LA County Launches $3,000 Grants for Fire, Oil Spill Impact
Los Angeles County is offering grants up to $3,000 to small businesses impacted by the Lineage Fire and East Los Angeles Oil Spill.
Los Angeles County has launched a grant program for small businesses hurt by two recent environmental disasters. The Small Business Recovery Grants offer up to $3,000 to eligible firms affected by the June 17, 2026, Lineage Fire or the May 22, 2026, East Los Angeles Oil Spill near E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and N. Eastern Avenue.
Applications opened on September 17, 2026, and will close on October 1, 2026. The program is administered by the County's Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
Program Rationale and Official Statements
County officials stated the grants are a direct response to the financial burden placed on local businesses. "Small businesses should not be left to absorb the financial damage caused by an emergency they did not create," said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. She directed First District funds to establish the program, aiming to help businesses weather disruptions and keep people employed.
Kelly LoBianco, Director of DEO, emphasized the lingering effects of neighborhood emergencies. "Small businesses can lose customers, revenue, and days or weeks of operations that are difficult to make up," LoBianco said. The grants are designed to provide direct assistance to help these businesses continue serving the East Los Angeles community.
Eligibility and Application Details
To qualify, a business must be located within a County-designated geographic impact area for either disaster. The business must have been operating at that location for at least 30 days before the applicable incident. It must also have 100 or fewer employees and annual gross receipts of $6 million or less.
Applicants must demonstrate or attest to a qualifying business disruption or economic impact linked to the fire or oil spill. Required documentation must be provided to verify eligibility. Businesses outside the designated impact areas are not eligible.
Interested business owners should first review the impact-area maps available online. Applications are submitted through the County's grant administrator, AidKit, via the DEO website.
Grant Structure and Selection Process
The grant amounts vary by business type, with a maximum of $3,000. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds available funding, a prioritization process and a weighted lottery will determine awardees. Applicants not initially selected may be placed on a waitlist for potential future funding.
| Business Requirement | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Location | Within designated impact area for Lineage Fire or East LA Oil Spill |
| Operation Date | Operating at location 30+ days before the incident |
| Employee Count | 100 or fewer employees |
| Annual Revenue | $6 million or less in gross receipts |
| Proof Required | Must demonstrate disruption/impact from the incident |
Support and Program Partners
DEO’s Office of Small Business will conduct outreach and offer support with the application process. Southern California Grantmakers will act as the program's fiscal sponsor. AidKit is handling grant administration and payment processing.
All program information, including eligibility details, impact maps, and the application portal, can be found at the DEO's dedicated website. The department encourages businesses to apply promptly before the October 1 deadline.
