LOS ANGELES – A local nonprofit is offering zero-interest and zero-fee loans to residents, businesses and non-profits affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) announced its initiative is available to people of all faiths and backgrounds who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires.
“We understand the immense challenges faced by those affected by the wildfires,” said Rachel Grose, Executive Director of JFLA. “Our goal is to provide immediate financial relief to help individuals, families, and businesses get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
JFLA recognized the urgent need for financial assistance in the wake of the wildfires and is committed to helping the community recover and rebuild. The organization is offering loans of up to $15,000 for eligible applicants to assist with temporary housing, transportation, food, medicine, and other essential needs. Additionally, JFLA has a limited number of loans up to $2,000 available for individuals without a guarantor, which will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Many are facing immediate and overwhelming expenses, such as securing housing—whether through finding new homes or temporary hotel stays—paying for childcare, keeping food on the table, and covering additional costs for loved ones they are sheltering. These challenges extend to rebuilding from nothing, including purchasing clothing, toiletries, kitchenware, furniture, electronics and other basic necessities,” said Grose.
“For those who have lost their homes, jobs, or businesses, these financial burdens can feel insurmountable. To provide meaningful support, JFLA is offering a limited number of zero-interest, zero-fee loans to help cover these critical needs. In addition to the best personal loans, we are pleased to announce the availability of student loans to ensure continued education opportunities and small business loans to assist entrepreneurs in rebuilding their livelihoods.
This initiative delivers immediate relief while ensuring borrowers only repay what they borrow, making it as accessible and stress-free as possible during this challenging time.”
The funding is restricted to those either living and or operating a business in Los Angeles, Ventura, or Santa Barabara counties and must be affected by the fires.
“Applicants will need to provide proof of income and demonstrate their need. However, we recognize that some documentation may have been lost in the wildfires, so we are working on flexible ways to verify eligibility. Please note that we will need to run a hard credit check to process your application.”
The County of Los Angeles is offering replacement of vital documents at no-cost with proof of identity and residence.
JFLA is also providing other workarounds to determine eligibility of the zero-interest loans. “Our clients’ situations are diverse and at times complex. We are working on an individual, case-by-case basis with the information we receive to understand the client’s need and how we can best offer assistance. Our current wildfire relief loan program with funds up to $25,000 is in place for clients who can provide one qualified guarantor. We understand that some may not be able to find a guarantor, so we are offering up to $10,000 without a guarantor to help immediately. We will be working with clients to understand what documents they are able to produce and how we can assist them with uncovering additional information. For example, a social security card might have been lost, but a client can get access to a recently filed tax return with that same information.”
The application process for JFLA’s wildfire relief loans is designed to be simple and efficient, with a dedicated team ready to assist applicants throughout the process. Those in need of financial assistance are encouraged to apply for a loan by visiting the JFLA website at www.jfla.org.
