Southern California Wildfire Resources for Employers
Published January 10, 2025
The ongoing fires in Southern California have brought immense challenges to communities, families, and workplaces. We are deeply concerned for all who may be impacted and aim to support you in addressing the needs of your workforce during this difficult time. Newfront would like to share several resources available to assist you and your employees who may need access to care.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions about your company's total rewards program or need information on business insurance resources after a disaster. We are here to help.
Carrier Resources
Our healthcare partners are here to support members impacted by the fires who need to find an available doctor or mental health support, obtain prescription refills, ask specific plan questions, and more. In many cases, insurers will allow additional time to file claims, authorize immediate prescription refills, provide virtual care, and offer more flexible in-person emergency coverage during fire evacuations and displacement. Find your health plan(s) below to see what is available.
Aetna
Disaster resources for CA members: click here
Resources for Living: call (833) 327-2386
Member Services: call (800) 443-2386
Anthem CA
Blog for members impacted in SoCal: click here
For assistance by phone: call (833) 285-4030
Anthem EAP crisis line: call (877) 208-8240
Blue Shield CA
News for members impacted in SoCal: click here
NurseHelp 24/7: call (877) 304-0504
Mental health counseling hotline: call (800) 327-7451
Cigna
Cigna Disaster Resource Center: click here
EAP Tools for HR and Managers: https://eapmanager.cigna.com/
Mental Health Support line (open to non-members): call (866) 912-1687
Veteran Support Line: call (855) 244-6211
Coping with loss due to fire: click here
Guardian
Updates and Wildfire Resources: click here
Member support: call (888) 482-7342 or email cru@glic.com
Kaiser Permanente
News for members impacted in SoCal: click here
Appointment and Advice Center: call (833) 574-2273
Mental health and wellness support: click here
Member Services: call (800) 464-4000; be sure to let the representative know you’ve been affected by the fires
MetLife
MetLife Wildfire Support: click here
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha Wildfire information: click here
Claims assistance: call (800) 877-5176
Member Services: call (800) 369-3809
24/7 Employee Assistance Program: call (800) 316-2796
State Farm
News for impacted CA customers: click here
Sun Life
Notice to affected clients: click here
UnitedHealthcare
UHC Disaster Relief Info:https://www.uhc.com/disaster-relief-info
For emotional support during wildfires: call (866) 447-3573
Line will remain open for two calendar weeks after each reported fire event
If you have UHC EAP: call (888) 887-4114 or visit myuhc.com
3 free counseling sessions per incident, per year
If you do not have UHC EAP: access the public critical support site: https://optumwellbeing.com/en-US
Pharmacy Help: Due to wildfires that are impacting California, UnitedHealthcare is authorizing a one-time override of the refill too soon (RTS) edit for members who reside in or may be visiting the area until January 21, 2025.
Emotional Health Resources
For anyone experiencing mental stress and anxiety related to the wildfires, employees can access confidential counseling through your designated employee assistance program (EAP); support is available 24/7. If you do not currently offer an EAP, there are publicly-available resources that provide immediate crisis counseling to employees.
CCA EAP: myccaonline.com
Access Line to speak with a Specialist: call (844) 636-4581
Enter your company access code online
Trained consultants provide information to find backup care, temporary housing, emergency plans, and more.
Cigna EAP: https://eapmanager.cigna.com/
Tools for HR and Managers
Critical Incident and Disaster Support
Wellness Resources and Webcast
Concern EAP:
To request counseling with a licensed professional, call (800) 344-4222 or go to our website employees.concernhealth.com
Kaiser Permanente
For mental health and wellness support click here
LA County Department of Mental Health: click here
Disaster mental health resources for anyone experiencing distress related to the fires
Lyra Health
To find care, visit specialized.lyrahealth.com or call (844) 901-1082.
Public Crisis Counseling Lines
LA County Mental Health Helpline: call (800) 854-7771
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: call (800) 985-5990; text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
Los Angeles Crisis Text Line: text “LA” to 741741
Spring Health: https://benefits.springhealth.com/
To access in-the-moment clinical support; call (855) 629-0554 and select option 2 for 24/7 crisis support to speak to a licensed clinician
Wildfire Resources Guide: click here
Managing Teams Through Natural Disasters Guide: click here
Managing Mental Health Through Natural Disasters: click here
UnitedHealthcare
Emotional wellbeing and crisis care support: http://www.liveandworkwell.com/
If you have UHC EAP: call (888) 887-4114 or visit myuhc.com
3 free counseling sessions per incident, per year
If you do not have UHC EAP: access the public critical support site: https://optumwellbeing.com/en-US
Family and Caregiver Resources
Access Paratransit: click here
Update on paratransit service for the elderly being negatively impacted by wildfires
Emergency Animal Shelter Information: click here
Find capacity details and staffing information for LA area animal shelters
Family Assistance Centers: click here or call (800) 675-5799
Locate family assistance centers operating in LA and Pasadena on Jan. 10-11.
Grayce: click here
Find shelter, food, and aid for all families and personalized guidance is available for members who contact their Care Partners for support
Parents Magazine: click here
Tips for talking to children about the wildfires and other disasters
People with Disabilities: click here
Tips for sheltering and evacuating if you have a disability or service support animal
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: click here
Tools to help children and families process the California fires and cope together
UrbanSitter: https://www.urbansitter.com/
To help, UrbanSitter is offering a free month of membership to connect you with trusted care providers for child care, pet care, errands, senior care, and household tasks. Use the code SUPPORTLA to activate your free membership. This offer is available until 1/31/25.
YMCA Childcare and Community Access: click here
Get facility updates, free childcare, immediate no-cost services, and learn how to help
Zero to Three Coping for Young Children: click here
How to help babies and young children cope and how to care for yourself as a parent
Government Resources
Both State and Federal Disaster Declarations have been approved for the fires in Los Angeles. The approved declarations make additional federal funding available to affected individuals.
LA County Incident Response: https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
View real-time evacuation orders, find shelter, maps, and more
LA County Social Services: Call 211 or visit www.211la.org
Access 24/7 disaster support
Ready for Wildfires: https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
Learn about how to prepare for and manage post-fire recovery
CAL Fire Services: https://www.fire.ca.gov/
View real-time fire containment updates
AirNow Fire & Smoke Map: https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/
Learn about air quality and smoke conditions in real-time
CA Disaster Services Help Center: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/disaster-help-center
Find public assistance and services available to individuals and families
Disaster Assistance: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Apply for individual assistance from FEMA after a disaster
Red Cross Wildfire Safety: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire.html
Learn how to keep safe before and during a fire, plus shelter locations
Road Closures and Evacuations: https://go511.com/map
Find the latest road conditions and closures for evacuations and other travel-related information
