Waivers and Flexibilities to Support Californians Impacted by Southern California Fires
In response to the Southern California wildfires and Governor Gavin Newsom's proclaimed State of Emergency and executive orders issued in early January, steps have been taken to support Californians as recovery continues across the region. These efforts span the department's many public health programs. Some of the key waivers and flexibilities provided by CDPH are summarized below:
Fee Waivers for Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates
The department is waiving all fees for the replacement of certificates of birth, death, marriage and dissolution of marriage records for any individual or family who loses these items as a result of the fires.
Processing requests to replace documents can take as little as two to three days, with expanded on-site services at Disaster Recovery Centers and Local Assistance Centers across Southern California. These documents can be critical during recovery and rebuilding, and efforts are being made to ensure that all individuals who need replacements are able to receive them quickly and at no cost.
Supporting Expanded Capacity at Health Care Facilities
CDPH oversees hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other care access points across the state to ensure patients have access to safe and reliable care.
Blanket approval has been issued for healthcare facilities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to quickly add bed capacity and services to their licenses. This approval also allows facilities to set up additional beds in areas not traditionally used for patient rooms.
These measures enable more rapid and expanded coverage, increasing the ability to serve residents and patients impacted by the fires.
Guidance is being provided through All Facilities Letters for these locations on how to submit additional waiver requests. These waivers are designed to support all facilities experiencing fire and windstorm related surges in capacity, as well as those dealing with staffing shortages due to impacted personnel.
Additional information about waivers provided to individual facilities can be found at CalHealthFind.
More Information for People Impacted by Fires
Visit ca.gov/lafires for additional information if you have been affected by the wildfires.