Carol and Kathy DeCastro showed up bright and early at Pasadena City College hoping to get some assistance and relief after evacuating from their Altadena home — with a couple of belongings and the clothes on their back after the wildfires.
The elderly Filipina American sisters were turned away after learning identity thieves stole their information. Someone else used Carol DeCastro’s name for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance, thereby disqualifying the DeCastros from receiving aid.
Kathy DeCastro told AsAmNews that her sister Carol is disabled, and they live on a fixed income. Kathy DeCastro, who is also her sister’s caretaker, expected to help Carol get benefits, as FEMA typically allows one head of household — which would be Carol — to apply for the entire household’s assistance package, with few exceptions.
“They asked for her information — the name, the address, the birthday, the social, all that stuff,” Kathy DeCastro explained. “And then, the lady goes, ‘Oh, she cannot go through because there’s already a duplicate application, which I think they applied for last Sunday,’ and I go, ‘We didn’t apply last Sunday.’”
The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center was set up so that wildfire survivors could get help applying for federal assistance, speak to representatives from state and federal agencies, and receive updates on their FEMA application for assistance.
Financial assistance can constitute “money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral, or dental expenses,” according to FEMA.
It is unclear how the perpetrators applied for the benefits or how they accessed Carol DeCastro’s personal information. Applicants have the option to apply for aid in person, online, over the phone, or via the FEMA app.
FEMA reportedly advised the sisters to check back with the agency in a couple of days.
Desperate, Kathy DeCastro said she needs help now. The family dog is at the Humane Society, and they can only stay with a friend until Friday. Their Altadena home is uninhabitable and blocked off by the National Guard.
“There is no power, there’s no water, there’s no gas, so there is nothing. We can’t really go back. It’s frustrating. Things happen,” she said. “But you have to rise above the situation. I mean, you can’t do anything about it.”
AsAmNews contacted FEMA and the Los Angeles County District Attorney about the situation and are still waiting on a response.
Faced with uncertainty, Kathy DeCastro said she is still able to look on the brighter side — she still has her sister, and they are both going to be okay. Somehow, they will get through yet another hurdle.
“You cannot be mad. I mean, you have to rise above the situation and be positive about it,” she said.
To report identity theft or fraud, survivors can refer to the resources and contacts outlined in this guide by FEMA.
From January 15, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will be available to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Westside Location
UCLA Research Park West
10850 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Eastside Location
Pasadena City College Community Education Center
3035 E. Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
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