Member Assistance Page - FirstCity Credit Union Wildfire Relief Loans For Our Members in Need : FirstCity Credit Union

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Wildfire Relief Loans For Our Members in Need

We're here to help! Member Relief Loan

First City is ready to help members with a financial lifeline designed to support individuals affected by the devastating California winds and wildfires. These emergency relief loans offer immediate access to funds, helping those impacted cover essential expenses such as temporary housing, medical bills, and property repairs. With low-interest rates and flexible repayment terms, First City aims to alleviate the financial burden caused by the fires.

Recovery Assistance Loan

Loan amounts up to $1,500
No credit check
0% APR* for 6 months
For existing/new members in FEMA declared disaster area
Applicants must directly be impacted by declared disaster

Apply Here

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. The $1,500 Recovery Assistance Loan, offers a 0% APR for a 6-month term, is available to eligible First City members in good standing in FEMA declared disaster area. Non-members would need to apply for membership. New members may be eligible, provided they meet FCCU membership eligibility requirements and pass ChexSystems® review. A 60-day payment deferment is offered, interest will accrue from the funding date. All new memberships will be verified through ChexSystems® and must meet eligibility requirements. For membership terms, visit firstcitycu.org. Accounts and loans must be in good standing. Members currently delinquent on any First City loan may not qualify. Offer effective as of 1.16.25 and subject to change without notice. Restrictions may apply. Applicants must be 18 or older. Not all applicants will be approved.

Member Relief Loan (for applicants that are requesting a larger loan amount and/or persons impacted directly or indirectly by declared disaster)

APR Range: 3.99% – 7.99%
Loan amounts up to $5,000
No payments for 90 days**
Up to 36 Month term
Credit check is required
No application fee or prepayment penalties

Apply Here

**Available upon request only. Annual Percentage Rate ranges from 3.99% – 7.99% based on borrower qualification, not all applicants will qualify. Monthly payment of $29.52 per month on a 36-month loan for $1,000 at 3.99%. Maximum personal loan allowed, including combined Personal Loan balance and Visa Credit Card available credit, is $50,000. Applicants must be active members, in good standing. Not all applicants will be approved.

Skip-A-Pay or Loan Modification

Payment deferrals available on Auto and/or Personal loans
Loan modification options for Real Estate Secured loans
Helps protect your credit

CalFire Loan Deferment Form

Loan deferments for up to 3 months
You can find the form here

Call 800.944.2200 for assistance or apply online for a wildfire relief or emergency relief loan.

I Need Help

Our hearts go out to those impacted by the devastating fires we’re experiencing. We’d like to help in any way we can and have compiled a list of fire relief and recovery resources.

I Need Direction

FEMA | Gaining Immediate Access to Fire Relief Resources

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is supporting the state of California in combating the multiple wildfires burning throughout LA County. Residents are urged to follow evacuation orders and stay informed through official sources, such as local authorities and media outlets.

Download the FEMA App for real-time alerts, shelter locations, and safety resources.

Shelters

Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles (see Red Cross below)
Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 E. Green St, Pasadena
El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima
Sepulveda Recreation Center: Address: 8825 Kester Avenue, Panorama City

Discounted Stays/Temporary Housing

The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach will be pricing rooms at $189. The reservation includes a voucher for a breakfast buffet for two people. Pet and Historical Preservation fees have also been waived.
Visit Big Bear is working with lodging facilities and homeowners to offer discounted stays.
Visit Anaheim has a list of special hotel offers and assistance.

Mobile/Cell Connectivity

Verizon has waived call, text and data charges for customers in hardest hit areas. Free wi-fi and charging stations have been deployed at three wildfire shelters.
AT&T is offering wildfire areas unlimited data, talk and text through 2.6.24
T-Mobile is offering free wi-fi connectivity and device charging 24/7 at the following locations:
- T-Mobile La Cienega & 4th retail store: 364 S La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
- T-Mobile Freemont & Huntington retail store: 1318 Huntington Dr., South Pasadena, CA 91030

Misc.

GoodRx is offering free telehealth services for Angelenos in need. Use promo code LA-GOODRX-CARE. Terms and conditions apply.
U-Haul is opening its facilities across Southern California for 30-days of free self-storage to victims. The U-Box container disaster relief program is also available to assist evacuees and affected families.
Planet Fitness is providing people free access to locker rooms, showers, HydroMassage loungers, electrical outlets and Wi-Fi, regardless of membership status. The offer is valid through the 1.31.25 at Planet Fitness locations across Los Angeles County that haven’t been impacted by the wildfires.
UFC Gym is offering residents, first responders and others affected by the wildfires free access to locker rooms, showers, recovery services, electrical outlets, Wi-Fi and more until 1.31.25. Those impacted, with or without memberships, can take advantage of the offer at the following locations:
- Brea
- City of Industry
- Corona
- Costa Mesa
- Huntington Beach
- La Mirada
- Oxnard
- Rosemead
- Torrance

Red Cross

If you need help, reach out to the free 24/7 multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline at 800.985.5990 for support.

If you need assistance locating a missing loved one because of the fires, the Red Cross may be able to help. Call 800.733.2767 and be ready to provide as much detail as possible to assist in potentially locating your missing loved one.

Red Cross LA has opened an emergency shelter providing shelter, food, water, health and emotional support services. The emergency shelter is located at the Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles, 90025.

Domestic family pets are welcome and must be in a travel carrier or pet crate. Large animals and livestock are welcome at Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91371.

If you go, bring your emergency kit and any supplies you’ll need to help make yourself feel comfortable and safe, such as medication and pet food. Wildfires can spread rapidly, so get your car ready now; don’t wait until there’s not enough time to grab your essentials.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish.

Food Assistance

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is providing emergency food assistance to families and residents impacted by the fires blazing across LA County. Learn more about the fire relief efforts here. The Food Bank is accepting food donations at its two distribution centers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located at:
- 1734 East 41st Street Los Angeles, CA 90058
- 2300 Pellissier Place Industry, CA 90601
Several restaurants across L.A. have stepped up to provide food and coffee to evacuees, firefighters, and first responders. See that list here.
For those who do not currently receive CalFresh and lived/worked in the areas affected by the January 2025 fires, you may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh one-time assistance.
- The application period will be open from February 18 – February 20, 2025
- Applications can only be submitted in-person at any LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) office or by telephone by calling 866.488.8482
- For a list of zip codes eligible for Disaster CalFresh assistance and more information, please visit: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/food.html

Other Things to Watch

Insurance Claims

Here are some tips to prepare for filing an insurance claim:

Create a detailed list of everything in your home, especially your valuables.
Be sure to take pictures and videos since your insurance will likely ask you for that proof when filing a claim. Open up drawers, go into your closets and your garage. Get all the video you can get.
If possible include the make and model of home appliances.
Make sure to capture artwork, antiques, and other valuables.
When you’re finished, transfer the video from your phone onto a portable hard drive or store it in a cloud service.
If you’re a renter, you need to have renters insurance to cover the belongings inside your home.

How to file a fire insurance claim:

If you were affected by fire and you’re looking for next steps, California Department of Insurance has these tips:

Request a copy of your residential homeowner’s insurance policy, including your declarations page.
Take note of the Additional Living Expense limits in your policy.
Track all of your additional expenses that arise from having to live in another location away from your home.
Document all of your conversations with your insurer/adjuster about your claim.

Insurance Support Workshop

The State Insurance Commissioner will host an Insurance Support Workshop to help those affected by the wildfires to understand insurance policies/resources available during recovery.
- Location/Times:
  
  Pasadena City College
  Saturday, January 25 | 10 AM – 5 PM PDT
  Sunday, January 26 | 10 AM – 1 PM PDT

If you can’t make it in-person events you can call 800.927.4357 during normal business hours to as any insurance-related questions

California Tax Information for Disaster Properties

If you’ve been impacted by fires, property tax relief is available. Visit the California State Board of Equalization here.

I Want to Help

Thank you for your generosity! Please stay tuned for ways to help.

Please Note: If you donate to a GoFundMe please make sure you know the person and validate the authenticity of the campaign.

Protect Yourself from Scams

Cyber scams often rise during major events like natural disasters, taking advantage of people’s desire to help. It’s important to be cautious when donating or seeking assistance.

Recognizing Red Flags in Scams
- Watch for Misspellings or Strange URLs:
  Scammers often create fake websites with suspicious domain names. If you notice a misspelled URL or a security warning when accessing a site, proceed with caution.
- Urgency and Emotional Appeals:
  Scammers target current events, like disasters, to make their fake requests seem more urgent. These scams are more convincing when they’re tied to real-world crises.
Protect Yourself When Seeking Help
- Beware of Phony Assistance Offers:
  If someone claims to be offering help, especially after a disaster, verify their identity. Scammers may try to steal sensitive personal information or even identity details.
- Watch Out for Phishing Attempts:
  Phishing emails, spam phone calls, and text messages can direct you to fraudulent websites. Be cautious about unsolicited contact, especially if it claims to be from a government agency or charity.
How to Safeguard Your Donations
- Check for Legitimacy:
  Before donating, research the organization. The Better Business Bureau recommends checking a charity’s credibility on Give.org. GoFundMe also maintains a list of verified fundraisers for transparency. Remember, only donate to campaigns that go to people you know.
- Be Skeptical of Social Media Ads:
  Not all paid ads are trustworthy. Always confirm the legitimacy of any organization or fundraiser you come across online.