Lawmakers Ask FEMA To Avert Gap in Assistance for Los Angeles Fire Survivors

(File Photo – City of Pasadena)

Four California lawmakers are urging FEMA to keep disaster case management services available A disaster case management program serving survivors of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires could end Sept. 30 after FEMA denied California’s request for $6.57 million in additional funding. Without action, hundreds of survivors could be left without assistance as they navigate housing and other recovery challenges.

By News Desk

Reps. Judy Chu and Brad Sherman and Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, all California Democrats, sent a follow-up letter to FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton asking the agency to grant California’s appeal, release previously approved funds that remain outstanding, and prevent any interruption in services.

The letter follows a Sept. 10 request from the lawmakers that FEMA release additional funding for the program. On Sept. 11, FEMA Region 9 denied California’s request for $6.57 million to continue operating the program. The state has appealed the decision.

FEMA approved the Disaster Case Management Program to operate for 24 months, with approximately $13 million in total funding. So far, the agency has released about $3 million. Three additional installments remain under review.

Program providers say more than 3,000 wildfire survivors have received assistance. The program currently has 1,288 active cases, while 84 survivors are on an immediate waitlist. Of the active cases, 1,023 are classified as involving the highest levels of complexity.

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the timing of a potential shutdown. FEMA rental assistance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors is scheduled to expire Oct. 9. As of Sept. 17, 801 households were receiving rental assistance, including 623 renter households, while another 329 applications were pending.

In their letter, the lawmakers said ending case management services on Sept. 30 could leave survivors without help just as rental assistance is set to expire. They asked FEMA to respond by Sept. 28 with an update on the outstanding funds and the steps the agency will take to keep the program operating.