New construction on Lake Ave. in Altadena (Photo – W.K.)
California’s Disaster Case Management Program could shut down on September 30 if the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not release additional funding, according to disaster case management providers, long-term recovery groups, and advocates for Los Angeles fire survivors.
By News Desk
FEMA approved $13 million for California’s program but has released only $3 million, leaving $10 million unpaid, according to the groups. FEMA also denied the California Department of Social Services’ request for approximately $6 million in supplemental funding to keep the program operating.
As of September 25, the office of Rep. Judy Chu said FEMA had not responded to its inquiries or provided a payment date. In a September 12 television interview, Chu said FEMA regional leadership had indicated that the agency intended to release the $10 million, but that other cases were ahead of California in the funding pipeline.
The program’s potential closure could eliminate approximately 109 staff positions and leave more than 1,500 survivors without assigned case managers. The program has 1,397 open cases, while about 700 additional survivors are on a waiting list, according to the release. Those cases would be transferred to community organizations already facing high demand.
Advocates said the disruption could affect survivors’ access to housing assistance, loans, rebuilding resources, and other recovery support. Since January 2025, disaster case management referrals have helped Los Angeles fire survivors access more than $100 million in direct assistance, according to the release.
“This money is approved,” said Bree Jensen, public information officer for the Eaton Fire Collaborative. “It isn’t someday money or queue money.”
Chu has again called on FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton to release the remaining funds and prevent the program from shutting down. The release also asks Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to reverse the denial of supplemental funding.
The funding dispute comes as FEMA faces a September 29 deadline to act on Washington state’s application for a wildfire major disaster declaration. Advocates said the situation in California could affect how communities view FEMA’s commitments to disaster recovery programs.
Two-thirds of Los Angeles fire survivors remain displaced, according to the release, including 85% of those who lost their homes entirely.
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