San Gabriel Mountains as seen from Altadena (Photo – W.K.)
Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Brad Sherman, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Sen. Alex Padilla are demanding that FEMA immediately release outstanding funding for California’s Disaster Case Management Program, which is scheduled to end Sept. 30, 2026.
By News Desk
The program helps survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires navigate FEMA and Small Business Administration aid, insurance claims, temporary housing, and long-term rebuilding. Nearly 20 months after the fires, providers report 1,397 open cases and about 700 survivors on a waitlist. More than 1,000 active cases involve Eaton Fire survivors.
Since January 2025, the program has helped survivors access more than $100 million in direct assistance. Its closure could eliminate 109 case-management positions.
California requested about $26 million to operate the program, and FEMA approved roughly $13 million. However, FEMA has released only about $3 million, leaving nearly $10 million outstanding. A separate $6 million supplemental funding request from the California Department of Social Services also remains pending.
“FEMA is withholding millions in approved recovery funding, forcing the Disaster Case Management Program to shut down while survivors are still waiting for the help they need,” Chu said.
The lawmakers are urging FEMA to release the remaining funds under the existing award and expedite its review of the supplemental request.
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