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 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, until further notice.

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 over 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

Burbank: (818) 953-9541

Glendale: (818) 548-4830

San Fernando: (818) 898-1227

Santa Clarita: (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 JCPenney 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, 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 on 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 LOGO HERE

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 residences, personal property and businesses not covered by insurance or other aid programs. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Information: (800) 525-0321, (800) 660-8005 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.

Toberman Recreation Center

1725 Toberman St.

(will open at 1 p.m. today) 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 LOGO HERE

* Red Cross Hot Line

(213) 739-4543

* Red Cross Emergency Shelters

Since shelter populations 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 & Girls Club

24909 N. Newhall Ave.

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

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 LOGO HERE

* 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. daily. 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

Various emergency services are available at the following sites. 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 LOGO HERE

* 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

A variety of free services are available to quake victims. For general information, call (800) 379-0000. For telecommuting assistance, call (800) 303-0309.

* GTE

A variety of free services are available to quake victims. For information, call:

(800) 483-4000 (residential customers)

(800) 483-5000 (business customers)

(800) 483-7724 (Spanish)

(800) 483-3350 (telecommuting assistance)

FOOD LOGO HERE

* 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.

* 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.

* Santa Clarita Seventh-day Adventist Church

24436 Valley St., Newhall

Hours: noon to 6:30 p.m.

Information: (818) 409-0114

* North Valley Jewish Community Center will distribute food from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.

16601 Rinaldi St.

Granada Hills

(800) 385-9065

* Food Stamp Application Centers

Canoga Park: 9035 Canoga Ave.

Canyon Country: 27233 Camp Plenty Road

Lancaster: 349-B Avenue, K-6

Panorama City: 14550 Lanark St.

Sylmar: 12847 Arroyo St.

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

(Distribution of the coupons will be delayed for at least 72 hours while information is verified.)

CRISIS COUNSELING LOGO

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.

* Assistance League’s Family Service Agency

Offering free counseling in English, Spanish and Armenian.

5607 Fernwood Ave.

Hollywood

(213) 469-5893

* San Fernando Valley Counseling Center

Offering free support groups for earthquake-related issues at 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 4 p.m. Thursdays.

8350 Reseda Blvd.

Northridge

(818) 341-1111

* Catholic Charities

For counseling and referrals; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.

(213) 251-3400

DONATIONS LOGO HERE

* Blood Donations

For donation sites, call the American Red Cross at (800) 974-2113.

* 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, Salvation Army

900 W. 9th St.

Los Angeles 90015

(800) 725-9005, for credit card donations

* Catholic Charities

Earthquake Disaster Fund, 1400 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015, (213) 251-3400

* San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council

Accepting donations of food and household goods, as well as offers of building repair and counseling services for earthquake victims.

Make checks payable to: SFVIC Earthquake Response Project, 10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth 91311

Information: (818) 718-6460

* El Proyecto Del Barrio Inc.

Accepting monetary donations to provide medical aid and emergency supplies for earthquake victims. Send donations to:

8902 Woodman Ave.

Arleta 91331

(818) 830-7080

SCHOOLS LOGO HERE

* 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 registration

The spring semester will begin Monday. Telephone registration resumed Thursday. Students who need to add or drop classes can call the toll-free number above between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. 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

Compiled by Times researchers David E. Brady and Stephanie Stassel.