President Joe Biden has announced $770 one-time payments for victims of the California wildfires as part of the federal government’s efforts to provide immediate relief amid the ongoing crisis.
“We’re not waiting until those fires are over to start helping the victims. We’re getting them help right now,” Biden said during a wildfire briefing at the White House on Monday. “People impacted by these fires are going to receive a one-time payment of $770 so they can quickly purchase essentials like water, baby formula, and prescriptions.”
According to the president, nearly 6,000 survivors have already registered for assistance under the program, with $5.1 million in payments already distributed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) activated its Critical Needs Assistance Program last week, enabling survivors to access the one-time payment. This initiative is part of a broader federal response to the wildfires that have devastated several areas in California.
Biden also provided updates on containment efforts: wildfires in Pacific Palisades are 14% contained, Pasadena fires are at 33% containment, and Ventura fires have reached 100% containment.
Last week, the president announced that the federal government would cover 100% of California’s wildfire suppression costs for 180 days, extending well into the next administration.
Meanwhile, political tensions have surfaced over the disaster response. Former President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom have publicly clashed over the state’s handling of the wildfires. Trump has called for Newsom’s resignation, while Newsom has expressed concerns that Trump, when sworn in as president, could potentially withhold federal disaster aid from California.
Additionally, Republican lawmakers are reportedly considering placing conditions on federal wildfire relief funds for California. Democratic leaders have warned that such measures could set a troubling precedent for future disaster relief efforts.
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