CA Wildfire Assistance

In the aftermath of the California Wildfires of 2021, the American Red Cross provided shelter, food, relief supplies, and comfort to disaster survivors. The Red Cross also provided immediate financial assistance to help severely affected households purchase necessities like groceries and clothing. This first phase of financial assistance has closed, and a second phase to people whose homes were severely impacted by the wildfires will begin on December 18, 2021.  This second phase of financial assistance will allow people to continue their recovery, and these funds can be used to help replace household items, offset transportation costs, or support other recovery needs.

Overview

Thanks to our generous donors, the Red Cross is providing financial assistance to households whose homes were confirmed to have been destroyed or sustained major damage by designated wildfires in California during the 2021 wildfire season and have ongoing recovery needs.

To be eligible for Bridge Assistance, households must apply for the program and must meet all of the following requirements:

• Applicant’s pre-disaster primary residence is located in a confirmed disaster-impacted geographic area.
• Applicant is the head of household and is not listed as a household member on any other Bridge Assistance application.
• Applicant’s primary residence suffered major damage or was destroyed.
  • Major damage is indicated by significant structural damage to a residence that requires extensive repairs. This may include substantial failure of the roof, walls or foundation.
  • A residence that is destroyed is one that is a total loss or with damage so extensive that repair is not feasible.
• Applicant needs financial assistance for unmet recovery needs resulting from the disaster.
• Primary applicant’s identity and proof of residence details were verified.