“FEMA has the authority to extend these deadlines in extraordinary circumstances, such as this disaster”
“We urge you to swiftly extend the application deadlines so that Southern Californians impacted by the fires can evaluate their losses with ample time and apply for relief.”
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), along with Representatives Ken Calvert (CA-41), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Brad Sherman (CA-32), led all Members of the California delegation in a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Director Cameron Hamilton to extend the application deadline for federal disaster assistance for victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires to May 9, 2025. Currently, the application deadline for most federal disaster assistance programs is March 10, 2025.
“Due to the massive scale of destruction caused by the January wildfires, many victims will not know the total sum of their losses or whether these losses exceed their insurance coverage before the end of the 60-day application period. The widespread damage to infrastructure has made access to many homes in the affected areas difficult or impossible. Additionally, many fire victims have lost computers, cell phones, and other technological devices, limiting their ability to submit applications and to receive messages transmitted by FEMA and other authorities pertaining to relief,” the lawmakers said.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst fires destroyed over 11,600 homes, displaced 22,600 households, and took 29 lives. These fires devastated homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, and entire neighborhoods. Initial estimates find that the economic losses resulting from these fires could make this one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
“We urge you to swiftly extend the application deadlines so that Southern Californians impacted by the fires can evaluate their losses with ample time and apply for relief. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your commitment to delivering relief to those who lost their homes, businesses, and loved ones in this disaster,” the lawmakers concluded.
The full text of the letter is available here and below.
Dear Acting Administrator Hamilton,
As members of the California delegation, we write to express our appreciation for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) assistance and support in response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles this past January. We also write to respectfully urge FEMA to approve Cal OES’s request to extend the application deadline for Individual Assistance (IA) to May 9, 2025, for victims under the January 8, 2025, California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds Major Disaster Declaration.
As you know, FEMA has the authority to extend these deadlines in extraordinary circumstances, such as this disaster. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst fires destroyed over 11,600 homes, displaced 22,600 households, and took 29 lives. These fires devastated homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, and entire neighborhoods. Initial estimates find that the economic losses resulting from these fires could make this one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
Currently, the application deadline for Individual Assistance through FEMA is March 10, 2025, in line with the standard 60-day application period for most disaster declarations. Due to the massive scale of destruction caused by the January wildfires, many victims will not know the total sum of their losses or whether these losses exceed their insurance coverage before the end of the 60-day application period. The widespread damage to infrastructure has made access to many homes in the affected areas difficult or impossible. Additionally, many fire victims have lost computers, cell phones, and other technological devices, limiting their ability to submit applications and to receive messages transmitted by FEMA and other authorities pertaining to relief. For these reasons, it is imperative that FEMA grant California’s request to extend the IA application deadline to May 9, 2025.
We urge you to swiftly extend the application deadlines so that Southern Californians impacted by the fires can evaluate their losses with ample time and apply for relief. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your commitment to delivering relief to those who lost their homes, businesses, and loved ones in this disaster.
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