More than 100 community members gathered at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena last week to learn more about Southern California Edison’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, connect with neighbors who have gone through the program and better understand their recovery options.
The gathering reflects continued interest in the voluntary program, with nearly 11,700 individuals, trusts and legal entities seeking compensation directly from SCE following the Eaton Fire.
“Staying connected with the community is essential to helping individuals and families navigate their recovery,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company. “We are committed to providing information to community members to make informed decisions about what is best for their situation.”
Filing a claim does not waive a claimant’s rights, including the right to pursue litigation in the future. Receiving and evaluating an offer does not waive rights either. The program is available through Nov. 30, 2026.
As of July 9:
- More than 3,800 claims submitted, consisting of nearly 11,700 individuals, trusts and legal entities, with 31% submitted by attorneys or authorized representatives.
- 2,100 offers extended to over 5,100 claimants, totaling nearly $730 million.
- Nearly 2,000 claimants paid, totaling nearly $300 million, with many more in process.
Top 5 Question Themes
While each situation is unique, five themes emerged as the most common areas of interest from the community meeting attendees on June 30.
1. Who’s eligible?
By far the most common theme was determining who can participate in the program and what categories of people are eligible to submit a claim. Eligibility includes but is not limited to:
- Individuals participating in litigation, with their attorney submitting a claim on their behalf.
- Tenants living in ADUs, with proof of tenancy.
- Adult children attending college and temporarily living on campus, if they have personal property in a property that qualifies for the program.
2. How much compensation can I expect?
Attendees wanted to understand how compensation is calculated and whether offers accurately reflect losses. Panelists shared their experiences, including an attorney who has helped dozens through the program. In summary:
- The program is designed to offer compensation in line with settlement values for similar claims in past wildfire lawsuits, with a more streamlined and faster approach than litigation.
- For most claims, the Fast Pay process provides a straightforward path to fair offers and fast compensation.
- For those with complex or unique circumstances, a Detailed Review option is available, allowing for a deeper evaluation of a claim.
- In addition to all compensation components available through the program, a Direct Claim Premium is added to all offers. This premium can be used at a claimant’s discretion to help with any additional factors, such as pet medical care, not expressly compensated through the program.
- Actual payout averages by claimant category and sample offers are available on the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program website.
“Everyone should submit a claim to find out what is available,” said a meeting attendee.
3. How fast will I receive an offer and payment?
Several questions centered on how long the process takes and when money will reach claimants.
- On average, offers are being delivered within 35 days, well within the 90-day commitment following submission of a substantially complete claim.
- Payments are made within 30 days after all conditions in the settlement agreement have been satisfied, with many claimants receiving payment in as little as two to three weeks.
- For claims including a child under the age of 18, court approval — commonly referred to as a “court-approved minor’s settlement” or “minor’s compromise” — is required as a safeguard under California law. If a child was under 18 when the claim was filed but is now 18 years old, a minor’s compromise is no longer required.
4. How does the program work with insurance and litigation?
Community members sought clarity about how participation in the program affects insurance and future litigation.
- Participation does not require claimants to file a claim with their insurance or wait for their insurance claim to be resolved. Claims can be submitted, and offers and payments are made, while insurance-related discussions remain ongoing.
- Filing a claim and receiving an offer does not waive a claimant’s rights. It allows claimants to keep options open while making informed decisions about their recovery.
- Whether pursued through litigation or the SCE program, wildfire claims are typically resolved through a signed agreement. Through the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, this resolution — and compensation — can come much sooner.
5. How can I trust that the process is fair and working for me?
Community members asked questions about how the program was designed and how compensation is determined. The panel format also allowed participants to share their personal experiences.
- SCE worked with Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros — architects of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 and world leaders in compensation fund design and administration — to consult on the design of this program.
- The program was shaped by feedback from more than 1,000 voices — including community members, plaintiffs’ counsel and elected officials — which led to more than 50 program design updates before launch.
- SCE engaged RAND to independently assess the property valuation methodologies used in the program.
- Ultimately, participation is about choice — claimants can evaluate their offer, request a Detailed Review if the initial Fast Pay offer does not fully address their circumstances and determine for themselves whether the program is the right path forward.
One-on-one assistance and in-person appointments are available to guide claimants with questions, help them get started and provide ongoing support along the way. Call 888-912-8528 to get started. Additional community meetings will be offered.
To submit a claim and access detailed guidance in English and Spanish, visit the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program web page.
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE: EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.
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