California leaders are working to support residents affected by the Palisades Fire, which caused widespread devastation in the state. A virtual town hall meeting was held last week, where State Senator Ben Allen discussed ways for locals to recover and the government’s response to the blaze.
Allen advised workers who lost their jobs or hours due to the fires to apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance, a program not typically eligible for regular unemployment benefits. He also emphasized the importance of checking with insurance companies to confirm coverage and limitations.
To avoid scams, Allen cautioned consumers to verify that any public adjuster offering their services has a valid license from the California Department of Insurance (insurance.ca.gov). He noted that some scammers may attempt to solicit business within seven calendar days after a disaster.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur hosted a roundtable meeting with local elected officials and lawmakers to discuss legislative solutions for rebuilding affected communities. The assembly member emphasized the need for swift action to help residents recover their lives as quickly as possible.
U.S. Representative Ted Lieu also participated in the town hall, expressing his support for those affected by the fires. He criticized Republican leaders who suggested that California aid should be conditional based on party affiliation or location.
“We’re all Americans at the end of the day, and we shouldn’t be determining disaster aid based on what party you have been registered to or where you live,” Lieu said.
Source: https://smdp.com/government-politics-2/state-leaders-talk-fire-response-on-individual-government-levels