Where to Get Help : A Guide to Coping with the Quake

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 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 quake. Several languages are spoken on both lines. Applicants also may apply at any FEMA center.

* Permit Assistance Center

(818) 705-7920, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

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 about 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

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

Unincorporated areas in western Los Angeles County: (818) 880-4150

Unincorporated areas in the Santa Clarita Valley: (805) 253-7211 or (818) 984-0610

* 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 located at Glendale Galleria’s JC Penney Court. Hours: 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

(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

(213) 847-8811

For information about earthquake debris pickup and structure demolition.

* City of Los Angeles Household Hazardous Waste Hot Line

(800) 98-TOXIC

* 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. 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

Individuals whose work was interrupted by the earthquake can apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance. For eligibility 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 Valley and Santa Clarita Valley residents

(805) 523-7957, for Simi Valley 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

(818) 363-5334, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays 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

(818) 752-3320 voice or TDD

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

For deaf and hearing-impaired people needing an interpreter or other assistance.

DISASTER AID CENTERS

Those who have suffered losses may obtain local, state and federal assistance by visiting the FEMA 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. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 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

* Red Cross Emergency Shelters

Populations at shelters are decreasing. The Red Cross 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 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 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

* 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. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 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 Street)

San Fernando

First United Methodist Church

1525 Glenoaks Blvd.

Santa Clarita

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

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.

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

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

* GTE

For information, call:

(800) 483-4000 (residential customers)

(800) 483-5000 (business customers)

(800) 483-7724 (Spanish)

(800) 483-3350 (telecommuting assistance)

FOOD

* Lutheran Social Services will distribute food, water, clothing and blankets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys

(818) 785-2114

* Adventist Community Services will distribute water, food and clothing today.

* San Fernando Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

14646 Chatsworth St., Mission Hills

Hours: 3 to 7 p.m.

* Northridge Seventh-day Adventist Church

17700 Plummer St., Northridge

Hours: noon to 4 p.m.

* Pacoima Seventh-day Adventist Church

11350 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Van Nuys Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church

15059 Saticoy St., Van Nuys

Hours: 2 to 4 p.m.

* Santa Clarita Seventh-day Adventist Church

24436 Valley St., Newhall

Hours: noon to 6:30 p.m.

* 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.Information: (818) 373-0010.

* Food Stamp Application Centers

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

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

COUNSELING

Among the groups providing counseling or referrals to counseling 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 24-hour help line for earthquake victims. Other services include referrals and counseling sessions.

* Family Service Agency of Burbank

Offering free counseling in English and Spanish.

2013 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank

(818) 845-7671

* Burbank Church of Religious Science

Offering a free support group for earthquake victims from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays.

260 N. Pass Ave., Burbank

(818) 848-4158

DONATIONS

* Red Cross

Make checks payable to “Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund”

American Red Cross, Los Angeles Chapter

2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90057

* Salvation Army

Make checks payable to “Earthquake Relief”

The Salvation Army

900 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015

(800) 725-9005, for credit card donations

* 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

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

SCHOOLS

* 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 spring semester will begin Feb. 14. Telephone registration resumed Feb. 3. 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. today through Saturday.

* Los Angeles Unified School District

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

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

Central/South Central L. A.: (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

* Burbank Adult School

(818) 558-4611

The spring semester will begin today.

* Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese

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

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