Eaton Fire survivors in Altadena and Pasadena who have exhausted their federal disaster assistance could receive up to $10,000 more without filing a single new form.
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce announced Friday, July 3, that households that hit the cap on FEMA's Individuals and Households Program are automatically forwarded to California's State Supplemental Grant Program, an entirely state-funded program administered by the California Department of Social Services. No separate application is required.
"As Altadena and Pasadena continue to rebuild from the Eaton Fire, this critical extension will ensure that homeowners and renters have the financial and housing support they need during their recovery," Rep. Judy Chu said in a statement.
How it works
Once a household reaches the FEMA IHP maximum, FEMA transmits the case to the state program, which bases its award on the same inspection already conducted. The grant does not have to be repaid.
The SSGP ceiling is $10,000, but most awards are considerably smaller. Historically, payouts have ranged between $200 and $2,000, according to the state.
What the money covers
The funds are restricted to disaster-related needs:
- Rental assistance
- Home repairs
- Moving expenses
- Medical or dental costs
The grant cannot be used for business losses, home improvements, debts, or landscaping.
Who qualifies
Eligibility hinges on having received the maximum FEMA housing grant. Rep. Brad Sherman's office has cited that cap at $43,600 per household, though the figure may have been adjusted since January 2025. Survivors should confirm current amounts with the state hotline.
The Eaton Fire ignited on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, killing at least 19 people and displacing thousands of families across Altadena and parts of Pasadena. The presidential disaster declaration issued the following day activated FEMA's individual-assistance programs, which in turn triggered SSGP eligibility for those who max out federal aid.
Deadlines
No specific SSGP cutoff date has been announced, but the program window is tied to FEMA's extended IHP timeline. Under that extension, eligible homeowners can receive assistance through Wednesday, July 9, 2027, and eligible renters through Friday, October 9, 2026. As of June 12, FEMA reported more than 35,000 households had received IHP assistance totaling over $177 million.
Survivors with questions about their eligibility or award timing can reach the state program at 1-800-759-6807 or by email at [email protected]. The TTY number for deaf or hard-of-hearing callers is 1-800-952-8349.
