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Southern California Wildfire

Relief Information

Loan Assistance Regarding Southern California Wildfires

As we continue to monitor the impact that the Southern California wildfires have on our members, team members, and communities, we want you to know that we remain committed to your safety and providing you with financial assistance during these tough times.

Important Message from Our President Regarding Recent Wildfires

In light of the recent wildfires impacting our Southern California communities, our President and CEO, Darren Williams, has shared an important message addressing the situation and the support we are committed to providing.


Emergency Loans

Wescom is offering emergency loans to assist members and non-members who have had direct financial impact as a result of the recent wildfires in Southern California.1

  • Personal loan up to $5,000
  • No payment and no interest due for the first 90 days2
  • After the first 90 days, the loan will have a fixed interest rate of 5.90% APR3 for the remainder of the loan term

Visit emergencyloan.wescom.org, call 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266), or stop by any Wescom branch to discuss loan options.

Loan Deferment

Wescom offers payment deferral options for members who have had direct financial impact as a result of the wildfires.

  • Includes consumer loans and credit cards
  • Up to three months of payment deferment2
  • Member’s share and loan accounts must be in good standing to qualify

Call 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266), or stop by any Wescom branch to discuss loan options.

Quick Assist Loan

To help cover unexpected expenses, members can apply for a Quick Assist Loan at any time during the year – whereas an emergency loan is only offered to those who have been impacted by natural disasters.

  • Borrow up to $800 per loan1
  • No lengthy application process
  • Flexible repayment terms of up to six (6) months4
  • No interest charges (0% APR) with a one-time application fee
  • Loan payments will be reported to credit bureaus

A Wescom Quick Assist Loan is available to members ages 18 and up who are enrolled in direct deposit with Wescom.5

Call 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266), or visit any one of our branches to apply today.

Giving Campaign

Thank you to our members and community members at-large who have donated more than $164,000 to support those impacted by the Southern California wildfires. The Credit Union matched total donations up to $50,000 — making total donations more than $214,000.

The funds raised will directly support the American Red Cross and Direct Relief.6 Additionally, the Wescom Foundation provided a $5,000 grant to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Learn more about the Wescom Foundation.

Protect Yourself from Scams

In times of crisis or hardship, many people feel a strong urge to help others by donating to charitable causes or individual GoFundMe accounts. Unfortunately, this generosity can sometimes be exploited by scammers who take advantage of our willingness to give. Donation scams have become increasingly sophisticated, making it essential for potential donors to stay vigilant. Here are some tips to help you identify and avoid donation scams.

  • Look for red flags- such as a sense of urgency to donate, unexpected emails, texts, or calls from charities you’ve never heard of, lack of information about the organization, and misspelling or broken links on websites.
  • Verify before donating- take the time to research the organization or any GoFundMe account that states they are a victim of the fires. Do not contribute to an individual fundraising account unless you personally know the account holder. Websites like Charity Navigator and Guidestar can help you confirm a charity’s legitimacy and provide information on its financial health and accountability. You can also check if the charity is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, which means donations may be tax-deductible.
  • Trust your instincts- if something feels off, it most likely is. It’s perfectly acceptable to take a step back and think about your decision. Legitimate charities will appreciate that you want to do your due diligence.
  • Report scams- if you encounter a donation scam, consider reporting it to the appropriate authorities. In the U.S., scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state’s attorney general.

When you make a donation through the Wescom Foundation, you can rest assured your contribution is legitimate and will support those in need. Join us by donating now through January 21, 2025. Wescom members can donate via Online Banking or the Wescom Mobile Banking App and community members at-large can donate by visiting wescom.org/donations.6

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the special disaster relief rules for retirement plans and IRAs in SECURE 2.0?

Expanded Distribution and Tax Relief: Individuals affected by disasters can now access expanded distribution options and favorable tax treatment for up to $22,000 from eligible retirement plans like 401(k), 403(b), and IRAs. This includes special rules for rolling over and repaying these distributions.
Relief for Homebuyers: If you took money from your IRA as a first-time homebuyer or made a hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) or 403(b) plan for purchasing or building a home in a disaster area but couldn’t complete the purchase due to the disaster, you can now repay that money back into your account.
Plan Loan Relief: There’s an increased borrowing limit for qualified individuals from their retirement account (excluding IRAs), and employers can offer an extra year for these individuals to repay their plan loans.


This FAQ is intended to provide general information and shouldn't be considered legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and your individual financial situation.

    1 Loans are subject to approval. Membership eligibility required.

    2 No payments for up to 90 days is available for qualified borrowers. Finance charges begin to accrue immediately. Deferring your first payment may result in higher total finance changes on this loan. Terms and conditions apply.

    APR (Annual Percentage Rate).

    3 At an APR of 5.90% your monthly payment on a 60-month term would be $19.29 per $1,000.00 borrowed.

    4 At an APR of 0.00% your monthly payment on a six-month term would be $16.67 per $100 borrowed.

    5 Member must have had a $400 minimum ACH direct deposit each month for the past three (3) calendar months. Transfers done via ATM, teller, Person to Person payments are not considered a direct deposit. Terms and conditions apply. The member cannot be in their New Member Period, have a negative share of any amount, have any delinquent loans, and cannot have more than three (3) Quick Assist Loans in a six-month rolling period.

    6 Nonprofits are not endorsed by Wescom. Wescom partners with Benevity to facilitate donations. You are donating to a donor advised fund at American Online Giving Foundation (AOGF) with a recommendation that they make a corresponding grant to Wescom Foundation. You agree to let AOGF take exclusive legal control of your donation. Donations are non-refundable. By making a donation, you acknowledge that your name, address, and donation amount will be shared with AOGF, in accordance with and subject to Benevity’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. For Wescom’s Privacy Policy, visit wescom.org.

    For donations made from January 8, 2025 through January 21, 2025, Wescom will match up to a total of $50,000 in donations for this promotion. Total contribution up to $50,000 plus member contributed funds. Equal Donations will be given to each of these non-profit organizations: American Red Cross and Direct Relief.

    Insured by NCUA.