Response to North Bay Wildfires (Resources)
Tuesday, October 17, 2017Legal Services and Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities
- Legal Aid of Sonoma County: They have an online sign-up form on their website for anyone interested in volunteering. Please visit their home page at http://legalaidsc.org/ and click on the red “Fire Attorney Volunteer” button to register. The organization plans to run informational clinics and provide direct client services.
- The State Bar of California: They are hosting a volunteer sign-up online for an emergency hotline and other pro bono opportunities at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JVZPFQG.
- Bay Area Legal Aid: Once it is safe to do so, they will be mobilizing clinics and on-site services with staff and volunteers. Please check here for updates: https://baylegal.org/northern-california-wildfire/
- OneJustice: They are acting as a clearinghouse for fire-related legal efforts and has set up a webpage with the most current information: https://onejustice.org/probonojustice/NorCalFireResponse/
Some Donation Recommendations
- Redwood Credit Union, North Bay Fire Relief: https://www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief
- Napa Valley Community Foundation: http://www.napavalleycf.org/supporting-napa-county-fire-relief-efforts/
- Sonoma County Resilience Fund:
Resilience Fund to help with the mid- to long-term needs of Sonoma recovery: http://www.sonomacf.org/sonoma-county-resilience-fund/ - Donate to a Crowdfunding site: There are dozens of donation pages set up for individual people and families affected by the fire. All donations under the “California Fire Relief” section are backed by GoFundMe’s guarantee policy: https://www.gofundme.com/raise-funds/CAfirerelief
- The City of Santa Rosa: They also set up a YouCaring page to assist Tubbs Fire Victims: https://www.youcaring.com/tubbsfirevictimssantarosacommunity-976726
- Donate at any Peet’s Coffee & Tea shop: Peet’s customers can make digital or cash donations for its North Bay Fire Relief Campaign through Oct. 22 at any of its coffee bars around the country.
Housing Evacuees and/or their Pets
- People
- Airbnb: They have activated their Open Homes program for the North Bay: https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/northerncaliforniafireevacuees
- Pets
- Milo Foundation: In Point Richmond, they have hundreds of rescued animals to foster and adopt from the fire areas: http://www.milofoundation.org/
Information for Residents, Migrants, and Immigrants, Regardless of Status
- Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP):
- Gives food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster
- Available regardless of immigration status
- For more information
- D-SNAP Program Overview: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms-of-assistance/5769
- D-SNAP Guidance: https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/D-SNAP_handbook_0.pdf
- In general, short-term non-cash disaster assistance is available regardless of status
- FEMA Longer Term Assistance (e.g. Individuals and Household Program):
- Provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs
- Available if at least one household member is a U.S. citizen or a “qualified” immigrant. For example, undocumented individuals can apply on behalf of a minor child who is a citizen and has a social security number. FEMA can provide information about obtaining a social security number for a minor child. The minor child must live with the parent/guardian applying on his/her behalf.
- For more information
- FEMA Citizenship/Immigration Requirements FAQ (December 2, 2015): https://www.fema.gov/faq-details/FEMA-Citizenship-Immigration-requirements-1370032118159
- FEMA Individuals and Households Program Fact Sheet https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1502371943459-711a17671708a7ded53f0b22315f2597/FACTSHEETIndividualsandHouseholdIHP.pdf
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance:
- Requires that a person be work authorized (and have been work authorized or PRUCOL during the base period)
- For more information
- National Employment Law Project (NELP) DUA FAQ: http://www.nelp.org/publication/how-workers-access-dua-after-hurricane-irma/
- Other Major Benefits Programs:
- Major benefit programs tend to be more flexible about requiring documentation immediately after a disaster – but may require applicants to declare that they have an eligible status – so applicants need to be careful.
- For more information about current California eligibility
- NILC Major Benefits Programs chart: https://www.nilc.org/issues/economic-support/programs-available-to-immigrants-in-calif/
- State Emergency Services:
- California’s AB 2327 (among other things) requires that public employees provide assistance to survivors of disaster without eliciting any information or documentation not strictly necessary to determine eligibility
- NILC’s Disaster Assistance Resources:
- NILC will be updating these shortly
- Funds and Services on the Ground Compiled by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR):
- Links to funds available and organizations in the region to support
- Replacing Vital Records and Other Disaster Assistance and Recovery Links from LawHelp:
- Information on how to replace identification, birth, marriage and death certificates, etc.
- Guide to insurance legal rights, claim guidance and more
- For more information
- Evacuation Centers/Shelters:
- Several local officials have made public statements to make clear that these shelters are open to everyone regardless of immigration status
- The list includes many churches and schools that are hopefully seen as trusted spaces
- For more information including a list of evacuation centers
- Campsite Evacuation Spaces:
- Although these campsites in Sonoma and Mendocino counties are not official evacuation sites, they will be open to meet the temporary immediate needs of displaced residents.
- They only accommodate those who are self-contained. Those who need food, bedding and personal services should contact a designated evacuation center.
- For more information
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