Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program
Southern California Edison (SCE) offers a voluntary Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program to provide fair offers and fast compensation to eligible individuals and businesses impacted by the Eaton Fire. Eligible claimants can submit claims online or receive one-on-one assistance by calling 888-912-8528. Participation is optional, offers may be accepted or declined, and the program is open through Nov. 30, 2026.
*Represented parties must have their attorneys submit their claims on their behalf
Maintained by: SCE Wildfire Recovery Compensation team
Last updated: 6/30/2026
Common Questions About the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program
Q: Can I decline an offer after submitting a claim?
A: Yes. Participation in SCE’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program is voluntary. If you receive an offer and choose not to accept it, you are not required to proceed. The program is intended to provide a faster alternative to litigation, but the decision to accept an offer is entirely yours.
Q: Does a streamlined process mean offers are lower?
A: No. A streamlined process is meant to make claim review and payments faster, not to reduce compensation. The program is designed to offer compensation in line with settlement values for similar claims in past wildfire lawsuits. A faster process does not mean a lower offer.
Q: Does SCE’s program offer lower settlements than litigation?
A: No. Program offers are designed to be comparable to settlements reached in past wildfire litigation. Offers have ranged from $15.1 million for a claimant with multiple properties to $15,000 for a tenant with non-burn damage. While each claim is evaluated individually, the program is intended to provide fair offers and faster compensation through a more streamlined process than traditional litigation.
Q: Were independent experts involved in designing the program?
A: Yes. Independent third-party experts were consulted on the design of the program. SCE worked with Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, who are widely recognized for their work in compensation fund design and administration. In addition, SCE engaged RAND, a highly regarded nonprofit research organization, to thoroughly and independently assess the valuation of eligible properties. The Santa Monica-based firm published its report and found that the estimates of pre- and post-fire property values, developed by Compass Lexecon, were thoughtfully done and well-executed.
What Do Actual Wildfire Recovery Payouts Look Like?
Compensation amounts vary significantly based on the nature of a claim, from payments to renters with smoke and ash damage in Zone 2 of the Eligibility Area to larger payments for complex total losses. Available insurance also factors into certain compensation categories and payments from the program. As of June 2026, real examples include:
- Average total for homeowner with total loss: $1,700,627
- Average payment through the program: $754,204
- Average insurance coverage: $946,423
- Highest total for homeowner with total loss: about $6,061,000
- Payment through the program: about $1,484,000
- Available insurance coverage: about $4,577,000
- Average payment for tenant with smoke and ash damage: $44,368
- Lowest payment for tenant in Zone 2 with smoke and ash damage: $15,000
EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN
Real property — about $1.0 million
Personal property — about $802,000
Loss of use — about $257,000
Business interruption — about $198,000
Non-economic damages — $115,000
Attorney fees — about $477,000
Direct Claim Premium — $200,000
TOTAL PAYOUT: ABOUT $3.06 MILLION
This anonymized example is based on an actual payout. Amounts have been rounded for privacy and illustrative purposes. Not every claim includes every category shown, and total payouts vary based on the specific facts of each claim, the type and extent of damage and the supporting documentation submitted. In addition to the total payments, claimants may have received insurance payments.
EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN
Real property — about $1.04 million
Personal property — about $773,000
Loss of use — about $248,000
Non-economic damages — $230,000
Attorney fees — about $458,000
Direct Claim Premium — $200,000
TOTAL PAYOUT: ABOUT $2.95 MILLION
This anonymized example is based on an actual payout. Amounts have been rounded for privacy and illustrative purposes. Not every claim includes every category shown, and total payouts vary based on the specific facts of each claim, the type and extent of damage and the supporting documentation submitted. In addition to the total payments, claimants may have received insurance payments.
EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN
Real property — about $4.39 million
Personal property — about $110,000
Loss of use — about $668,000
Attorney fees — about $1.03 million
Direct Claim Premium — $150,000
TOTAL PAYOUT: ABOUT $6.72 MILLION
This anonymized example is based on an actual payout. Amounts have been rounded for privacy and illustrative purposes. Not every claim includes every category shown, and total payouts vary based on the specific facts of each claim, the type and extent of damage and the supporting documentation submitted. In addition to the total payments, claimants may have received insurance payments.
EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN
Personal property — $60,000
Loss of use — about $8,000
Non-economic damages — $420,000
Attorney fees — $96,000
Direct Claim Premium — $150,000
TOTAL PAYOUT: ABOUT $726,000
This anonymized example is based on an actual payout. Amounts have been rounded for privacy and illustrative purposes. Not every claim includes every category shown, and total payouts vary based on the specific facts of each claim, the type and extent of damage and the supporting documentation submitted. In addition to the total payments, claimants may have received insurance payments.
EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN
Personal property — about $10,000
Non-economic damages — $40,000
Direct Claim Premium — $10,000
TOTAL PAYOUT: ABOUT $60,000
This anonymized example is based on an actual payout. Amounts have been rounded for privacy and illustrative purposes. Not every claim includes every category shown, and total payouts vary based on the specific facts of each claim, the type and extent of damage and the supporting documentation submitted. In addition to the total payments, claimants may have received insurance payments.
EXAMPLE BREAKDOWN
Real / personal property — about $1.25 million
Loss of use — $126,000
Business interruption — included in valuation
Direct Claim Premium — $25,000
TOTAL PAYOUT: ABOUT $1.40 MILLION
This anonymized example is based on an actual payout. Amounts have been rounded for privacy and illustrative purposes. Not every claim includes every category shown, and total payouts vary based on the specific facts of each claim, the type and extent of damage and the supporting documentation submitted. In addition to the total payments, claimants may have received insurance payments.
What Types of Compensation Are Included in Sample Offers?
There are many forms of compensation available to claimants through the program, including economic loss (for property damage, business interruption and physical injury), non-economic loss (for personal impacts), a Direct Claim Premium (for participating in the program) and compensation for legal expenses (for those represented by counsel).See how these multiple forms of compensation come together in the sample offers below.
How Should I Read and Understand My Offer Letter?
- Rebuild Costs Offer: $300,000
- Personal Property Costs Offer: $60,000
- Loss of Use Offer: $40,000
- Non-Economic Damages Offer: $380,000
- Direct Claim Premium: $200,000
- Attorney Fees Offer: $156,000
- TOTAL CLAIMANT OFFER: $1,136,000
How Does the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program Work?
Participation is optional, offers may be accepted or declined and the program is open through Nov. 30, 2026.
The comprehensive program includes owner and tenant claims for total and partial structure loss, commercial property loss, business interruption, non-burn damage (such as smoke, soot or ash), physical injury and loss of life.
View the program at-a-glance to explore the program's key features, including:
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Voluntary No individual claimant is required to accept the amount offered. Only when an offer is accepted does a claimant sign a settlement agreement, which includes the promise not to litigate further. There are no fees or added costs. |
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Fair and prompt compensation Through Fast Pay, claimants will receive a settlement offer within 90 days of a substantially complete submission. Payments will be made within 30 days after all conditions have been satisfied in the settlement agreement, including SCE’s receipt of it — signed and notarized. If the complexity of a claim requires analysis beyond the streamlined documentation required in the initial claim form, a Detailed Review will be available. |
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Legal representation optional to file a claim The streamlined application allows for participation without legal counsel. If claimants choose to be represented by counsel, their attorney must submit the claim on their behalf and facilitate communications. SCE will add 20% to the net damages portion (not including the Direct Claim Premium) of an offer to help address legal costs if a claimant is represented at the time they submit a claim. |
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Direct Claim Premium SCE will add a Direct Claim Premium to each claimant group’s offer. This premium is in addition to the other compensation components that are part of the offer and is only available through the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program — not litigation. |
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Wildfire Recovery Compensation?
- Owners and tenants (except those who rented for less than 30 days) of eligible properties. See Map.
- Individuals who sustained physical injuries directly caused by the Eaton Fire (hospitalization or outpatient treatment between Jan. 7-15, 2025).
- Personal representatives of estates for those who died before Jan. 31, 2025 as a result of physical injuries directly caused by the Eaton Fire.
- Businesses that owned or occupied an eligible property.
How do I Start a claim?
Before you start a claim, check out some of these helpful tools to answer any questions you may have about the form or process.
Latest News
Need Help with Your Claim?
If you need assistance with submitting a claim:
- Phone: 1-888-912-8528 (Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m., closed July 3)
- In-person assistance is available. Please call to book an appointment.
- ¿Necesita ayuda en español con su reclamo? Llámenos al 1-888-912-8528 (lunes a viernes: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; cerrado el 3 de julio). Visite nuestra página en español aqui.
Disaster Recovery:
SCE provides resources for customers to help with rebuilding and restoring service, including bill forgiveness, payment plans and temporary electric service applications. For assistance, visit sce.com/disasterrecovery.
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The terms and values of the Protocol govern the program. This program is a voluntary settlement initiative offered to claimants to provide a prompt and certain process for resolving disputed claims. Participation in the program does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing, and the company expressly denies responsibility for the underlying events. All rights, defenses and legal positions in pending and future litigation are fully reserved. This program is offered solely as a compromise and is intended to be protected under applicable laws, including California Evidence Code sections 1152 and 1154.
Public messages for this program are funded by ratepayers to support impacted customers.
