Los Angeles County has distributed more than $31.7 million in emergency financial assistance to 3,425 households severely impacted by the devastating 2025 wildfires, reaching over 9,600 individuals through a rapid-response relief program launched just 28 days after the fires began.
The LA County Household Relief Grant, administered by the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs in partnership with The Center by Lendistry, provided awards ranging from $6,000 to $18,000 to families affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. The program prioritized the county's most vulnerable residents, including households with children, older adults, people with disabilities and those who lost their livelihoods.
"My goal in co-authoring the motion to create the LA County Household Relief Fund was to ensure that Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire survivors had immediate access to financial assistance when they needed it most," said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. "These funds made a tangible difference for families facing unimaginable loss and gave them critical support at a time when every bit of help mattered."
The program's swift implementation underscored the urgency of the crisis facing wildfire survivors. County officials mobilized resources to launch the relief effort in less than a month, recognizing that displaced families could not wait for traditional bureaucratic processes.
"Standing up the Household Relief Grant in just 28 days was an extraordinary challenge, but our team knew that families couldn't wait," said Rafael Carbajal, director of the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. "This wasn't a full solution, but it was the support we could offer in a moment of real urgency."
Data from the program reveals the scope of devastation faced by recipients. More than 51% of grant recipients reported losing equipment or tools essential for work or business operations. Nearly half of all recipients — 43% — had children under 18 in their households, while 19% had no access to alternative housing. Over 21% lost their primary mode of transportation in the fires.
The relief funding helped families address immediate needs ranging from food and shelter to rent payments during a critical period when many had lost everything. For households with children, older adults and those with health-related needs, the grants provided essential stability during the chaotic early days of recovery.
"Los Angeles County launched the Household Relief Grants just 28 days after the fires — to help families keep a roof over their heads, support older adults in staying safe, and give survivors a foundation to begin again," said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. "This program delivered more than financial relief — it helped restore stability, dignity, and hope for those most impacted by the wildfires."
The $31.78 million distributed included the initial $28 million allocated by the Board of Supervisors, plus an additional $2.5 million from FireAid and other donations. The program was designed as immediate relief while longer-term recovery assistance programs were being developed.
County officials emphasized that the relief grants, while significant, represent only the beginning of what will be a lengthy recovery process for wildfire survivors. The program served as a bridge to help households stabilize in the immediate aftermath while working toward longer-term solutions.
"Our work isn't over," Carbajal said. "We know recovery from the wildfires is only just beginning. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served our community by providing a vital lifeline to thousands of households during such a difficult time."
The county has established an online dashboard at dcba.lacounty.gov/household-relief-grant where residents can access program data and learn more about recovery efforts. Officials continue to work on additional assistance programs as the community begins the long process of rebuilding.
The 2025 wildfires marked one of the most destructive fire seasons in Los Angeles County history, displacing thousands of families and destroying entire neighborhoods across multiple communities. The Household Relief Grant program represents one of the largest emergency assistance efforts undertaken by the county in response to a natural disaster.