Los Angeles overseas Chinese community assistance associations, including OCCNLA, SCTAEAA, IOCCAA, and OCCNOC, jointly held a seminar on “Post-Wildfire Rebuilding” at the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Center meeting room on Sunday, January 26th. Experts from various fields were invited to provide in-depth explanations on topics such as insurance claims, legal issues, mental health, and post-disaster rebuilding, addressing the most pressing concerns of the disaster-affected individuals.
The seminar emphasized the immediate assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies. The executive director of the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce, Ray Yi Jang, introduced FEMA assistance, which includes $770 in emergency relief funds that can be applied for by each disaster victim, as well as up to $43,600 in transitional housing assistance.
FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center is relocating from Pasadena City College Community Education Center to a larger venue in Altadena to meet the demands, providing assistance in various departments including document replacement, insurance claim guidance, and loan counseling. Victims can apply online at disasterassistance.gov and should ensure that all required documents are submitted in full to avoid delays.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers low-interest loan programs for disaster victims, applicable to both renters and homeowners. Additionally, small businesses and individuals can apply for low-interest disaster loans with amounts of up to $500,000. The interest rates for small businesses do not exceed 4%, for private non-profit organizations (PNP) do not exceed 3.625%, and for homeowners and renters are below 2.563%, with terms extending up to 30 years. Interest does not start accruing and payments are not due within 12 months of the initial loan disbursement date.
With changes in FEMA disbursement procedures, there is now an encouragement for disaster victims to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and SBA low-interest disaster loans to expedite the rebuilding process. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and severe needs that insurance or other sources cannot pay for. SBA disaster loans are designed for long-term recovery and do not require waiting for FEMA grant decisions, with loan amounts and terms set by the applicant’s financial situation.
Ray Yi Jang reminded victims to complete all assistance applications within the designated deadlines, with FEMA’s application period of 60 days ending on March 10, 2025. She emphasized that online applications are the simplest, quickest, and most convenient method.
Jason Wang, manager of the auto and home department at Hua Xing Insurance, stated that when applying for insurance claims, it is essential to detail all losses, including photos of damaged property, repair cost invoices, and correspondence with the insurance company. He advised policyholders to increase their deductibles proactively to lower premiums, regularly maintain roofs, trim trees, and upkeep the property structure to avoid coverage denial. Furthermore, consumers should balance coverage scope and costs when selecting insurance as excessively reducing premiums may not necessarily save costs.
Jason Wang also mentioned that due to California law, insurance companies in disaster areas are prohibited from canceling or non-renewing policies within a year, leading many companies to consider pulling out of the California market, potentially resulting in significant premium increases.
Lawyer Fang Xiaowei shared insights on the legal responsibilities arising from fires, preservation of important documents, application guidelines, and legal asset protection strategies post-disaster. He pointed out that the core of post-disaster legal claims includes liability determinations such as fires caused by power company equipment failures, inadequate response from government agencies, and landowners’ failure to properly manage fire risks.
Legal claims related to fires include personal injury claims, property damage claims, class-action suits, lawsuits against insurance companies for improper denials, etc. Fang reminded victims that preserving evidence of losses is key to protecting their rights, such as photos of damaged property, medical records, and written responses from insurance companies.
Nina Ruan, a commissioner from the Chinatown Service Center, focused on the recovery of post-disaster psychological balance. She believed that the emotional and political reporting on media and social platforms could intensify anxiety among disaster victims, thus advocating for information filtering. Ruan suggested that victims engage in community activities, seek professional psychological counseling, communicate with family and friends for support, and cultivate a symbiotic lifestyle with nature to alleviate anxiety.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles Director Cai Chinyao, Los Angeles Overseas Chinese Center Director Chung Peizhen attended the seminar, acknowledging the care shown by the Taiwanese American community in Southern California and demonstrating the kindness of the Taiwanese people.
Federal Congresswoman Judy Chu, California Employment Insurance Appeal Commission Member Mike Eng, San Gabriel City Councilmember Tony Ding, Arcadia City Councilmember Wang Ailin, Mountain View School District Commissioner Wu Mengzhen, Mayor Jessica Ancona of El Monte City, Councilmember Sheila Crippen-Thomas were among the attendees, expressing their support. Despite facing significant challenges, they encouraged disaster victims to remain patient and resilient, continuously applying for and following up on all available resources.
The organizers of the event, President Tian Yihong of the Southern California Taiwanese American Emergency Relief Association, President Yang Jiagen of the Los Angeles Emergency Relief Association, former President Zhuang Xinghua of the Inland Chinese American Emergency Relief Association, and President Chen Qigeng of the Orange County Chinese American Emergency Relief Association were honored with commendations from Congress and the City of El Monte, recognizing their efforts and contributions to the community. ◇