LA Fire Victims Will Get $770 Payments, Biden Announces

LOS ANGELES, CA — Victims of the deadly wildfires that have destroyed over 63 miles of Los Angeles County will receive $770 one-time payments from the federal government, President Joe Biden announced.

According to Biden, $5.1 million has been delivered to almost 6,000 survivors who have registered for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Critical Needs Assistance Program. Victims of the fires can apply for assistance through the FEMA mobile app, DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

“We’re not waiting until those fires are over to start helping the victims. We’re getting them help right now, as you all know. People impacted by these fires are going to receive a one-time payment of $770, one-time payment, so they quickly purchase things like water, baby formula and prescriptions,” Biden said in a wildfire briefing on Monday at the White House.

The damages and economic loss could total some $275 billion, according to the latest estimate from AccuWeather. The weather hub nearly doubled its preliminary estimate to between $250 billion and $275 billion in just a few days.

Biden's announcement comes a week after he vowed the federal government will cover 100 percent of the costs of firefighting efforts for the next 180 days.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will open today, offering resources for residents impacted by the fires. The centers will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, but starting Wednesday, they will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The centers will include representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who will assist residents in signing up for aid or applying for disaster relief loans.

The Eaton Fire Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center at 3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena.

The Palisades Fire Disaster Recovery Center is located at UCLA Park West at 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.