CTA members whose dwellings have been declared unsafe for occupation following a disaster like the fires in Southern California can apply for assistance from the CTA Disaster Assistance Relief Fund.
The fund provides disaster victims with a quick infusion of money to pay for basic necessities while they wait for reimbursement from their insurance companies or state programs.
The fund, which is supported entirely by member contributions, fulfills a legacy of teachers helping teachers. Thanks to the time-honored practice of collegial goodwill, members can turn to their professional organization for assistance with dignity in their time of need.
As of this year, the cash grant has been raised to $1,000 and the maximum interest-free loan amount has been raised to $2,000.
Californians have had their share of natural disasters over the years. Following the Coalinga earthquake of 1983, CTA established the assistance fund with an initial grant. Since then, the program has been self-supporting.
To assist with the management of applications and payments, and to make sure all contributions are tax-deductible, CTA arranged for its longtime associate, the FACT Foundation, to oversee the program.
The disaster assistance program was well-established when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit in 1989 and again when the devastating Northridge earthquake struck in 1994. Additional assistance was provided to members when disastrous fires hit Oakland, Santa Barbara and Malibu, and when floods took their toll in 1995, 1997 and 2002.
To date, more than $500,000 has been provided to eligible CTA members.
To make sure there would always be adequate funds to handle major emergencies, the guidelines originally limited assistance to members suffering losses in places declared natural disaster areas by state or federal agencies.
In 2002, the CTA Board of Directors changed the eligibility requirement to include a member whose dwelling was declared unsafe for occupation by a city, county or state official following a disaster of smaller proportions within the state. This includes a major fire or flood in the home.
The original program offered a $500 cash grant and/or an individual interest-free loan of up to $1,000.
In response to changing times, the CTA Board has approved an increase in the level of assistance. As of this year, the cash grant is $1,000 and the maximum interest-free loan amount is $2,000.
Every year CTA conducts fund drives throughout the state to raise money for the disaster relief fund. Members can use CTA¹s authorized payroll deduction plan to make a contribution. The entire donation is tax-deductible. Information is available at the CTA website in the Membership section.
Any active CTA member, Student CTA member or CTA-Retired member in good standing may apply for assistance by contacting the nearest CTA Regional Resource Center.
If you can't reach the resource center, call the CTA Regional Office in your area.
For the Region 3 CTA office, which covers Ventura and Los Angeles as well as Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, the number is (562) 942-7979.
For the Region 4 CTA office, which includes San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego as well as Orange, Inyo and Imperial counties, the number is (909) 372-2500.
Emergency assistance numbers
(800) 537-8491 : In response to the Southern California wildfires, First Financial Credit Union is offering CTA members unsecured emergency loans of up to $2,500 at 9 percent APR (8.5 percent in some areas), payable over 36 months and with no payment for 90 days. Loans are available to credit union members who have sustained personal property losses or need expense money for temporary housing as a result of a natural disaster (membership applications can be processed quickly). For existing loans, FFCU allows up to two deferments on any consumer loan except for real estate loans.
(800) 800-9410 : California Casualty Home and Auto Insurance is available to assist members 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with home or auto insurance claims.
