Relief Fund for Workers Impacted by Wildfires in LA

Wildfires-Impacted Workers Fund
Eligibility Criteria

Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis, and they are reviewed for eligibility to decide whether or not to recommend for funding. The Fund will consider the application submission, as well as any information about the applicant publicly available or previously known to members of the Fund. Unfortunately, not all applications that meet the criteria will be approved.

The Starbucks Worker Committee in collaboration with the Fund’s board and staff developed the acceptance criteria for the current round of stipends.

Wildfires-Impacted Workers Fund Eligibility:

This criteria applies only to the current round of stipends, and it will be updated for upcoming rounds.

• You are a barista or shift supervisor who was employed at Starbucks within the 2 weeks prior to the January 7, 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles.
• You can show proof that you live or work in an area that was placed under an evacuation order or warning due to the January 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles region. This map will be used to identify the areas impacted.
• You are 18 years or older;
• You have a social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN); and
• You have a US bank account;

How to Apply

1. Application Review

In addition to the eligibility criteria above, the following considerations also help determine whether applications are approved or denied:

1. The extent to which an applicant’s actions further the Fund mission of fighting for safer and more equitable workplaces and industries.
2. The extent to which an applicant’s actions are aligned with the Fund’s values, including collective liberation from white supremacy, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression.
3. The availability of funds;
4. Anything else the Worker Committee deems relevant.
5. Unfortunately, not all applications that meet the criteria will be approved.

The Fund will consider the application submission, as well as any information about the applicant publicly available or previously known to members of the Fund.

2. Process Update

Within 2 weeks of submitting your application, you will receive notice to inform you of next steps.

3. Interview

Because this is a disaster relief Fund, the interview portion of the process will not be required.

4. Accept Payment Offer

If approved, payment will be offered to you and information will be requested for issuing your payment. Applicants have 2 weeks to accept the terms and provide payment information.

5. Receive Payment

Your stipend will be processed within 2 weeks of receiving the completed payment form. After the stipend payment has been sent, the funds will arrive within 5 business days for ACH payments, and up to 15 business days for check payments. On average, recipients receive funding within 4-6 weeks of submitting their applications.

6. Use the Funds

The money will be in your possession to offer relief for the impacts of the wildfires, and it will hopefully unleash your actions and address your needs. We trust that you will choose how to best use your award. Examples include, but are NOT limited to:

1. Addressing basic needs for you and your loved ones, like groceries, rent, healthcare, etc.
2. Removing barriers to participating in power-building activities with your coworkers.
3. Buying non-company tech (phone, laptop, software, etc.) to communicate safely
4. Travel expenses for workers to attend mutual-aid actions, training, meetings, etc.
5. Funding for coming together with your coworkers to support each other.

7. 1099

Payments from the Fund may be considered taxable income, and they may be reported to the IRS. As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit an IRS form W-9. If the payments you receive from us meet the IRS threshold to be taxable, the following year we will issue and give you a 1099 for tax filing purposes.