FEMA: Malibu Local Assistance Site Converts to Disaster Recovery Center

SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 29 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

The local Disaster Assistance Center in the Malibu Civic Center will close at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30, and reopen Saturday, Dec. 1 as a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

DRCs are jointly operated by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). DRCs offer information concerning resources available to homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the wildfires.

The Malibu DRC in Los Angeles County is located at:

The Old Malibu Courthouse

23525 Civic Center Way Malibu, CA 90265

Hours of Operation:

Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sundays

Representatives of FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other local, state and federal agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations will staff the center.

DRCs are accessible for individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs. They have on-site communication accessibility tools, including amplified listening devices, Video Relay Interpreting and Cap Tel phones. ASL interpreters are available on request.

Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damages to their cars, homes and businesses. Survivors who have unmet emergency needs may apply for aid online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. Multi-lingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Businesses and residents can visit sba.gov/disaster or call SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

Applicants for disaster assistance should have the following information on hand:

* Social Security number;

* Address of the damaged primary residence;

* Description of the damage;

* Information about insurance coverage;

* A current contact telephone number;

* An address where they can receive mail; and,

* Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

California residents in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties can find the closest DRC by going online at https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator or texting 43362 with the message DRC and their ZIP Code. Standard message and data rates apply.

FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid or other federal benefits.