EARTHQUAKE: THE ROAD TO RECOVERY : Where to Get Help : A GUIDE TO COPING WITH THE QUAKE

L.A. Times Archives

Feb. 12, 1994 12 AM PT

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Compiled by Times researchers David E. Brady and Stephanie Stassel

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 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.

For all state and local permits needed by employers and homeowners to repair damage and reopen businesses.

West Valley Municipal Building

Office of Building Safety and Permitting, 19040 Vanowen St., Reseda

* Los Angeles Housing Department

(213) 847-7368 and (800) 994-4444

For assistance with relocation and repairs.

* Structure Inspections Hot Line

(800) 655-4095

To arrange inspections of quake-related damage in the 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.

* Placard Information

(800) 890-0223 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For disputes over red, yellow or green placards on inspected buildings in the city of Los Angeles.

* Possession Recovery Information

(800) 664-2489 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

For Los Angeles residents whose dwellings have been declared unsafe to occupy, as indicated by a red or yellow placard.

* 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.

For information about rental properties, short-term housing vouchers and finding long-term housing.

* California Office of Small Business

(818) 373-7092, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Northern Los Angeles County Small Business Development Center, 14540 Victory Blvd., Suite 206, Van Nuys.

* Transportation Information

A transportation information center is at Glendale Galleria’s J.C. Penney Court. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

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 other fraud.

* City of Los Angeles Public Works Department

(213) 847-8811

For information on earthquake debris pickup and structure demolition. Residents who are temporarily housed in recreational vehicles can empty their septic tanks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Sunday at these sites:

Sun Valley: Peoria Street north of Glenoaks Boulevard

Van Nuys: Hayvenhurst Avenue north of Saticoy Street

* City of Los Angeles Household Hazardous Waste Hot Line

(800) 98-TOXIC

* County of Los Angeles Household Hazardous Waste Roundup Information

(800) 552-5218

* Social Security Checks

Social Security recipients and beneficiaries who have lost their homes to the earthquake can, with proper identification, pick up their February checks at local post offices. People who need to notify the Social Security office of a change in address or who want to arrange for direct deposit to their bank should call (800) 772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.

* Unemployment Assistance

The deadline is Friday to apply for federal disaster unemployment assistance. For eligibility information, contact the 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.

(213) 243-1500, for free recorded legal information in English and Spanish.

(213) 243-1525, for lawyer referrals.

* Volunteer Reception Center

(800) 908-5170

For those who wish to volunteer for a nonprofit organization, or for nonprofit organizations needing help.

* Sign Language Interpreting

(818) 752-3320 voice or TDD

(818) 752-3324 (after 5 p.m.) TDD answering machine

Disaster Aid Centers

Quake victims may obtain local, state and federal assistance by visiting the FEMA center nearest them. 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.

Calabasas

Calabasas High School

22855 Mulholland Highway

Fillmore

St. Francis Church Community Hall

1058 Ventura St.

Glendale

Glendale Civic Center

1401 N. Verdugo Road

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.

Newhall

William S. Hart Park (train station)

24151 N. Newhall Ave.

Northridge

Coast Federal Bank

18000 Chatsworth St.

Pacoima

David Gonzalez Community Center

10943 Herrick Ave.

San Fernando

Gage Wilson Building

1245 San Fernando Road

Santa Clarita

Canyon Country Park

17615 Soledad Canyon Road

Santa Monica

Retail space

1431-33 2nd St.

Sherman Oaks

Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park

14201 Huston St.

Simi Valley

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

40 Presidential Drive

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.

Shelters

* Red Cross Hot Line

(213) 739-4543

* Red Cross Emergency Shelters9

Since shelter populations are decreasing, the Red Cross suggests that people seeking shelter and other relief services call ahead whenever possible.

Chatsworth

Mason Recreation Center

10400 Mason Ave.

Fillmore

Fillmore Middle School

1100 Shields Road

Granada Hills

Granada Hills High School

10535 Zelzah Ave.

North Hollywood

North Hollywood High School

5231 Colfax Ave.

Pacoima

Maclay Junior High School

12540 Pierce St.

Porter Ranch

Shepherd of the Hills Church

19700 Rinaldi St.

San Fernando

San Fernando Recreation Center

208 Park Ave.

Saugus

Saugus High School

21900 W. Centurion Way

Sylmar

Sylmar High School

13050 Borden Ave.

Van Nuys

Fulton Junior High School

7477 Kester Ave.

Van Nuys High School

6525 Cedros Ave.

* Salvation Army 24-Hour Hot Line

(800) 725-9005

* Salvation Army Shelter

Canoga Park High School

6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Quake Aid

* Red Cross Service Centers

Caseworkers can assess disaster-caused needs, and provide vouchers for food, clothing, temporary housing/rental assistance, help with health/medical needs, urgent household items such as bedding or cookware, 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.

Glendale

Glendale Civic Center

1401 N. Verdugo Road

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

Reseda Service Center

19255 Vanowen St.

(enter from Tampa Avenue)

San Fernando

First United Methodist Church

1525 Glenoaks Blvd.

Santa Clarita

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

23233 Lyons Ave.

Simi Valley

Simi Service Center

1494 Madera Road, Suite B

Studio City

Studio City Recreation Center

12621 Rye St.

Van Nuys

Delano Park

15199 Erwin St.

Woodland Hills

Church of Christ

23363 Burbank Blvd.

* Salvation Army Community Services Centers

Various emergency services are available at the following sites. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Information: (213) 627-5571

Glendale

320 W. Windsor Ave.

Van Nuys

14917 Victory Blvd.

Simi Valley

1925 Royal Ave.

* United Christian Response/North Hollywood First Assembly of God

(800) 776-0055

Volunteer teams available to help with earthquake cleanup. Information on aid and counseling is also available.

Utilities & Other Services

* Department of Water and Power

Customers with electric or water service problems should call (818) DIAL-DWP or, outside the 818 area code, (800) DIAL-DWP.

* Southern California Edison Co.

Customers should call (800) 643-0517 with service and billing questions.

* The Gas Co.

To request service restoration or report suspected leaks, call (800) 427-2200.

* Pacific Bell

A variety of free services are available to quake victims.

For general information, call (800) 379-0000. For telecommuting assistance, call (800) 303-0309.

* GTE

A variety of free services are available to quake victims.

For information, call:

(800) 483-4000 (residential customers)

(800) 483-5000 (business customers)

(800) 483-7724 (Spanish)

(800) 483-3350 (telecommuting assistance)

Food

* Northeast Valley Health Corp. (Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program)

Offering emergency food vouchers for low-income pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and their children up to age 5. Established clients should contact their WIC clinic.

(818) 373-0010, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays.

Medical

* El Proyecto del Barrio Inc.

Offering free and low-cost medical services from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.

13643 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima

(818) 896-1135 or (818) 830-7080

Counseling

Among the groups providing counseling or referrals for earthquake victims:

* L.A. County Department of Mental Health

(800) 854-7771 for free information and counseling referrals. County centers are also offering free counseling to victims.

* Valley Hospital Medical Center

(800) 345-2747 is a line for earthquake victims, staffed 24 hours a day. Other services include referrals and counseling sessions.

* North Valley Family Counseling Center

Offering free counseling in English and Spanish.

670 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Suite D

San Fernando

(818) 365-8588

* The H.E.L.P. Group

Offering free counseling and support groups on an appointment and walk-in basis.

13130 Burbank Blvd.

Sherman Oaks

(818) 779-5287

* Northridge Hospital Medical Center ElderMed

Offering a community outreach program for senior citizens. On request, a representative will visit local senior centers, senior housing complexes, churches or synagogues. Information: (818) 885-5476

* Valley Women’s Center

Offering free evaluation and support group for women. Individual therapy also available based on ability to pay.

5530 Corbin Ave., Suites 325 and 328

Tarzana

(818) 757-2188

* Encino Community Church

Offering a free earthquake counseling seminar from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday and from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday.

5955 Lindley Ave., Tarzana

(818) 345-8085

Donations

* Blood Donations

For donation sites, call the American Red Cross at (800) 974-2113.

* Red Cross

Make checks out to Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, American Red Cross, Los Angeles chapter

2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90057

* Salvation Army

Make checks out to Earthquake Relief, Salvation Army

900 W. 9th St.

Los Angeles 90015

(800) 725-9005, for credit card donations

* Operation USA

Accepting money for long-term assistance to community organizations damaged in the earthquake and soliciting corporate gifts in bulk. Send donations to:

8320 Melrose Ave., Suite 200

Los Angeles 90069

(800) 678-7255

* Catholic Charities

Earthquake Disaster Fund

1400 W. 9th St.

Los Angeles 90015

(213) 251-3400

* Rotary International

Send monetary donations to:

Rotary District 5260 Earthquake Relief Fund

c/o Highland Federal Savings & Loan