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Published on January 14, 2025
President Biden Launches Federal Aid for California Wildfire Victims, Offers Direct Payments and Full Firefighting Costs CoverageSource: The White House

In response to the devastation wrought by the California wildfires, President Joe Biden has unveiled federal aid measures including $770 one-time payments to assist those affected. During a White House briefing, Biden emphasized the immediacy of this support, stating, "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," KTLA noted. Biden further informed that nearly 6,000 survivors had registered for the relief program and $5.1 million in critical assistance has already been distributed.

Aid applications are being processed through various channels, including the FEMA mobile app, DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, with Disaster Recovery Centers opening to provide resources and support to fire-impacted residents, these centers which will be located at Pasadena City College Community Education Center and UCLA Park West have tailored operating hours to maximize accessibility, as reported by Patch.

With an estimation of damages potentially hitting $275 billion, according to AccuWeather's forecast, Biden assured that the federal government would cover the full costs of firefighting efforts for 180 days, as per Patch.

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom have engaged in a heated exchange over the state's wildfire response. Trump has demanded Newsom's resignation, accusing him of mismanagement, while Newsom has raised alarms that Trump, once in office, could block federal disaster aid to California, as detailed by KTLA. At the same time, Republican lawmakers are proposing to tie conditions to the state's wildfire relief funding, a suggestion that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who warn it could establish a dangerous precedent for future disaster relief efforts.