Biden Announces $770 Relief Payments for California Wildfire Victims

President Joe Biden has unveiled a one-time relief payment of $770 for individuals impacted by the devastating wildfires in California. The payments aim to assist victims with purchasing essential items such as food, clothing, and medications. Nearly 6,000 residents have already been approved for the financial aid, totaling about $5.1 million in assistance so far.

In addition to the direct payments, President Biden has approved California’s disaster declaration, which unlocks federal funding for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-interest loans for those with uninsured property losses. The federal government will also cover 100% of California’s disaster response costs for six months.

The wildfires have caused extensive damage, claiming at least 24 lives and destroying thousands of homes. With nearly 13 million people under critical fire warnings, evacuation orders have been issued in several regions, especially Ventura County. The fires continue to rage due to strong winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity, presenting significant challenges for firefighting crews.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating recovery efforts, including the distribution of food, water, and essential supplies. U.S. Marines have also been deployed to assist with search-and-rescue operations.

President Biden emphasized the urgency of providing support to those affected, stating, “We’re not waiting until those fires are over to start helping the victims. We’re getting them help right now.”