The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated $2.7 billion in response to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, yet many survivors express disappointment at the agency’s support, citing a slow and complicated recovery process.
A recent analysis by LAist of FEMA data reveals that the agency has provided a smaller proportion of damage cost coverage for the L.A. fires compared to what was seen after other natural disasters.
Survivors eligible for assistance post-L.A. fires have, on average, received approximately 7% of the damage costs assessed by FEMA, which is significantly less than one-third of what was covered after the California fires in 2017 and 2018, as well as the 2023 Hawaii fires.
For many families, including those of the L.A. fires, the average amount received from FEMA is about $4,100, while the assessed damage costs exceed $55,000.
Experts caution against direct comparisons between disasters but emphasize that the intricate application process for FEMA assistance has hindered timely responses, leaving many L.A. residents perplexed as they contemplate rebuilding or relocating after their losses.
Furmencio Quiroz, a resident of Altadena, lost his home in the Eaton Fire and anticipated receiving significant support from FEMA to aid in the reconstruction of what insurance did not cover. After more than six months and multiple appeals, Quiroz feels the timeline and expectations set by officials have not matched the reality of his situation.
“It feels like time is flying, and we’re nowhere,” Quiroz told LAist, reflecting the frustration felt by many survivors.
Negotiating the loss of his family home, Quiroz reminisced about growing up in the house now reduced to ashes, overwhelmed by the gravity of the loss and the memories tied to it.
His family was underinsured, relying on a policy that provided far less than what it would take to rebuild, and after initial FEMA assistance for essentials, they sought additional help for housing reconstruction.
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) allows for up to $43,600 for housing assistance and an additional $43,600 for other needs like childcare and medical expenses. Despite this, Quiroz’s application for housing assistance was denied, citing prior insurance payments.
“I’ve appealed the case about three times, because we’re underinsured,” he explained, highlighting the complexity in navigating what is deemed duplication of benefits by FEMA regulations.
Even with FEMA’s policy updates in 2024 aimed at increasing eligibility for those whose insurance does not fully cover damage costs, Quiroz must still manage the ongoing financial burden of finding a temporary living arrangement while facing mounting mortgage payments on the property that was lost.
Currently commuting to work from an Airbnb in Pomona, Quiroz reported a lack of clarity from FEMA regarding his claims, frequently receiving inconsistent responses from various representatives.
He has visited local disaster recovery centers and made numerous calls but describes the experience as receiving “a different answer every time.”
FEMA did not respond to LAist’s request for comment on the situation but the challenges varying disaster survivors face were echoed by experts in the field. Chris Currie, director of homeland security and justice at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), stated that the fragmented system poses a significant hurdle.
“It can just be a very long, difficult process that requires a lot of back and forth between a survivor and FEMA or other government agencies,” Currie explained, observing that programs designed to support survivors often do not coordinate effectively, complicating recovery efforts.
He pointed out that delivery of federal disaster assistance has been added to GAO’s list of high-risk programs that require reform, highlighting the need for systemic improvements as the current labyrinthine system adds to the frustrations of affected individuals.
While disciplines intended to prevent fraud and abuse have created hurdles, Currie remained optimistic that the recent formation of the FEMA Review Council could lead to significant improvements in policy and process momentum.
The landscape of disaster recovery often varies significantly by the type and scale of devastation, and LAist noted discrepancies in FEMA’s response to recent disasters when analyzing its support post-L.A. fires compared to hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
These differences arise not only from the unique nature of the damage caused by each disaster but also from how funds are allocated, with public assistance for restoration often being prioritized for state and local governments alongside cleanup operations.
“In this case, FEMA’s initial assistance to L.A. survivors has covered less of the assessed damage cost than for other significant events,” the report states, raising further concerns about the equity of support offered to those affected by large-scale disasters.
Currie noted that initial application denials often arise from technical issues, but with reinstated processes after appeals, survivors might still be eligible for assistance as long as they navigate the complexities inherent in the FEMA system.
Despite the struggles, Quiroz expressed the intention to rebuild but clarified that his family is no longer relying on FEMA to play a significant role in their recovery path. “We had hope that they were gonna help us out,” he said, feeling disillusioned about the prospects for meaningful assistance moving forward.
In concert with FEMA, local agencies and community organizations have begun addressing the gaps in aid left by federal assistance, reflecting a growing recognition that recovery involves a multi-faceted response rather than solely government intervention.
Jorge Anaya, an emergency management coordinator in L.A. County, noted the county’s previous aid of up to $18,000 through programs designed to support disaster victims, as well as collaborative initiatives to connect residents to existing resources via partnerships with local organizations.
Jenni Campbell, executive director of the L.A. Region Community Recovery Organization (LARCRO), emphasized that FEMA’s funding is not intended to make individuals and families whole, reinforcing the idea that community resources are essential for long-term recovery efforts.
After forming in response to the Woolsey Fire in 2018, LARCRO collaborates with FEMA, nonprofits, and other agencies to help those impacted by major disasters, facilitating a coordinated effort among local actors focused on recovery.
In line with this philosophy, Campbell shared, “It starts becoming a whole-of-community response, not just a whole-of-government response.”
In the coming weeks, local recovery groups will hold regular meetings to support neighborhoods such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena, consistently working alongside individuals to address the ongoing needs of disaster survivors.
Quiroz has found some assistance from local churches during this process and remains open to community support. Having received help in securing temporary housing from the nonprofit 211 LA County, he remains cautiously optimistic about rebuilding despite feeling lost in the bureaucratic process.
The case of Furmencio Quiroz and many like him reveal broader challenges faced by survivors of natural disasters, highlighting the need for ongoing support beyond what federal assistance alone can provide.
image source from：laist
