On January 26th, the World Chinese Business Women’s Association of Southern California (SoCal Chinese Women’s Association) held a public lecture titled “The Road to Rebuilding” at the Becker Law Group in Pasadena, focusing on providing professional guidance and practical resources to families and businesses affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, aiming to assist in the post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
The lecture was conducted in both Chinese and English, attracting numerous affected households and businesses, with a live broadcast available online. SoCal Chinese Women’s Association offered up to $1,500 in charitable donations per household, and distributed $50 gift cards to each affected household on-site. They also donated 10 Mobo bicycles, LED flashlights, and other rescue supplies. President of SoCal Chinese Women’s Association, Min-Hua Lee, explained the process for applying for the fund, with applications being submitted through the provided link for review within two weeks before aid disbursement.
Sammy Yu, Vice President of the California Asian Insurance and Financial Professionals Association (CAIFPA), with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, emphasized the importance of understanding one’s insurance policy and maintaining a clean environment to avoid coverage denial. Yu also advised smart shopping when comparing insurance policies, cautioning against sacrificing coverage amounts for short-term savings that could lead to greater losses in the future.
Claudia Lin, an expert in subsidy applications, has recently assisted hundreds of affected households with inquiries. She highlighted the availability of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for those who lost their homes in the Los Angeles wildfires, mentioning that affected individuals could receive at least $53,600 in cash assistance from federal and state authorities. In addition, those whose homes were damaged by smoke or had to evacuate due to the fires may qualify for additional compensations.
Evacuees from affected areas can receive approximately $770 in one-time subsidies to cover essential expenses like food, gasoline, prescriptions, and other crucial needs. However, this fund cannot be used for insurance payments or housing assistance, and applicants must apply before February 8th.
Lin reminded wildfire victims that FEMA assistance must be applied for within 60 days of the disaster, meaning applications must be completed by March 10th, and affected households can apply online through FEMA’s website.
Wendy Doo, a commercial litigator and former Public Adjuster for California insurance companies, advised wildfire victims on rebuilding their homes. She highlighted the importance of checking contractors’ licenses, carefully reviewing contracts, and ensuring a clear understanding of all terms to prevent falling victim to fraud during the rebuilding process.
Doo also addressed landlords, emphasizing strict protections in place for tenants affected by disasters, including rental increase limits capped at 10% below market prices, with violators facing potential legal risks.
Furthermore, Doo recommended that affected households understand their insurance coverage thoroughly during the claims process to prevent unethical Public Adjusters from taking a portion of their compensation, causing further harm to the victims.
Todd Becker, a disaster claims attorney, shared his recent experiences representing 1,200 households of wildfire victims in legal proceedings. He accused Southern California Edison (SCE) of negligence leading to the fires, vowing to fight for justice on behalf of the victims.
Attendees at the lecture included representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and the Overseas Community Center, commending the compassion and efforts of the SoCal Chinese Women’s Association members. They praised the association’s community care initiatives that showcased the collaborative spirit between Taiwanese-Americans and the mainstream American society in rebuilding efforts. They expressed hope for increased assistance to affected households to expedite their return to normalcy.