After preparing to shutter because of lack of federal funding, California’s disaster case management program is getting new life.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency had approved $13.2 million for the program to support fire victims from the Palisades and Eaton fires in 2025 that was to be released in four equal installments. But state officials say only $3.3 million had been received this week, and would need to end the program without federal support.
The state had been funding the program using $9.9 million in state funds, with Catholic Charities of California to administer the funding until the money ran out. The state estimated that could happen on or before October 31.
On Wednesday, FEMA says it will release $11 million to the state — $6.6 million for wildfire victims and $4.5 million for victims of California’s 2023 winter storms.
“[I’m] pleased to see that FEMA is paying California the money it owes to the state for providing caseworkers for fire victims through September 30. It is now time for FEMA to approve and fund keeping this program open at least through May of next year,” said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., who represents the Pacific Palisades. “Losing one’s home in a horrendous fire is extremely difficult on families. Working through the morass of governmental and insurance issues without a caseworker would be horrendous for many families.”
Sherman, Rep. Judy Chu, and Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla have been pushing FEMA to release the funds for weeks to keep the program going. While Wednesday’s $6.6 million will help fill the gap, Chu said that another $3.3 million from FEMA is outstanding.
“I’m relieved FEMA finally released this funding at the eleventh hour. 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, and it is exactly what my fellow California colleagues and I have been demanding for weeks,” said Chu in a statement..
FEMA, which had not responded to Spectrum News’ inquiries about the delay in federal funds over the last several days, told Spectrum News that the agency has provided more than $180 million in Individual Assistance to over 35,000 eligible individuals and households under the major disaster declaration declared by President Joe Biden in January 2025.
The agency did not clarify why the disbursement supporting the disaster case management program was so delayed.
Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
