Eligibility

Who is eligible to submit a claim?

• Owners and tenants (except those who rented for less than 30 days) of eligible properties.
• Individuals who sustained physical injuries within the fire perimeter 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.

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Are undocumented residents eligible to participate?

Undocumented residents are eligible to participate in the program. Claimants are able to verify their identity by submitting a passport from any country, a driver’s license or any valid state-issued identification. Claimants must also provide documentation showing residency at the property as of the date of the Eaton Fire (e.g., utility bills, lease agreements or other acceptable proof).

In addition, checks can be issued to claimants without a Social Security number. The program will withhold the appropriate amount for taxes in accordance with applicable requirements.

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What types of properties are covered?

Properties in the eligibility area include the following:

• Residential and commercial properties with structures classified as damaged or destroyed in the CAL FIRE Damage Inspection (DINS) Data website.
• Properties tagged “Yellow” or “Red” by LA County.
• Properties with burn damage to landscaping.
• Properties with non-burn damage from smoke, soot or ash.

See the full eligibility area map.

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I already sold my property. Do I qualify?

Yes, you may qualify for compensation under the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program even if you have already sold your property. The scope of eligible compensation would include:

• Compensation for the difference between the property’s pre-fire and post-fire value
• Personal property compensation
• Non-economic compensation (if applicable)
• Direct Claim Premium

You would not be eligible for loss of use or lost rental income, except for the period between the start of the fire and the date of the property’s sale.

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Can I file two claims — one as a resident and one as a business owner?

Yes, you can file two claims — one as a resident and one as a business owner.

• If you are associated with more than one eligible property, a separate claim application is required for each property. This includes situations where you reside at one property and operate a business at another.
• If you are both a resident and a business owner at the same property, you should submit just one claim that includes both personal and business-related losses. Be sure to indicate all applicable claim types (e.g., resident, business owner) on the claim form and provide the required documentation for each.

You'll need to provide:

• Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, lease, utility bills)
• Proof of business operations at the property (e.g., business license, tax filings, income records)
• Insurance information for both personal and business coverage

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I live in a different city but did a lot of business in the eligibility area. Will I get lost wages?

If you owned a business that operated in the eligibility area and it had property damage directly caused by the Eaton Fire, you may be eligible for business interruption compensation, even if you live in a different city. To qualify for business interruption compensation:

• Your business must have occupied a property within the eligibility area. This includes both commercial and home-based businesses.
• You’ll need documentation showing the business license or tax filings listing the eligible property as the business address. You’ll also be asked to provide insurance policies or permits tied to the property.

Compensation is based on:

• Average net income from 2022–24.
• Type of business and damage classification of the structure.
• Duration of interruption (e.g., 42 months for retail businesses in destroyed structures).

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I started renting less than a month before the fire. Am I eligible?

If your lease began less than 30 days before the Eaton Fire but the agreement itself was for a term of 30 days or more (and was effective on or before Jan. 7, 2025), you may still be eligible.

To qualify as a tenant under the program, you must meet both of the following conditions:

• A valid rental agreement effective on or before Jan. 7, 2025 (the day of ignition for the Eaton Fire)
• The agreement must provide for occupancy or use of the property for a period of at least 30 consecutive days

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What is considered “loss of use?”

Loss of use refers to the compensation provided for the inability to live in or rent out a property due to damage from the Eaton Fire. The amount varies, based on:

• Whether the property was owner-occupied or rented
• The extent of damage (destroyed vs. damaged)
• Pre-fire property value or rental rate
• Insurance coverage received (available loss of use or alternative living expense insurance is deducted from the offer)

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Can I make a claim for a vehicle through the program?

Vehicles are not included as a separate item for compensation through the program; however, the Direct Claim Premium can be used at your discretion to help with replacements and repairs.

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Offers and Compensation

What compensation is available through the program?

• Economic Loss: Property damage, personal property, loss of use, business disruption, business interruption, physical injury, death.
• Non-Economic Loss: Non-economic damages are intended to compensate individual claimants for personal impacts that are not financial in nature.
• Direct Claim Premium: Additional compensation for settling through the program (not available in litigation; additional details below).
• Attorneys’ Fees: 20% of net damages (not including the Direct Claims Premium) for claimants represented by counsel at the time they submit the claim form (not available in litigation; additional details below).

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How long will it take to get an offer?

The complexity of a claim and satisfaction with an offer will impact processing and payment timelines.

All claimants begin on the Fast Pay track when a claim is submitted. This track is designed to quickly review the streamlined documentation and provide a fast turnaround. Through Fast Pay:

• Claimants will receive a compensation offer within 90 days of submitting a substantially complete claim with all required documentation.
• Using this documentation, SCE will calculate an offer, based on the formulas outlined in Attachment 3: Fast Pay Claim Valuation Methodology.
• 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, or if a claimant would like to introduce new information that may alter the initial offer, a Detailed Review will be triggered.

• A Detailed Review is a more comprehensive evaluation of economic loss — requiring substantially more documentation than Fast Pay, such as financial records and possible site inspection — necessitating an extended processing time.
• Claimants can expect an offer within nine months once all required documentation has been submitted.
• Insurance will be deducted for all categories where insurance is available under the claimants’ policies for the Detailed Review track.
• Examples of losses that may be moved to this track after the initial claim form submission include significant deviation in square footage of a property and extensive losses of high-value property, such as a vintage car collection and rare art, to name a few.

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How are payments calculated? How much will I receive for my claim?

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.

At a high level, compensation is based on the following:

• For residential properties, compensation is based on damage categories as designated by CAL Fire, including rebuild costs, personal property, loss of use, and landscaping or smoke damage.
• Tenants receive compensation for personal property and transition expenses.
• Multifamily and commercial properties have similar structured calculations, based on damage extent and occupancy.
• Business interruption losses are calculated by business type and income history.
• Physical injury and death claims have specific calculation methods, based on medical records and economic data.

Complete valuation details are available in Attachment 3: Fast Pay Claim Valuation Methodology.

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What if I’m not rebuilding? What then will my offer be?

If you do not plan to rebuild and you have sold or are under contract to sell your property before signing a settlement agreement, your offer will include:

• Property Value Loss: Compensation will be based on the difference between the property’s pre- and post-fire value, using valuation tools developed by Compass Lexecon.
• Additional compensation categories, which may include personal property, non-economic compensation and the Direct Claim Premium.
• Loss of use/lost rental income: You will receive compensation for the period between the start of the fire and the date of the property’s sale, as outlined in the protocol.

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Are attached garages considered in square footage calculations?

If your garage is part of the habitable space or contributes to the property’s square footage, as recorded in official documents, it will be reflected in the compensation calculations.

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How will I be compensated for damages to my landscaping and trees?

Compensation for landscaping and tree damage depends on the type and extent of the damage and the classification of your property in the eligibility area, as outlined in the protocol.

In the standard Fast Pay track, if your property sustained burn damage to landscaping only, you may receive a flat payment of $10,000 (and still pursue insurance recoveries) if:

• The property did not have any structures identified in the CAL FIRE DINS database as damaged or destroyed.
• The damage was limited to landscaping (e.g., trees, shrubs, grass).

If your property includes damaged or destroyed structures, landscaping costs are already included in the compensation for rebuild or repair of structures.

• In these cases, no additional landscaping amount will be assigned separately.

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I had a pet that was impacted. How does the program address that?

The comprehensive program factors in compensation for a variety of losses. The Direct Claim Premium can be used at your discretion to help with pet medical care or displacement. How pets are addressed in this scenario is not unique to the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program — this would also be the case if lengthier litigation were pursued.

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How is debris removal addressed? What about soil remediation testing costs?

The program helps offset out-of-pocket costs like debris removal and soil remediation testing. This includes the Direct Claim Premium, which can be used at your discretion.

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What about costs related to undergrounding and reconnecting to electrical service?

As SCE undergrounds lines to support recovery and wildfire resiliency, every property will need an electrical service connection. SCE is here to help you understand your options and support you through the process.

Per current CPUC-approved tariff rules, customers are responsible for connecting utility facilities, such as underground power lines, to their electrical panels. These civil construction costs, which include trenching and conduit, on average can be $8,000 or more per home, depending on site conditions. This is typically paid to a private, licensed contractor hired by the homeowner to perform the civil work required to install an underground service line on the homeowner’s property.

• We understand this can be a significant burden, as homeowners have already faced significant hardships.
• We are seeking alternative ways to help fund this expense, including working with Los Angeles County and Cal OES to secure FEMA funding to help offset the costs of service connections.
• At this point, there is an option for standing homes to remain with overhead service line connections with covered conductor.
• The voluntary Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program provides a streamlined approach to quickly and fairly compensate eligible individuals and businesses directly impacted by the Eaton Fire. This includes the Direct Claim Premium, which can be used at the claimant’s discretion and covers unexpected expenses, including service connections.

Each property is different and can present different circumstances. Having one of our service planners meet with you to discuss the considerations at your property will help get you the right information and explain what work may be needed.

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I used my home for business. Will I be compensated for that?

You may be eligible for lost wages (business interruption compensation) if your business operated within the eligibility area and your property was damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire. To qualify for business interruption compensation:

• Your business must have occupied a property within the eligibility area and must have been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire. This includes both commercial and home-based businesses.
• You’ll need documentation showing the business license or tax filings listing the eligible property as the business address. You’ll also be asked to provide insurance policies or permits tied to the property.

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What if I worked for a business that was destroyed and I lost income or employment?

The program provides business interruption compensation to business owners or operators in the eligibility area. The program does not specifically provide lost wages or employment compensation to individuals who were employed by businesses that were destroyed or disrupted. This is not unique to the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program — this would also be the case if lengthier litigation were pursued.

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I have a minor on my claim. What does that mean for timing and payment?

Claimants under the age of 18 at the time of settlement are eligible to participate in the program. For claims including a minor, court approval — commonly referred to as a “court-approved minor’s settlement” or “minor’s compromise” — is required. This is in addition to completing an authorization form for a minor on your claim.

The minor’s compromise is a safeguard under California law that applies to settlements involving a minor. As such, court approval of the minor is required before payment can be made to any and all persons on the claim.

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How do I complete the “minor’s compromise” court-approval process?

There are several options:

1. Work with independent counsel, paid by SCE. SCE has an agreement with independent counsel to help you prepare and file the necessary documents, attend any required hearings and guide you through the process. Additional details are provided to claimants, as appropriate.
2. Hire and pay an attorney of your choice. You may select any attorney to handle this process, referred to in legal terms as a “minor’s compromise.” Under this option, you are responsible for your attorney’s fees and costs. Your legal counsel can contact SCE via email.
3. Represent yourself and file on your own. You may file the petition for the minor yourself. California courts provide standard forms and instructions. Please follow the court’s procedures.

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Can I expedite the court process and payment if I have a minor?

Claimants receive a settlement offer within 90 days of a substantially complete claim and payment within 30 days after all conditions in the settlement agreement have been satisfied. For claims including minors, court approval is required before a settlement agreement can be legally executed on behalf of a minor.

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Will I get more compensation for non-economic damages if I choose a detailed review?

Non-economic damages and the Direct Claim Premium are treated the same in both review tracks (Fast Pay and Detailed Review).

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Why is compensation for economic loss different for a tenant when compared to owners?

There are multiple categories of compensation that comprise an offer through the program. Compensation could go up or down, depending on insurance circumstances and the number of tenants.

Economic loss compensation for an eligible tenant is based on documented losses caused directly by the Eaton Fire, including personal property loss (e.g., furniture, clothing and electronics) and additional living expenses incurred from loss of use. Renters do not receive direct compensation for structural damages as that applies to the property owners.

Updates were made to the program prior to launch to make it easier to file a claim separately and without an insurance offset. Learn more here.

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What is the Direct Claim Premium?

SCE will add a Direct Claim Premium to each claimant group’s offer and all other applicable compensation components, including economic loss, non-economic loss and attorney fees, for each eligible claimant.

• This premium is only available through the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program and will not be available in litigation.
• The Direct Claim Premium will be a uniform amount applied per claimant group per category, as follows:
• Death claims: $5,000,000 per decedent
• Physical injury claims: $20,000 per injured individual
• Claims for destroyed structures:
• Residential owner-occupant of a destroyed primary structure: $200,000
• Residential owner-occupant of a destroyed secondary structure: $100,000
• Residential owner-landlord of a destroyed primary structure: $150,000
• Residential owner-landlord of a destroyed secondary structure: $25,000
• Residential tenant occupying a destroyed structure: $50,000 per adult
• Commercial owner of a destroyed structure(s): $25,000
• Commercial tenant of a destroyed structure: $25,000
• Claims for other damaged structures (classified as Major Damage, Minor Damage or Affected by DINS and/or with non-burn damage from smoke, soot or ash infiltration):
• Residential owner-occupant: $10,000
• Residential owner-landlord: $5,000
• Residential tenant: $5,000 per adult
• Commercial owner: $5,000
• Commercial tenant: $5,000

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Is there additional compensation for those in later stages of life?

While the program considers factors like age in certain calculations — particularly where earnings and dependents are assessed — it does not provide additional compensation, solely based on being in a later stage of life. The Direct Claim Premium is developed with this in mind, providing fast, additional compensation without the delays and uncertainty associated with litigation.

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How are communications facilitated after a claim is submitted?

We will reach out to you via email after a claim is submitted. There are two email addresses that will be used for contacting you. Please add them to your safe senders list so that the emails get delivered to your inbox:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

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How are claims processed and paid?

• Claims are reviewed and a determination letter is sent with the settlement offer.
• If accepted, all claimants must sign and notarize the Settlement Agreement and Release.
• Payment is issued by check, approximately 30 days after SCE’s receipt of every required claimants’ executed and notarized agreement.

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What if something surfaces after signing a settlement agreement?

As part of accepting an offer and signing a settlement agreement, you agree not to pursue legal action related to the matter. This includes waiving future claims that may arise. This is not unique to the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program — this would also be the case if lengthier litigation were pursued.

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Can I appeal or negotiate the settlement offer?

Settlement offers are not negotiable. You may introduce new information or request a Detailed Review. While the non-economic damages component of the offer will not change from the Determination Letter, this review may result in a higher, lower or equal economic valuation. If the valuation is lower, a Claimant will be able to accept the previous Fast Pay offer, if higher.

• If you do not accept the offer within 90 days, it becomes void and you retain the right to litigate.
• Reconsiderations are possible in the event of an error.
• Claimants retain all legal rights until accepting a settlement offer and signing a full release, which waives all past and future claims related to the Eaton Fire, against SCE and related entities. Litigation may continue until the release is executed. Upon payment, any ongoing litigation must be dismissed with prejudice.
• It’s important to note that claimants are solely responsible for any liens, including but not limited to claims by healthcare providers, mortgage lenders, attorneys, insurers or government agencies related to their claims.

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What if I don’t accept an offer? How will the information I provided be used?

Participation is completely voluntary. If you choose not to accept an offer, you are under no obligation to proceed. Our goal is that the offer provides a fair and timely resolution, helping you avoid the expense and delays of protracted litigation, which can take years to resolve.

For those with complex or unique circumstances, a Detailed Review option is available. This process allows for a deeper evaluation of your claim. If the Detailed Review does not result in a higher offer, you will still have the option to take the original Fast Pay offer.

We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used exclusively to evaluate and explore potential settlement of your claim. It will not be used to establish liability in any current or future legal proceedings you may pursue related to the Eaton Fire.

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