Sunday, July 5, 2026

Eaton Fire Survivors Who Maxed Out FEMA Aid May Qualify for a State Grant of Up to $10,000

Altadena residents who exhausted their federal disaster aid after the Eaton Fire may be eligible for an additional state grant of up to $10,000, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce said Friday, July 3.

The money comes through California’s State Supplemental Grant Program, a state-funded program administered by the California Department of Social Services that helps disaster survivors who have received the maximum grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individuals and Households Program but still have unmet, disaster-related losses.

There is no separate application. Once a household reaches the FEMA maximum, FEMA automatically forwards the case to the state program, which bases its award on the same FEMA inspection. The grant does not have to be repaid and is considered assistance of last resort, meaning it will not duplicate other aid.

While the program’s ceiling is $10,000, most awards are considerably smaller — historically between $200 and $2,000, according to the state. The funds are restricted to specific disaster-related needs such as rental assistance, home repairs, moving expenses, and medical or dental costs, and cannot be used for business losses, home improvements, debts or landscaping.

The program applies to Altadena because the January 2025 Eaton Fire prompted a presidential disaster declaration and activated FEMA’s individual-assistance programs. State supplemental grants are generally available for a set period after a disaster declaration, a window FEMA has extended for the January 2025 wildfires. Survivors with questions can reach the state program at 1-800-759-6807.