Earthquake: The Long Road Back : Where to Get Help : A Guide to Coping With the Quake

Editor’s note: All information subject to change. Call ahead whenever possible. *

DIRECTORY * Disaster Hot Line

(800) 525-0321

(800) 660-8005 TDD

These numbers have been established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for general information.

* FEMA 24-Hour Registration Line

(800) 462-9029

(800) 462-7585 TDD

Registrants can choose to apply for financial assistance over the phone or by visiting one of the disaster aid centers listed below. Be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number and those of other occupants in the house at the time of the earthquake. Several languages are spoken on both lines, including Spanish. Applicants may apply at any center.

* Permit Assistance Center

(818) 705-7920

For all state and local permits needed by employers and homeowners to repair damage and reopen businesses. The one-stop center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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

(800) 655-4095

The city of Los Angeles has set up this 24-hour hot line to arrange inspections of quake-related damage. The city has also established 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. People living in the 818 and 310 area codes should also call these 213 numbers.

* Placard Information

For disputes about red, yellow or green placards on inspected buildings in the city of Los Angeles, call (800) 890-0223 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Possession Recovery Information

Los Angeles residents whose dwellings have been declared unsafe to occupy, as indicated by a red or yellow placard, can call (800) 664-2489 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Building inspections in other cities and unincorporated areas

City of Burbank building inspections: (818) 953-9541

City of Glendale building inspections: (818) 548-4830

City of San Fernando building inspections: (818) 898-1227

City of Santa Clarita building inspections: (805) 286-4105

Residents of unincorporated areas in western Los Angeles County, including Malibu, Topanga, Chatsworth, Agoura and Calabasas, can call (818) 880-4150 for structure inspections.

Residents of unincorporated areas in the Santa Clarita Valley can call (805) 253-7211 or (818) 984-0610 for structure inspections.

* Santa Clarita Valley Housing Help Hot Line

(805) 286-1441

The Santa Clarita Valley Assn. of Realtors has established this hot line for area residents who have lost a home and need one to rent or for property owners who have rental units available. Information about temporary vouchers for short-term housing and about finding long-term housing is also available. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* Housing Discrimination Hot Line

Earthquake victims who have been refused housing because they have children or due to their race, color, religion, gender, national origin or handicap can call the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development at (800) 347-3739 or (213) 251-7091.

* California Office of Small Business

This office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to direct small businesses to financial resources, in addition to management and technical assistance.

Northern Los Angeles County Small Business Development Center

14540 Victory Blvd., Suite 206

Van Nuys

(818) 373-7092

* Transportation Information

A transportation information center has been established at Glendale Galleria’s JC Penney Court to provide the public with information on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metrolink and Beeline. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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 of Department of Consumer Affairs

Residents living in the 818, 213 or 310 area codes can call (800) 897-6677

Residents living in the 805 area code can call (800) 873-2233

* Earthquake Fraud Hot Line

(800) 897-6677

To report price gouging, unlicensed contractors, charity scams or other fraud.

* City of Los Angeles Public Works

(213) 847-8811

For information about earthquake debris pickup and structure demolition.

* Household Hazardous Waste Hot Line

(800) 98-TOXIC

For information about household hazardous waste, trash pickup, illegal dumping, asbestos, oil recycling and to make appointments to dispose of hazardous waste.

* 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 their local post offices. The SSI (supplemental security income) checks became available Tuesday, and the Social Security checks became available Thursday. Change of address forms are also available at all post offices for people who have moved to temporary addresses. People who need to notify the Social Security office of address changes or 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

Individuals whose work was interrupted by the earthquake can apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance. DUA is available to self-employed people, people ineligible for regular employment insurance, those whose routes to work have been disrupted by the quake, those scheduled to begin work on or after Jan. 17 who have been unable to do so, and people whose employment was interrupted as a result of quake-related injuries. For information, contact your nearest state Employment Development Department office or FEMA Disaster Aid Center. The claims deadline is Feb. 18.

* Legal Referrals

The following organizations will waive lawyer referral fees for quake victims:

San Fernando Valley Bar Assn.

(818) 906-3200

for San Fernando Valley residents

(805) 257-7804

for Antelope and Santa Clarita

Valley residents

(805) 523-7957

for Simi and Conejo Valley residents

Los Angeles County Bar Assn.

(213) 243-1500

for free recorded legal information

in English and Spanish

(213) 243-1525

for lawyer referrals

* Korean Language Disaster Assistance

Korean speakers with questions about government programs can call (818) 363-5334 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* 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

For deaf and hard-of-hearing people needing a sign language interpreter or other assistance:

Accommodating Ideas

5032 Lankershim Blvd., Suite 1

North Hollywood

(818) 752-3320 voice or TDD

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

DISASTER AID CENTERS

FEMA application centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice. Those who have suffered losses may obtain local, state and federal assistance by visiting the center nearest them. Programs are being offered to cover earthquake losses to homes, personal property and businesses not covered by insurance or other aid programs. Information: (800) 462-9029 or (800) 462-7585 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 & Power

4030 Crenshaw Blvd.

Kedren Community Health Center

4211 S. Avalon Blvd.

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

For receiving or offering assistance. Red Cross shelters can provide food, blankets, some medical care and cots for an overnight stay. Salvation Army shelters also provide food and a place to stay.

* Red Cross Emergency Shelters

The Red Cross has noted that populations at shelters are decreasing and suggests that people seeking shelter and other relief services call ahead whenever possible.

McCambridge Recreation Center

1515 Glenoaks Blvd.

Chatsworth

Mason Recreation Center

10400 Mason Ave.

Fillmore

Fillmore Middle School

1100 Shields Road

Glendale

Glendale Armory

220 Colorado Blvd.

Granada Hills

Granada Hills High School

10535 Zelzah Ave.

North Hills

Sepulveda Recreation Center

8801 Kester 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.

Santa Clarita

Boys and Girls Club

24909 N. Newhall Ave.

Canyon High School

19300 W. Nadal St.

Newhall Senior Center

22900 Market Ave.

Saugus

Saugus High School

21900 W. Centurion Way

Simi Valley

Hillside Junior High School

2222 Fitzgerald Road

Sylmar

Sylmar High School

13050 Borden Ave.

Van Nuys

Birmingham High School

17000 Haynes St.

Church on the Way

1218 Sherman Way

Fulton Junior High School

7477 Kester Ave.

Van Nuys High School

6525 Cedros Ave.

* Salvation Army 24-Hour Hot Line

(800) 725-9005

For general earthquake relief information and for credit card donations.

* Salvation Army Shelter

Canoga Park

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. Those who cannot be seen the same day will be given appointments and asked to return within the next day or two. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. 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

(enter from Plummer Street)

Panorama City

UAW Local 645

7915 Van Nuys Blvd.

Reseda

Reseda Service Center

19255 Vanowen St.

(enter from Tampa Street)

San Fernando

First United Methodist Church

1525 Glenoaks Blvd.

Santa Clarita

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

27265 Luther Drive

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

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 to earthquake victims at the following locations. Hours of operation are 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.

UTILITIES AND OTHER SERVICES

* Department of Water and Power

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

* Southern California Edison Co.

Customers are asked to 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. People can call the following numbers for information:

(800) 483-4000 (residential customers)

(800) 483-5000 (business customers)

(800) 483-7724 (Spanish)

(800) 483-3350 (telecommuting

assistance)

FOOD

* Adventist Community Services is distributing water, food and clothing to earthquake victims today at the following sites:

* Northridge Seventh-day Adventist Church

17700 Plummer St.

Northridge

noon to 4 p.m.

* Pacoima Seventh-day Adventist Church

11350 Glenoaks Blvd.

Pacoima

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Van Nuys Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

15059 Saticoy St.

Van Nuys

2 to 4 p.m.

* Santa Clarita Seventh-day Adventist Church

24436 Valley St.

Newhall

noon to 6:30 p.m.

Donations of food, baby products, toiletries and blankets may also be dropped off at the churches during distribution hours.

Information: (818) 409-0114

* SOVA Kosher Food Pantry of Jewish Community Centers Assn. will distribute kosher food from 10:30 a.m. to noon today at the following location:

6027 1/2 Reseda Blvd.

Tarzana

(800) 385-9065

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

Offering emergency food vouchers for low-income pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and their children up to 5 years old. All local WIC clinics are open. Established clients should check in with their clinic. For information, call (818) 373-0010

* Food Stamp Application Centers

Applications for food stamps will be taken from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the following sites:(Distribution of the coupons will be delayed for at least 72 hours while information is verified.)

14550 Lanark St., Panorama City

349-B Ave. K-6, Lancaster

12847 Arroyo St., Sylmar

27233 Camp Plenty Road, Canyon Country

9035 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park

COUNSELING

Among the groups providing counseling or referrals to counseling for earthquake victims:

* L.A. County Department of Mental Health

(800) 854-7771 has been set up as a toll-free information and referral hot line for people who have been emotionally affected by the earthquake. In addition, county centers are 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.

* Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Offering a free support group at 6 p.m. Mondays.

1509 Wilson Terrace

Glendale

(818) 409-8008

* North Valley Family Counseling Center

Offering free counseling in English and Spanish.

670 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Suite D

San Fernando

(818) 365-8588

* San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic

Offering free drop-in counseling in English and Spanish for children, families and adults. A free brochure called “Dealing With Children’s Reactions to Disasters” is also available by calling the clinic at (818) 993-9311.

9650 Zelzah Ave.

Northridge

Call (818) 830-0200 for counseling schedules.

* New Directions for Youth

Offering free counseling and support groups.

7400 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 203

Van Nuys

(818) 375-1000

* Friends of the Family

Offering free or low-cost support groups and counseling for children and adults:

14522 Kittridge St.

Van Nuys

(818) 988-4430

* Valley Women’s Center

Offering free evaluation and support group for women seeking earthquake-related counseling. Individual therapy also available based on ability to pay.

5530 Corbin Ave., Suites 325 and 328

Tarzana

(818) 757-2188

* San Fernando Valley chapter of the California Assn. of Marriage and Family Therapists

Offering crisis phone counseling and referrals for earthquake victims.

(818) 789-3257, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

* Burbank Church of Religious Science

Offering a free support group for earthquake victims from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at 260 N. Pass Ave., Burbank.

(818) 848-4158

* Encino Community Church

Offering a free earthquake counseling seminar from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

5955 Lindley Ave.

Tarzana

(818) 345-8085

* Temple Judea Community Outreach

Offering walk-in counseling from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and support groups for free or with a small donation.

5429 Lindley Ave.

Tarzana

(818) 780-4994

DONATIONS

* Blood Donations

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

* Red Cross

The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations only. Make checks out to “Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund” and mail donations to:

Los Angeles Chapter

American Red Cross

2700 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles 90057

* Salvation Army

Monetary donations are urgently requested to support Operation We Care. Checks payable to “Earthquake Relief” should be sent to:

The Salvation Army

900 W. 9th St.

Los Angeles 90015

For credit card donations, call (800) 725-9005.

* United Way of Greater Los Angeles

Make checks payable to “United Way Earthquake Relief Fund”

621 S. Virgil Ave.

Los Angeles 90005

(818) 445-6300

* Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles

6505 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles 90048

(800) 385-9065

* Harmony Coalition

Accepting donations of food, toiletries and money for earthquake victims. Send donations to:

9810 Owensmouth Ave., Suite 4

Chatsworth 91311

(818) 727-1648

* Dreams to Reality Foundation

Accepting monetary and food donations to help earthquake victims who have AIDS or are HIV-positive. Send donations to:

3900 W. Alameda Ave., Suite 1700

Burbank 91505

(818) 972-1745

* Seventh-day Adventist Church donated goods hot line: (800) 253-3000

* 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

SCHOOLS

* Los Angeles Unified School District

Counselors will be available to speak with parents and/or students on the following hot lines:

San Fernando Valley area: (818) 997-2640, (818) 997-2398 or (818) 997-2545

Central/South Central L. A. area: (213) 754-2856 or (213) 753-4551

South and Harbor area: (310) 832-7545

West: (310) 444-9913

East: (213) 625-6190

Middle school and senior high school students: (213) 742-7551 or (213) 625-6335

Homework Hotline, broadcast Monday through Thursday on KLCS-TV (Channel 58), will have mental health professionals available for call-in questions from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Call (800) LA-STUDY.

* Burbank Adult School

(818) 558-4611

The start of the spring semester has been delayed until Monday.

* Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese

Parents should call the school site for information. If there is no answer, call (213) 251-3300.

* Mary Immaculate School in Pacoima: Classes are scheduled to resume Monday at St. Ferdinand School, 1012 Coronel St., San Fernando.

* Nativity School in Los Angeles: Classes are scheduled to resume Monday at St. John the Evangelist School, 6130 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

* Cal State Northridge

(818) 885-1200

(818) 885-4900 TDD

(818) 885-4700 faculty hot line

(818) 885-2082 staff hot line

(800) 200-4340 for telephone registration

The start of the spring semester has been delayed until Feb. 14. Telephone registration resumed Thursday. Students who missed an earlier appointment or who need to add or drop classes can call the toll-free number above between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. beginning Monday through Feb. 12.

* Santa Monica College

(310) 450-5150 for recorded information

The start of the spring semester has been delayed until Feb. 22.

* University of Judaism

(310) 476-9777

Daytime academic classes have resumed. Classes in the Department of Continuing Education will resume Feb. 27.

(818) 885-5476

COURTS

* San Fernando Court, 900 3rd St.

Superior Court: The courthouse is closed. All criminal matters have been transferred to the Van Nuys Courthouse, 6230 Sylmar Ave. Information: (818) 365-5813

Municipal Court: All Municipal Court felony and misdemeanor custody cases have been transferred to the Van Nuys Courthouse, 14400 Erwin St. Mall. Other Municipal Court matters will be heard at the 919 1st St. courthouse in San Fernando. Information: (818) 374-2628

* Van Nuys Superior Court, 6230 Sylmar Ave.

The parking structure at 6170 Sylmar Ave. is closed. Matters scheduled from Jan. 18 through 27 will be handled on a court-by-court basis. Jurors should bring their juror identification and park at 14401 Friar St. or 14530 Gilmore St.

* Calabasas Municipal Court: Court reopened Thursday. All cases previously set will remain on the calendar in Calabasas on their original day and time. Night court will resume Monday. Information: (818) 222-1800

* Newhall Municipal Court: Open for misdemeanor and felony criminal matters only. Traffic citation holders will automatically be given 30-day extensions.

*

Compiled by Times researchers David E. Brady and Stephanie Stassel.

TimesLink Help

TimesLink provides helpful earthquake-related information 24 hours a day. From the 213, 310, 714, 818 or 909 area codes, dial 808-8463, then press the * (asterisk) key and a four-digit category code. TimesLink is a free service of The Times.

For current freeway closures and alternate routes, press *8210.

For phone numbers of earthquake-assistance organizations, press *8230.

For a list of school closures, press *8240.

For earthquake safety tips, press *8250.