The hard truth is this: Natural disasters are becoming regular occurrences, causing billions of dollars in damages and a high death toll around the globe.
In the last year alone, the National Centers for Environmental Information reported 27 weather disaster events in the U.S., including the devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton, “with losses exceeding $1 billion each.”
The organization added: “Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 568 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted.”
The nation has watch on as 2025 got off to an awful and tragic start, with the devastating wildfires ravaging Southern California, leaving many in desperate need of help — and the first place they’re turning to is FEMA.
What is FEMA?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides relief and assistance during natural disasters.
President Jimmy Carter created the agency via an emergency order in 1979. It became part of the Department of Homeland Security in March 2003, according to its website.
FEMA operates through program offices and regional offices throughout the country. It has a workforce of more than 50,000 active members “during major disasters.”
(Katie McTiernan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
FEMA California wildfire assistance and resources to date
The latest statistics on the California wildfires show that as of Jan. 15, over 40,000 acres have been scorched. The initial blaze in Pacific Palisades is at 17% containment, with nearly 24,000 acres decimated. According to Cal Fire, 24 people have died and, sadly, it remains unclear if that number will grow.
To top it all off, AccuWeather projects that total damages will cost between $250 billion and $275 billion.
With the crisis still unfolding, FEMA stepped in to help in various ways, including getting money to victims for essential items fast.
President Biden announced that affected individuals will receive a one-time payment of $750. As of Jan. 14, 6,000 survivors had registered for the payment. Its uses include help with housing needs if they cannot return home because of the fires, as well as rental assistance and basic home repairs
According to a White House press release, Biden approved a California major disaster declaration, which made federal funding available to Los Angeles County residents on Jan. 8.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” according to the release.
In addition, on Jan. 14, President Biden made additional disaster assistance available to California.
“The President authorized the federal cost-share to be increased from 75% to 100% for a period of 180 days of the state’s choosing within the first 270 days of the incident period,” according to a FEMA press release.
FEMA assistance application is available online to those who qualify
People affected by the wildfires can thankfully file applications from their phones or computers.
However, not everyone who lost a home or belongings can actually apply for FEMA assistance.
“If you have insurance and are applying for FEMA disaster assistance, you must file a claim with your insurance company first,” according to the agency.
“By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If insurance does not cover all your damage, you may be eligible for federal assistance,” they added.
How to apply
The fastest way is to visit Disasterassistance.gov. Alternative methods include applying through the FEMA mobile app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
You will need proper documentation, including the names of everyone living in your home during the fires, their Social Security numbers, household income, contact information, and information about property damage/emergency needs.
FEMA will review the application and can send inspectors to your house. Post-inspection, FEMA sends an eligibility letter and a check “within 10 days.”
Jason Sorens, senior research faculty at the American Institute for Economic Research, also noted that FEMA assistance can take a very long time to arrive. FEMA is still paying hundreds of millions of dollars this year for recovery from Hurricane Sandy, which happened in 2012.
How much assistance can FEMA provide?
For this fiscal year, FEMA has the authority to spend $31 billion. The agency “carried over a balance of $11 billion from last year, were given $20 billion in new appropriations, and have authority to use $31 million of other budgetary resources,” according to USASpending.gov.
So far, 64.4%, $20 billion, of the total “has been obligated.”
Another key point is that most of FEMA’s funding goes toward clearing debris, repairing or replacing roads, parks, and other public facilities.
“While FEMA can provide individual assistance, it is insufficient to replace all the damage done,” says insurance and FEMA expert and trial attorney George Hooker, at Cole, Scott & Kissane. “For example, after the recent California fires in areas such as the Palisades and Eaton, homeowners may have to make multiple FEMA claims for new damage if further destruction is discovered.”
In addition to the $750, the individual cap for each resident may go as high as $42,500 for home repairs depending on the extent of the damage, according to Hooker.
“Homeowners in fire-affected areas should not expect FEMA to fully replace what they’ve lost,” he says.” The agency’s funding is often limited, and it was not designed to provide a complete replacement of homes, but rather to assist communities and infrastructure.”
Deanne Criswell is the FEMA administrator. While President-elect Donald Trump has yet to nominate a replacement, NBC News reports that Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, is “at the top of the list.”
Resources such as the Red Cross and disaster recovery centers are also available.
Realtor.com is partnering with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to raise funds to support victims of the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation provides urgent housing-related assistance to homeowners impacted by disasters.
