Members 1st is here to help
This page is dedicated to providing Park Fire survivors with valuable information and links to essential resources.Matching Auto Rates
Members who lost their vehicle in the Park Fire and have their loan with Members 1st can replace their vehicle with a new vehicle at the same interest rate or current promotional rate, whichever is lower.
Promotional Auto Rate
If you lost a vehicle in the Park Fire, but did not have it financed with Members 1st, you can take advantage of a special promotional auto rate from Members 1st. Check m1cu.org/auto for our current promotional rate.
Mortgage Rate Assistance
Members 1st is offering its Rate Advantage Program to anyone whose home was destroyed from the Park Fire. Upon applying for a mortgage with Members 1st, homebuyers will receive the lowest daily mortgage rate within 180 of their mortgage application date or the date of their loan closing, whichever occurs first.
No Lender Origination Fee
Members 1st is waiving its lender origination fee on constructions loans to anyone whose home was destroyed in the Park Fire. The lot where the home is to be built must reside within Butte, Glenn, Shasta, or Tehama County.
Red Cross Donations
Members 1st will make a $25 donation to the Red Cross to support Park Fire survivors with every new checking account opened at either of its Chico branch locations at 550 Salem Street or 969 East Avenue now through October 31st. New Checking accounts must be their first checking account with Members 1st Credit Union to qualify.
24/7 Support
Call (530) 222-6060 or (800) 303-3838 to speak with a Member Service Representative.
Call UsOpen Your Members 1st CU Account
Open your Members 1st Credit Union account online now in just a few minutes or visit one of our branch locations.
Start NowFire Recovery Information
Where to Make Donations
Butte County Search and Rescue
PO Box 542, Chico, CA 95927
https://www.buttesar.org/donate
North California Chapter of the American Red Cross
PO Box 3568, Chico, CA 95927
redcross.org/local/california/gold-country
Oroville Hop Center
2620 South Fifth Avenue, Oroville, CA
Email mary@hopecenteroroville.org or call Mary at (530) 538-8398
Local Recovery Resources
Local Assistance Center
Local recovery resources
2156 Pillsbury Road, Suite 100, Chico, CA
Tzu Chi Recovery Service Center
Disaster case management, housing support, and more
https://tzuchi.us/offices/sanjose/chico
United Way of Northern California
$100 Emergency Financial Assistance Program
https://www.norcalunitedway.org/norcaldisasterfund
Butte 2-1-1 Help Central
https://www.helpcentral.org/Search.aspx
https://211norcal.org/park-fire-tehama
North Valley Catholic Social Service
Relief cash cards for evacuees
https://forms.gle/GjrhjakNYq3okAQe7
True North Housing Alliance
Transitional housing aid
https://www.truenorthbutte.org
Red Bluff Resource Center
Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Aug.15-17.
Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St.
https://www.redbluffdailynews.com/2024/08/09/
assistance-centers-opening-for-park-fire-victims/
SUN Bucks
Food replacement from wildfires
https://www.cafoodbanks.org/sun-bucks/
General Action Plan
If you’ve been impacted by a fire, follow these steps to begin your recovery process.- File Your Claim
Be sure to file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible. This will allow your insurance provider to help you set temporary lodging, a rental vehicle, advance insurance proceeds, and other possible resources. Take time to review your insurance policy and familiarize yourself with all the possible benefits afforded to you. - Reclaim Important Paperwork
Visit city and county offices to reorder important paperwork or documentation such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, or social security card. Don’t forget to update your property tax information with your local county office if your home was lost to a fire. - Utilize All Your Resources
Don’t let your pride keep you from utilizing the many resources that can be found from local non-profits such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. Many organizations are eager to help with financial aid, lodging, meals, debris removal, and more. Check with your local City Office or TV and radio stations for information about non-profits and government agencies available to help you. - Document Everything
As you begin to rebuild your future, be sure to document as much as possible. Everything from conversations with insurance agents and contractors, to receipts for meals and items will be important to record in the days ahead. Rather than trying to commit everything to memory, grab a notebook or hop on a computer to capture notes regarding important conversations and help track expenses. Starting with a good tracking system from day one will save you a lot of time, effort, and possibly money in the long run.
Helpful Articles
Construction Loans
If your insurance funds will not cover the cost to rebuild your home, Members 1st offers home construction financing to help you get back in your home.Park Fire FAQs
General Mortgage Info
My house burned down. What happens to my mortgage?
I lost my home paperwork in the fire. Can Members 1st help me obtain my deed of trust and/or appraisals?
Is Members 1st offering discounted mortgage rates or special loan programs specifically for fire victims?
Is Members 1st offering special loans for first responders (Hero loans)?
Will Members 1st "call my loan" due (i.e., require loan to be paid in full)?
What if I only have partial damage to my property but not a total loss?
Will I still have access to my available balance on my HELOC?
Can I get 100% financing (FHA program)?
Can I qualify for a new mortgage loan?
Will you honor my rate if I pay off my loan and take out a new one?
What if I want to pay off my mortgage and sell my land?
Mortgage Payments
I lost my job and cannot pay my mortgage payment – what do I do?
Should I stop making payments?
How long do I have to pay off my loan if the collateral was destroyed?
I need a payoff letter for my mortgage loan sent to my insurance company – how do I get that?
Can I use insurance funds as a down payment on a new purchase (when existing home burned down)?
Do I have to pay off my existing loan if I do not want to rebuild?
What is forbearance?
I deferred payments on my Members 1st loans; what happens next?
Does deferring mean that I am skipping payments or delaying them?
How will deferring payments affect my credit score?
Does my loan still accrue interest with the payment deferments?
Rebuilding
Should I rent and rebuild, or buy?
I got my insurance check - now what?
Can I deposit my insurance check at an ATM or with the mobile app?
If I buy a new home to live in while I rebuild, will that be considered my primary residence?
Additional resources
Consumer Loans
My vehicle was destroyed in the fire - what do I do next?
What if my insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover my auto/RV loan payoff?
Can I get a reduction on my existing Members 1st auto?
I was evacuated or my house was destroyed can I get a credit limit increase?
Is it OK if I live in a trailer (RV) while my house is being rebuilt?
I need a payoff letter for my vehicle loan sent to my insurance company – how do I get that?
Is Members 1st going to reduce the rates for fire victims and non-fire victims?
Are members going to be allowed to extend deferred payments?
What if I didn’t have GAP - will I have to pay the difference?
What is the maximum time that I do not have to make a payment?
What if the insurance company has not processed my claim yet but I need a car now?
My insurance claim was denied; I don’t have any money to put down as down payment.
Should I pay off the loan now and wait for the insurance check to repay myself?
Should I stop making payments?
How long do I have to pay off my loan if the collateral was destroyed?
Does deferring mean that I am skipping payments or delaying them?
How does deferring payments affect my credit score?
I don’t know if I have GAP insurance on my car/truck/motorcycle – can you tell me if I do?
Will I have interest on my balance for my credit card?
Eligible to all Butte, Glenn, Shasta, and Tehama County residents. Join Now