants but have a U.S. citizen child, they can apply for FEMA aid through their child. The application deadline for FEMA assistance is March 10. While FEMA may accept applications for up to 60 days beyond the deadline, applicants must provide justification for the late submission.
During the session, Park also addressed disaster unemployment benefits available to wildfire-affected workers. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides financial relief for self-employed individuals and freelancers who have lost work due to the fires. “For example, Korean landscapers and other independent contractors in the affected areas may be eligible for unemployment benefits,” Park explained.
DUA applications are processed through the California Employment Development Department (EDD), and the deadline for applications is also March 10. Required documents include federal income tax returns, pay stubs, and business-related records.
On February 4 at 5:30 p.m, KAFLA will host an additional assistance session at its headquarters, where attorneys from LAFLA and KABA will provide guidance on FEMA aid and EDD unemployment claims.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-deok, Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency, made his first visit to Los Angeles since taking office in July last year. During his visit, he met with KAFLA President Robert Ahn to discuss support measures for Korean wildfire victims.
Commissioner Lee also reviewed fundraising efforts and relief initiatives for affected community members. “I had planned to visit Los Angeles sooner, but pressing domestic political matters delayed my trip,” he stated. “People in Korea are deeply concerned about the wildfire victims here, and it is fortunate that no Korean lives were lost in the disaster.”
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM, KYEONGJUN KIM, HANKIL KNAG [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
