When the 2025 wildfires swept through Eaton and the Palisades, thousands of families were left facing loss they could hardly imagine. Homes, belongings, livelihoods, all gone in a matter of hours. In the wake of the fires, uncertainty loomed large.
$31.7 Million to Hardest Hit Households
Amid this devastation, the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), in partnership with The Center by Lendistry,launched the LA County Household Relief Grant, a program designed to provide immediate financial relief to those hardest hit. In just 28 days, DCBA mobilized resources and launched the grant program that ultimately distributed over $31.7 million to 3,425 severely impacted households, reaching more than 9,600 individuals.
Although the grant program has concluded and funds have been fully distributed, every dollar mattered to the families who received support. The grants helped cover essential needs, from rent and groceries to replacing lost work equipment or transportation. For households with young children, older dependent adults, individuals with disabilities, or those who lost their livelihoods, this aid provided a vital lifeline during a time of crisis. The program was designed with urgency in mind. Award amounts ranged from $6,000 to $18,000, prioritizing displaced residents, and those who lost their livelihoods.
“We are not complete…but thank you so much for all your support.
Now we are able to fix our car to keep working.”
The Human Impact
Over half of grantees had lost tools or equipment the most severely impacted residents including households with children, older adults, people with disabilities, needed for work or business, 43% had children under 18, nearly one in five had no access to alternative housing, and over 21% lost their primary mode of transportation. One grant recipient shared, “The grant has helped us begin the long painful recovery from this terrible occurrence. We have been able to purchase not only some of the possessions we lost in the fire, but also to help my children replace items that brought them joy and comfort in their lives…These things were precious to them to feel like their lives are getting back to some sort of normalcy.”
These numbers are more than statistics. They represent real families, parents, children, and neighbors working to piece their lives back together. The grant wasn’t a full solution, but it was vital support in a moment of real urgency; a first step that helped survivors in their journey to recovery. Another grant recipient reflected, “We are not complete…but thank you so much for all your support. Now we are able to fix our car to keep working.”
In total, $31.78 million in relief was disbursed, including the Board of Supervisors’ initial $28 million allocation, $2.5 million from FireAid, and other donations. Each grant offered households a bridge in the earliest days of recovery, helping them envision a path forward when so much felt uncertain.
Learn More and Follow the Stories
The recovery is only just beginning. But DCBA is grateful for the opportunity to provide a vital lifeline to thousands of households during such a difficult time. Explore the stories behind the numbers on the Household Relief Grant Dashboard. Follow and share stories from the program on social media at @LACountyDCBA using #DCBAStories
