President Joe Biden has unveiled a one-time relief payment of $770 for victims of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, California, as the region grapples with one of the worst fire seasons in the state’s history.
The announcement was made on Monday as Biden’s presidency nears its end, the wildfire has already claimed 29 lives, and the situation continues to alarm Americans.
In a meeting, Biden assured that immediate assistance would be provided, stating, “We are not waiting until the fires are over to help victims. We are helping them right now.”
He emphasized that the payment would enable victims to purchase essential items such as water, baby formula, and medications.
So far, nearly 6,000 survivors have registered for aid, with $5.1 million already distributed. The federal government has committed to covering 100% of the disaster response costs for the next six months.
Biden further outlined that those affected by the fires could apply for assistance through DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. The ongoing support includes covering all fire-related and firefighting costs for the next 180 days.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that around 33,000 residents have already sought disaster assistance. In a joint briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and emergency officials, Biden stated, “It’s going to cost tens of billions of dollars to restore Los Angeles. We need Congress to step up with the necessary funding.”
The financial toll from the fires is estimated to be between $250 billion and $275 billion, according to AccuWeather. The damage has already surpassed that of the 2020 wildfire season and exceeds the losses from Hurricane Helene in 2024 and the Maui fires in 2023.