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A wildfire, flood or earthquake in California: what to do first, deadlines, documents, and which benefits open

After a declared disaster, FEMA registration opens for 60 days, Disaster Unemployment Assistance takes applications for 30 days, and Disaster CalFresh may open for households in the declared area. This page lists what to file first, each agency's own deadline, and the rule that opens each program, from the official pages.

What happens when a wildfire, flood or earthquake hits

Most disaster programs open only after the President declares a major disaster for the area. The declaration starts FEMA's 60-day registration period (s_lii_44cfr206_112). The announcement starts the 30 days to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (s_lii_20cfr625_8). D-CalFresh runs only when the declaration includes Individual Assistance and the state is approved to operate it (s_cdss_dcf_who); a household already on CalFresh that lost food reports the loss to have it replaced (s_cdss_dcf_10day). A household with insurance files the claim as well: FEMA covers what insurance denies (s_lii_44cfr206_113).

First actions, in order
JSONFirst actions, in order
5 items
6 keys
"order"1
"action""Register with FEMA for Individuals and Households assistance. If you have insurance, file the insurance claim too: FEMA pays for needs insurance denies or does not cover."
"program_id""B064"
"deadline""60 days following the presidential declaration, unless FEMA extends it."
"source""s_lii_44cfr206_112"
"program_slug""california-fema-individuals-households"
6 keys
"order"2
"action""If the disaster cost you your job or work, apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance or regular unemployment with EDD."
"program_id""B027"
"deadline""Disaster Unemployment Assistance: within 30 days after the announcement date of the major disaster."
"source""s_lii_20cfr625_8"
"program_slug""california-unemployment-insurance"
6 keys
"order"3
"action""If CalFresh food was lost, report the loss to the county to request replacement benefits; if D-CalFresh is opened for the area, apply during its benefit period."
"program_id""B010"
"deadline""Food loss reports normally within 10 days; a timely reporting waiver typically extends it to 30 days past the disaster."
"source""s_cdss_dcf_10day"
"program_slug""california-disaster-calfresh"
6 keys
"order"4
"action""Ask the local LIHEAP energy agency for help with a utility bill or a disconnection notice."
"program_id""B045"
"deadline""UNKNOWN: the CSD LIHEAP page states no application deadline."
"source""s_csd_liheap_heap"
"program_slug""california-liheap"
6 keys
"order"5
"action""If the fire or damage was caused by a crime, apply to CalVCB."
"program_id""B034"
"deadline""Within seven years of the crime."
"source""s_calvcb_time"
"program_slug""california-calvcb-victim-compensation"

Deadlines that cost money or coverage when missed

Each line is the agency's own rule, with the source id it was read from on 9 October 2026.

ProgramRuleDaysCounted fromSource
B064The standard FEMA registration period is 60 days following the date the President declares a major disaster or an emergency60the date of the presidential declarations_lii_44cfr206_112
B027An initial application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is filed within 30 days after the announcement date of the major disaster; later applications need good cause30the announcement date of the major disasters_lii_20cfr625_8
B010CalFresh households report food loss within 10 days to request replacement benefits; the timely reporting waiver typically extends this to 30 days past the disaster10the food losss_cdss_dcf_10day
B034CalVCB application within seven years of the crimenot stated as a numberthe crime (7 years)s_calvcb_time

Documents to gather

Only documents an official page names are listed.

  • Insurance claim and the insurer's decision, if you have insurance (B064; s_lii_44cfr206_113)
  • Proof of identity of the person applying (B010; s_lii_7cfr273_2_identity)
  • Proof that the household lived or worked in the disaster area at the time of the disaster (B010; s_cdss_dcf_residency)

Programs this event opens

procedure· 961 words
FEMA Individuals & Households Program (federal disaster money for housing and other needs): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
FEMA's Individuals and Households Program pays for temporary housing, home repair and other uninsured needs after a disaster declared for Individual Assistance, up to $44,800 for housing and $44,800 for other needs for disasters declared on or after 1 October 2025. Apply within 60 days of the declaration at DisasterAssistance.gov, in the FEMA app, by phone or at a Disaster Recovery Center; one qualifying household member is enough.
program id
B064
fiscal year
Disasters declared on or after 2025-10-01 (federal FY2026 adjustment)
apply at
https://www.disasterassistance.gov
related program ids
["B010","B001","B011","B027","B035","B079","B042","B067"]
procedure· 1,144 words
Unemployment Insurance (California weekly benefit after job loss): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
Unemployment Insurance pays $40 to $450 a week to California workers who lost their job or had hours cut through no fault of their own and earned enough in the base period. Apply to the Employment Development Department through myEDD, by phone, or on paper.
program id
B027
fiscal year
UNKNOWN
apply at
https://myedd.edd.ca.gov
related program ids
["B001","B011","B012","B028","B072","B021","B049","B045","B043","B060"]
procedure· 1,018 words
Disaster CalFresh (D-SNAP, one month of food benefits after a declared disaster): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
Disaster CalFresh gives households hit by a presidentially declared disaster one month of food benefits on an EBT card, and gives current CalFresh households a supplement. It runs only when California is approved for that disaster, during a short application period at the county. Income plus reachable cash minus disaster costs must be under a disaster limit; California's 200% rule does not apply.
program id
B010
fiscal year
FY2027
apply at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh/disaster-calfresh
related program ids
["B001","B064","B006","B067","B021","B011","B002","B005"]

Official addresses

References (6)
Related pages
Beside
FEMA Individuals & Households Program (federal disaster money for housing and other needs): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextDisaster CalFresh (D-SNAP, one month of food benefits after a declared disaster): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextUnemployment Insurance (California weekly benefit after job loss): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextLIHEAP (energy assistance + crisis + weatherization referral) (help paying the energy bill, crisis help with a shutoff, and free weatherization): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCalVCB victim compensation (California repayment of crime-related costs for victims of violent crime): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (11)
  1. 44 CFR 206.112 Registration period — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“The standard FEMA registration period is 60 days following the date that the President declares an incident a major disaster or an emergency.”
  2. 44 CFR 206.113 Eligibility factors — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“files a claim with their insurance provider for all potentially applicable types of insurance coverage and the claim is denied”
  3. 20 CFR 625.8 Applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“within 30 days after the announcement date of the major disaster”
  4. Unemployment Insurance — California Employment Development Department“Unemployment benefits are temporary income for eligible workers who lost their job (or had hours reduced) through no fault of their own.”
  5. Disaster CalFresh: timely reporting waiver — California Department of Social Services“The timely reporting waiver extends the 10-day timeframe in which CalFresh households must report food loss in order to individually request replacement benefits.”
  6. Disaster CalFresh: who can apply — California Department of Social Services“and who were negatively impacted by the disaster, can apply for D-CalFresh.”
  7. Disaster CalFresh: residency — California Department of Social Services“The household must have lived or worked in the disaster area at the time of the disaster.”
  8. 7 CFR 273.2(f) Mandatory verification: identity — Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), text of the Code of Federal Regulations“The identity of the person making application shall be verified.”
  9. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — California Department of Community Services and Development“provides one-time financial assistance to help balance an eligible household”
  10. CalVCB frequently asked questions: time limits — California Victim Compensation Board“Victims can submit an application within seven years of the crime, or seven years after the victim knew or discovered that an injury or death occurred because of the crime.”
  11. CalVCB frequently asked questions: who is eligible — California Victim Compensation Board“Cooperate with police and court officials to arrest and prosecute the offender.”