New construction in Altadena, April 10, 2026 (Photo – W.K.)
FEMA has released $6.6 million in previously approved funding for a Disaster Case Management Program serving survivors of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, following weeks of pressure from California lawmakers.
By News Desk
The funding, released September 30, represents the second and third installments of FEMA’s original award. A fourth installment of approximately $3.3 million remains pending.
The program helps survivors navigate temporary housing, FEMA assistance and Small Business Administration loans, insurance claims, and long-term rebuilding plans. Without the funding, it would have expired a year early on September 30, leaving thousands of Californians without case managers and more than 100 case managers without jobs.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger welcomed FEMA’s announcement, saying the funding would allow thousands of Eaton Fire survivors to continue receiving personalized recovery support.
“Having someone help them work through housing, insurance, rebuilding, and other recovery challenges can make a meaningful difference,” Barger said. She thanked the Trump administration and FEMA for recognizing that survivors’ needs continue and said she hoped the funding would become available locally as soon as possible.
Last week, California announced an amended agreement with case management providers allowing the program to continue through October 31. Additional federal funding is still needed to reimburse providers and complete the program’s approved 24-month term.
Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Brad Sherman, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Sen. Alex Padilla repeatedly urged FEMA to release the funding. The lawmakers sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton on September 10, followed by a second letter on September 24 after the agency failed to respond and denied California’s request for supplemental funding. They also contacted FEMA officials by phone.
The funding crisis became public on September 3, when officials announced that the program could terminate on September 30—more than a year ahead of schedule—because of insufficient FEMA funding.
“I’m relieved FEMA finally released this funding at the eleventh hour,” Chu said. “This is a real win for the thousands of wildfire survivors in Southern California who depend on these case managers to navigate the red tape standing between them and rebuilding.”
Chu said the release was “exactly what my fellow California colleagues and I have been demanding for weeks,” but added that another installment of approximately $3.3 million remains outstanding. She also said FEMA has not acted on California’s appeal for additional funding to sustain the program.
Sherman said FEMA should approve enough funding to keep the program open at least through May 2027.
“Losing one’s home in a horrendous fire is extremely difficult for families,” Sherman said. “Working through the morass of governmental and insurance issues without a caseworker would be horrendous for many families.”
Schiff said families affected by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires deserve the resources needed to rebuild and recover.
Padilla called the release one step in the recovery process and said he would continue pushing for federal resources for California.
The lawmakers said the release does not resolve the broader federal funding shortfall facing communities affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. California has also requested long-term federal disaster recovery funding for homes, schools, small businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Chu said that funding remains outstanding and called on Trump to fulfill California’s disaster funding request without conditions so affected families can rebuild and return home.
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