NEWS: Following Sustained Push from Sens. Schiff, Padilla, Reps. Chu, Sherman, FEMA Releases $6.6 Million for Wildfire Survivor Case Management

Lawmakers had repeatedly pressed FEMA to release already-approved funding as critical recovery program faced funding cliff Los Angeles, CA — Today, following weeks of sustained pressure from U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) and Congressmembers Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28) and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $6.6 million in previously approved funding for the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) serving survivors of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires. The funding represents the second and third installments of FEMA’s original DCMP award and comes on September 30, the same day the program had been facing a major funding cliff. A fourth installment of already approved funding remains pending. The DCMP helps survivors navigate critical recovery resources, including temporary housing, FEMA and SBA loans, insurance claims, and long-term rebuilding plans. Without this funding, the DCMP would have expired a year early today, September 30, 2026, leaving thousands of Californians without their case managers in the middle of their recovery, and over a hundred case managers without a job. Last week, the State of California also announced an amended agreement with case management providers allowing the program to extend until October 31. However, additional federal funding is still needed for reimbursement and to ensure the program’s approved 24-month time frame is completed. The lawmakers, who have led congressional efforts to secure federal disaster assistance, tax relief, and long-term recovery resources for Eaton Fire survivors, repeatedly pressed FEMA to release the outstanding DCMP funding, including through direct calls to the agency. September 3, 2026: It is announced that DCMP would be forced to terminate on September 30, 2026, over a year early, due to lack of FEMA funding. September 10, 2026: Reps. Chu, Sherman, Sens. Schiff, and Padilla sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton demanding the agency immediately release the pre-approved DCMP funding. September 24, 2026: After FEMA failed to respond to the lawmakers’ first letter and separately denied California’s request for supplemental DCMP funding, Reps. Chu, Sherman, Sens. Schiff, and Padilla sent a follow-up letter again demanding FEMA release the outstanding installments to stop the DCMP from shutting down. September 30, 2026: FEMA obligated $6.6 million in previously approved funding, representing the second and third installments of the original DCMP award. Throughout this period, the lawmakers also personally called FEMA officials to press for the release of the outstanding funding and prevent an interruption in services. “Californians are still rebuilding and recovering after the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. I’m glad FEMA has finally heeded to our calls to release urgently needed financial assistance through the Disaster Case Management Program,” said Senator Schiff. “These families, who have already lost so much in these fires, deserve to have the resources and aid they need to rebuild and recover stronger than before.” “Californians recovering from devastating wildfires and other natural disasters deserve meaningful support to rebuild their lives and communities,” said Senator Padilla . “That’s why I fought to secure this federal funding for disaster case management services across California, including communities in Los Angeles County. But this is just one step toward recovery.  The work doesn’t stop here, and I’ll keep fighting for the federal resources California needs to recover, rebuild, and prepare for the next disaster.” “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 Representative Chu. “FEMA approved this funding because survivors needed it, yet millions of dollars sat unreleased while critical services hung in the balance. We pushed FEMA again and again to act, and today, $6.6 million is finally moving to California. But our work is not finished. Another approximately $3.3 million installment remains outstanding, and FEMA has still not acted on California’s appeal for the additional funding needed to sustain this program. I will keep pressing FEMA for every dollar our survivors need, and I will keep fighting until our families can rebuild and come home.” “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 Representative Sherman. “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.” Long-Term Federal Disaster Recovery Funding Still Outstanding While today’s release of previously approved DCMP funding is an important step, it does not resolve the broader federal funding shortfall facing communities devastated by the Eaton and Palisades Fires. California has repeatedly requested long-term federal disaster recovery funding to rebuild homes, schools, small businesses, and critical infrastructure. That funding remains outstanding. “I welcome today’s release of funding for Eaton and Palisades Fire survivors, but let’s be clear: this is funding FEMA had already approved and that we have been demanding the agency release for weeks,” said Representative Chu. “And while today is progress, President Trump still has not delivered the long-term federal disaster recovery funding Los Angeles communities need to rebuild. Eaton Fire survivors have waited long enough. President Trump must fulfill California’s disaster funding request, with no strings attached, so our families can rebuild and come home.” Background: Taking office just one month before the wildfires ravaged Southern California, Senator Schiff has introduced numerous of pieces of legislation to help communities rebuild, fight for Californians’ access to affordable home insurance and protect families from the threat of future wildfires. Schiff has also consistently pushed for disaster aid for California. The first bill Schiff introduced in the Senate was a bipartisan piece of legislation promoting community resilience to natural disasters through the creation of a new federal tax credit to incentivize home hardening. Within months of taking office, he also led bipartisan legislation , which passed through the Senate Small Business Committee, requiring the Small Business Administration to report monthly on disaster funds available to the public. He has also authored legislation to stabilize prices for homeowners’ insurance and protect homeowners from the increased costs of natural disasters. To support rebuilding efforts, Schiff led legislation to assist with mortgage relief for disaster survivors across the country and help alleviate financial hardships. Schiff and U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.)‘s Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act , which would provide tax relief for victims of wildfires and other natural disasters, was recently signed into law by President Donald Trump. Schiff and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced the Reducing Red Tape for Rebuilding Act, bipartisan legislation to expand the support local governments can receive from the federal government to help with the rebuilding process following natural disasters. Schiff has also led multiple calls urging President Trump and senior congressional leadership to provide additional disaster relief funding and resources to help Los Angeles County rebuild after the devastating fires. ###