A Guide To Coping With The Quake
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Directory Editor’s note: All information subject to change. Call ahead whenever possible.
* FEMA Disaster Hot Line
(800) 525-0321
(800) 660-8005 TDD
* FEMA 24-Hour Registration Line
(800) 462-9029
(800) 462-7585 TDD
Registrants can choose to apply for financial assistance over the phone or by visiting any FEMA Disaster Aid Center. Be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number and those of other occupants in the house at the time of the quake. Several languages are spoken on both lines.
* Permit Assistance Center
(818) 705-7920, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
19040 Vanowen St., Reseda
* Los Angeles Housing Department
(213) 847-7368 and (800) 994-4444
* Structure Inspections Hot Line
(800) 655-4095
City of Los Angeles residents can also call the following numbers in the 213 area code: 237-0920, 237-0921 and 237-1487, and 485-1936, 485-1937, 485-1938, 485-7091, 485-7092, 485-7093 and 485-8573.
* Inspection Placard Information
(800) 890-0223, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
* Possession Recovery Information
(800) 664-2489, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
* Building inspections in other cities and unincorporated areas
Burbank: (818) 953-9541
Glendale: (818) 548-4830
San Fernando: (818) 898-1227
Santa Clarita: (805) 286-4105
Unincorporated areas in western Los Angeles County: (818) 880-4150
Unincorporated areas in the Santa Clarita Valley: (805) 253-7211 or (818) 984-0610
* Department of Housing and Urban Development
(800) 347-3739 or (213) 251-7091
To report housing discrimination.
* Santa Clarita Valley Housing Help Hot Line
(805) 286-1441, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
* California Office of Small Business
(818) 373-7092, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
14540 Victory Blvd., Suite 206, Van Nuys.
* Metropolitan Transportation Authority: (213) 626-4455 or (800) 2LA-RIDE
* Metrolink: (800) 371-LINK
* Beeline Downtown Shuttle in Glendale: (818) 548-3961
* Santa Clarita Transit: (805) 294-1287
* Antelope Valley Transit Authority: (805) 267-5900 or (805) 945-9445
* Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs
(800) 897-6677, for residents of the 818, 213 or 310 area codes.
(800) 873-2233, for residents of the 805 area code.
* Earthquake Fraud Hot Line
(800) 897-6677
To report price-gouging, unlicensed contractors, charity scams or fraud.
* City of Los Angeles Public Works
(213) 847-8811
For information on earthquake debris pickup and structure demolition.
* City of Los Angeles Household Hazardous Waste Hot Line
(800) 98-TOXIC
* County of Los Angeles Household Hazardous Waste Roundup Information
(800) 552-5218
* Unemployment Assistance
The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance has been extended to March 31. For information, contact your nearest state Employment Development Department office or FEMA Disaster Aid Center.
* Legal Referrals
San Fernando Valley Bar Assn.
(818) 906-3200, (805) 257-7804 or (805) 523-7957
Los Angeles County Bar Assn.
(800) 622-9444, for free recorded legal information in English and Spanish.
(800) 953-4500, legal hot line staffed 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays.
* Volunteer Reception Center
(800) 908-5170
* Sign Language Interpreting
(818) 752-3320 voice or TDD
(818) 752-3324 (after 5 p.m.) TDD
SHELTERS
* Red Cross Hot Line
(213) 739-4543
* Red Cross Emergency Shelters
To ensure availability, call ahead.
Chatsworth
Mason Recreation Center
10400 Mason Ave.
Fillmore
Fillmore Middle School
1100 Shields Road
San Fernando
San Fernando Recreation Center
208 Park Ave.
Saugus
Saugus High School
21900 W. Centurion Way
Van Nuys
Fulton Junior High School
7477 Kester Ave.
DISASTER Aid Centers
Quake victims may visit any FEMA center. Programs are being offered to cover earthquake losses to residences, personal property and businesses not covered by insurance or other aid programs. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Information: (800) 525-0321, (800) 660-8005 TDD.
Fillmore
St. Francis Church Community Hall
1058 Ventura St.
Hollywood
Hollywood Recreation Center
1122 Cole Ave.
Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power
4030 Crenshaw Blvd.
Kedren Community Health Center
4211 S. Avalon Blvd.
Toberman Recreation Center
1725 Toberman St.
Northridge
Coast Federal Bank
18000 Chatsworth St.
Pacoima
David Gonzalez Community Center
10943 Herrick Ave.
San Fernando
Gage Wilson Building
1245 San Fernando Road
Sherman Oaks
Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park
14201 Huston St.
Simi Valley
Sycamore Community Center
1692 Sycamore Drive
Sun Valley
Stonehurst Recreation Center
9901 Dronfield Ave.
Sylmar
Sylmar Recreation Center
13109 Borden Ave.
Tarzana
Balboa Recreation Center
17015 Burbank Blvd.
Van Nuys
Van Nuys Recreation Center
14301 Vanowen Ave.
Winnetka
Winnetka Recreation Center
8401 Winnetka Ave.
* FEMA Earthquake Service Centers
Providing long-term recovery efforts for those who have previously registered by phone or visited a FEMA Disaster Aid Center. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Valencia
28460 Avenue Stanford
West Los Angeles
1901 S. Bundy Dr.
QUAKE AID
* Red Cross Service Centers
For vouchers for food, clothing, temporary housing/rental assistance, help with health/medical needs, urgent household items and some home repairs. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Information: (213) 739-4543
Burbank
Machinist Union Hall
2600 W. Victory Blvd.
Canoga Park
Epiphany Lutheran Church
7769 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Fillmore
Fillmore Senior Center
533 Santa Clara Ave.
Granada Hills
First Presbyterian Church
10400 Zelzah Ave.
Northridge
Northridge Fashion Center
9301 Tampa Ave.
(enter from Plummer Street)
Panorama City
UAW Local 645
7915 Van Nuys Blvd.
Reseda
19255 Vanowen St.
(enter from Tampa Avenue)
San Fernando
First United Methodist Church
1525 Glenoaks Blvd.
Santa Clarita
23152 1/2 Valencia Blvd.
Simi Valley
1494 Madera Road, Suite B
Studio City
Studio City Recreation Center
12621 Rye St.
Van Nuys
Delano Park
15100 Erwin St.
* Salvation Army 24-Hour Hot Line
(800) 725-9005
* Salvation Army Community Services Centers
Quake victims in the following areas may call for an appointment for assistance. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
San Fernando
1027 N. Maclay St.
(818) 361-6462
Glendale
320 W. Windsor Ave.
(818) 246-5586
Van Nuys
14917 Victory Blvd.
(818) 781-5739
COUNSELING
* L.A. County Department of Mental Health
(800) 854-7771 for free information and counseling referrals. County centers are also offering free counseling to earthquake victims.
* Valley Hospital Medical Center
(800) 345-2747 is a help line for earthquake victims, staffed 24 hours a day. Other services include referrals and counseling sessions.
* Lutheran Social Services
Offering free walk-in counseling from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys
(818) 785-2114
* Mental Health Referral Service of Southern California
Offering referrals for private practice health professionals.
(800) THERAPIST or (310) 478-1986
Compiled by Times researchers David E. Brady and Stephanie Stassel.
* Valley Women’s Center
Offering free evaluation and support group for women seeking earthquake-related counseling. Individual therapy also available based on ability to pay.
5530 Corbin Ave., Suites 325 and 328
Tarzana
(818) 757-2188
TimesLink Help
TimesLink provides helpful earthquake-related information 24 hours a day. From the 213, 310, 714, 818 or 909 area codes, dial 808-8463, then press the * (asterisk) key and a four-digit category code. TimesLink is a free service of The Times.
For current freeway closures and alternate routes, press *8210.
For phone numbers of earthquake-assistance organizations, press *8230.
For a list of school closures, press *8240.
For earthquake safety tips, press *8250.
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