$20 Million in Aid to Support Immediate Recovery Efforts and Workers Displaced by Firestorms

NR No. 25-05
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
[email protected]

What You Need to Know: California is committed to supporting workers in their communities impacted by the devastating Southern California wildfires and windstorms. In partnership with local resources, the Employment Development Department is helping to deliver temporary jobs for humanitarian assistance and cleanup efforts while strengthening services to return affected workers to long-term, meaningful jobs as soon as possible.

SACRAMENTO - The Employment Development Department (EDD) has awarded up to $20 million to Los Angeles County to support the immediate needs of workers suffering job losses or reduced hours in the aftermath of devastating firestorms with temporary employment. The funding also provides the kind of support needed for long-term recovery and more permanent reemployment.

"My heart goes out to so many families in Southern California suffering extensive loss as a result of the fires," said EDD Director Nancy Farias. "We want to do everything possible to lend a hand and support workers and businesses in this area as they try to get back on their feet. These funds offer an opportunity to support the community in starting their rebuilding efforts."

The Los Angeles region will receive up to $10 million that will be coordinated by Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles to support humanitarian aid and cleanup efforts by creating temporary jobs in impacted areas. These jobs will address urgent needs such as debris removal, shelter operations, and community health support-providing critical opportunities for impacted communities to recover and rebuild.

In addition, another $10 million is awarded to the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity to address the specific needs of workers in collaboration with several of the region's local workforce development boards. These funds will enable displaced workers to access transitional jobs, on-the-job training, and other workforce services that support long-term recovery and meaningful careers in the Los Angeles region. Program participants may also receive additional help with other needs as the recovery continues including housing, childcare, transportation, computer training, skill upgrades, and other supportive services, depending on the specific offerings in each local area.

The combined funding reflects a robust partnership between local, state, and federal agencies to quickly address the urgent impacts of the disaster, which have affected thousands of residents and businesses.

"Thanks to our strong partnership with the State and local Workforce Development Boards, this transformative investment will bring much-needed relief to the Los Angeles region's workforce, businesses, and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires," says Kelly LoBianco, Director of LA County Department of Economic Opportunity. "DEO, alongside our America's Job Centers of California and partners, will leverage this funding to immediately deploy temporary workers for cleanup and recovery, and scale rapid reemployment efforts. We are committed to addressing immediate impacts as we work toward building a more resilient economy."

Individuals and businesses impacted by the disaster can access these services through their local America's Job Center of California locations.

Los Angeles County workers and self-employed people can also apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), or regular unemployment benefits through myEDD. Visit EDD's Disaster Services for more information.

Visit California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) News for the current locations and hours of operation for Disaster Recovery Centers to receive in-person help from EDD representatives along with other state and local partners.

To learn more about active emergencies, visit ready.ca.gov.

The Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Additional Assistance Grant are 100 percent federally funded by two separate $10,000,000 grants from the U.S. Department of Labor.

For more information, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity's Senior Public Information Specialist, Angela Herrera, at [email protected] or call (443) 214-9308.

For the City of Los Angeles, please contact Public Information Officer, Wendy Quintanilla, at [email protected] or call (818) 288-4696.

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