Southern California Wildfire Resources for Employers
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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.
To read :
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Modern Health
Modern Health resources and services
Designed in response to global crises as spaces for processing, learning, and healing.
Managing Uncertainty During Natural Disasters
- For tools to help you through this undoubtedly tough time.
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- For coping strategies to better process trauma from learning about or seeing news of this event.
Addressing Stressful and Tragic Events
- For recommendations on addressing employees about tragic events in a non-stigmatizing, compassionate way
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
- For members, access in-the-moment clinical support: call (855) 629-0554 and select option 2 for 24/7 crisis support
- For non-members, apply for free therapy sessions: click here
- Rapid Response Toolkit: 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
The information provided here is of a general nature only and is not intended to provide advice. For more detail about how this information may be treated, see our General Terms of Use.