Wildfire Support Resources for City of LA Employees
In response to the recent fires and windstorms in Los Angeles, we’ve compiled a list of resources available to support City of Los Angeles employees who have been impacted.
Emotional and Mental Health Support
Counseling Sessions
Optum, the provider of the Employee and Family Assistance Program with Support Plus (EFAP), offers Support Plus, a comprehensive range of services to support you and your household during challenging times. These include:
Counseling and Emotional Support Services
Access five free in-person or virtual counseling sessions with a certified clinician per topic, per year.
Discounted rates are available for continued services after the free sessions are exhausted.
Legal and Financial Resources
Speak with an attorney for legal advice or access support for reviewing legal documents.
Convenience Services
Assistance with finding essential services, such as daycare or lodging options.
These services are available at no cost to anyone in your household.
To access support, call 800-213-5813 and use the Access Code: CityofLA.
Grief Counseling
MetLife’s Grief Counseling services, provided by TELUS Health, offer guidance, emotional support, and access to additional resources
Call 1-888-319-7819.
Visit TELUS Health Grief Counseling (Username: metlifeassist | Password: support).
Crisis Hotline
TELUS Health Crisis hotline open 24/7 for you and your family members who may be impacted by California Wildfires. Callers will receive professional emotional support and/or referrals to community resources.
Crisis Hotline: 1-877-757-7587
Additional Resources
Access digital tools like Calm, Talkspace, and other wellness guides to cope with trauma and stress.
For those affected by wildfires or seeking preparation tips, explore the resources below to stay informed and safe:
Additional resources for Anthem members.
LAwell Insurance
Disability Insurance Benefits
Civilian employees who receive health/dental benefits through LAwell are also auto-enrolled into a basic disability insurance plan. The City’s basic disability insurance pays up to 50% of your salary if you are unable to work due to medical reasons, which can include stress, anxiety, etc
Eligibility:
Any claim for Disability Insurance will be reviewed by the Standard Insurance Company and will require verification of your employment and last day at work. The policy does require employees who are fully away from work using only sick (SK) time at the time of claim to exhaust their full SK bank of time before benefits are paid. However, vacation (VC) is excluded. Employees using VC while their claim is being considered can be approved for a benefit without any requirement to use their SK time
How to Access:
A medical doctor will need to certify that you are medically unable to perform work for a period of time. This certification will occur during the claim process, and at the direction of the insurance company.
To start a claim, or ask questions about the claim process, call the Standard Insurance Company at 844-505-6025.
If you have already filed a claim and need assistance or do not know the contact information for your claim representative, please call the Customer Contact Center at 888-937-4783.
EAP SUPPORT
Immediate assistance for anyone impacted by the wildfires, provided by The Standard’s EAP service.
Call 866-799-2921.
LAwell Eligibility Support
If you are unable to work due to the Palisades or Eaton fires and are at risk of losing the City subsidy applied to your LAwell Benefits, please contact our Direct Billing Section to request a temporary waiver of the working hours requirement. You can reach us at per.benefitsaccounting@lacity.org.
Legal and Financial Support
Free Legal Consultations
The Metlife Legal Plan Assistance has been activated in response to the Los Angeles Area Wildfires and state of emergency declared January 7, 2025. Network attorneys can provide document review and consultations for many issues, at no cost, through the Emergency Response Legal Assistance. These include:
Reviewing documents related to federal aid and insurance claims
Providing consultation for identity theft issues due to lost personal documents
Answering questions about damaged property for renters or homeowners
Providing advice on dealing with creditors and bill collectors
How to Access:
Call 800-821-6400 and identify your employer as City of Los Angeles and say that you are interested in “the document review and consultation services being offered as part of the Emergency Response Legal Assistance.”
This plan will be in place through March 31, 2025
LA457 - Deferred Compensation Plan
The City of Los Angeles Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) offers financial relief and resources for employees impacted by the recent wildfires.
Loans:
Borrow up to 50% of your account balance or $50,000 (whichever is less).
Repayments, including interest, are returned to your account via payroll deductions.
Withdrawals
In-Service Distributions: For employees aged 59½ or older.
Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals: Available for those facing financial emergencies.
How to Access
Online: Log in at LA457.com and go to “Loans & Withdrawals.”
Phone: Call the DCP Service Center at 844-523-2457 (Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT).
For more details, visit: How to Access Support and Financial Relief if You’re Impacted by the Los Angeles Wildfires.
Financial Counseling
Through the Employee and Family Assistance Program with Support Plus, provides access to valuable financial tools and resources to help you manage and achieve your financial goals. With BrightPlan Financial Coaching, you can receive personalized guidance while ensuring your information remains secure and confidential.
What’s Included:
Free 30–60 minute financial consultations for wildfire-related financial challenges.
Professional support to help create, manage, and achieve your financial objectives.
Ongoing Support:
Discounted rates are available for continued services once the free sessions are exhausted.
To get started, call 800-213-5813 and use the Access Code: CityofLA.
Employee Assistance Programs
Other departments
For City of Los Angeles employees in specific departments, the following Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are available to provide additional support:
Harbor Department Employees: Call (800) 367-7474
Department of Water and Power Employees: Call (888) 439-7327
Los Angeles Police Relief Association: Call (888) 285-2858
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City: Call (800) 252-8352 Ext. 225
These programs offer various resources tailored to meet the unique needs of employees in these departments. Please reach out to the provided contact numbers for assistance.