LA Fire Survivors May Lose Case Managers Amid Funding Dispute
A funding dispute between California and FEMA could lead to approximately 1,400 households affected by the 2025 Los Angeles fires losing their disaster case managers by the end of October.
Photo: Vadim Braydov / PexelsApproximately 1,400 households in Los Angeles County, impacted by the 2025 fires, are at risk of losing their disaster case managers by the end of October. This situation stems from an ongoing funding disagreement between the state of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the disaster case management program.
Mary Landau, a 78-year-old retired teacher from Altadena whose home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, is among those who rely on a case manager. Her manager, Veda Ashby Romero, assists her with insurance claims, online forms, and securing financial aid. Landau stated that this support has provided her with hope and strength during the rebuilding process.
Disaster case managers are trained experts who help survivors navigate complex recovery processes. They assist with finding rental assistance, new employment, and funds to cover the gap between insurance payouts and rebuilding costs. They also guide survivors on how to avoid scams, challenge insurance decisions, and appeal FEMA rulings.
The California Department of Social Services requested $28 million for case management after the January 2025 fires. FEMA initially awarded $13.2 million for 24 months, to be paid in four installments. By August, FEMA had made only one payment, leading California to cover the remaining costs. Additionally, FEMA did not respond to a March request for an extra $6.5 million to sustain the program for the full 24 months, despite high demand and 700 households remaining on a waitlist. California announced it could no longer cover the costs and would close the program.
While FEMA eventually reimbursed the outstanding payments, a decision on the additional funding has not been made. Representative Judy Chu, whose district includes Altadena, expressed concern that failing to fully fund the program risks abandoning survivors. Nonprofits managing these cases are now triaging and attempting to transfer clients to other organizations that can continue support through philanthropic funds, but resources are limited.
Need to know
- Affected areas: Los Angeles County, including Altadena
- Impact: Approximately 1,400 households may lose case managers
- Program status: Scheduled to end by late October due to funding dispute
- Source: laist.com
