LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISBURSES FIRST ROUND OF WILDFIRE RELIEF FUNDS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & WORKERS

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LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath shares that the first round of small businesses, nonprofits, and workers impacted by this year’s devastating wildfires will begin receiving grants this week. The County’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), through third-party administrator AidKit, will begin distributing grants totaling $2.7 million through the LA County Small Business and Worker Relief Funds.

“Small businesses and workers are the backbone of our local economy, and the devastation caused by these fires has left too many struggling to rebuild and recover,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Through LA County’s Small Business and Worker Relief Funds, we are taking the necessary steps to provide direct support to those who need it most. While this first phase of funding will help businesses stay afloat and workers regain stability, LA County is committed to supporting those impacted, and will continue to work with our philanthropic community who continues to step up for our most vulnerable Angelenos.”

Los Angeles County is moving with urgency to distribute funds after the application window closed on March 12. The initial round of 82 businesses and 324 workers who submitted applications by March 2 are receiving $2.7 million in support. The second round of awards are expected to be announced the week of March 31, with an additional $15.9 million to be awarded to those who submitted applications by the March 12 deadline. Any applicant not selected for the initial round will be considered for the second.

Awarded businesses and nonprofits had physical brick-and-mortar locations that were destroyed in the fires. Awarded workers experienced permanent job or income loss due to their workplace being destroyed or permanently closed.

Aidkit began notifying grant recipients yesterday. To ensure fast and direct access to grant funding awarded applicants will complete an enrollment process to confirm their preferred method of receiving funds. If all required information is submitted, direct deposits will be processed within 2-3 business days, depending on the banking institution. Worker recipients can select to receive funds through prepaid debit cards and pick up their card at designated locations including the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and the Boyle Heights and West LA Impacted Family and Worker Centers.

Los Angeles County is making $53.9 million in relief funds available to impacted households, small businesses, and workers. $32.2 million is directly from the County with $21.7 million in contributions coming from philanthropy and Governor Gavin Newsom. Household relief grants will begin disbursement in the coming weeks.

To learn more, visit recovery.lacounty.gov.