Southern California Edison Enhances Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program for Eaton Fire Survivors
Southern California Edison (SCE), a leading electric utility and subsidiary of Edison International (NYSE: EIX), announced today significant updates to its voluntary Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program. These enhancements are designed to provide stronger, more comprehensive support for individuals and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire. Effective immediately, these updates also apply retroactively, offering increased relief to those who have already submitted claims.
The program, which has been instrumental in providing timely compensation to impacted communities, will now cover a greater range of expenses and reduce participation barriers. Through these changes, SCE aims to empower community members to navigate post-fire recovery more confidently, while ensuring fair and prompt resolution for eligible claimants.
Strengthening Support for Legal Expenses
One of the most notable updates to the program is the increase in coverage for legal expenses. Many claimants retained legal counsel prior to the launch of SCE’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, and this often meant that attorney fees reduced the overall amount available for recovery and rebuilding. To address this, SCE has revised the compensation structure to allow claimants who are represented by an attorney at the time of claim submission to receive reimbursement of up to 20% of net damages in a settlement offer, specifically to cover legal costs.
This change acknowledges the reality that legal counsel can play an important role in guiding claimants through complex insurance, property, and loss-related claims. By increasing attorney fee compensation, SCE ensures that more of the settlement can go directly toward rebuilding homes, replacing personal property, and restoring businesses disrupted by the Eaton Fire. To date, roughly 32% of claims submitted under the program have involved representation by an attorney or an authorized representative, highlighting the importance of this enhancement.
Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, emphasized the company’s commitment to community recovery: “We remain committed to helping the Altadena community recover by making sure that eligible individuals and businesses get fair resolutions and fast compensation for impacts from the Eaton Fire. By strengthening support and reducing barriers for participation, the program now gives community members greater confidence and clearer pathways to relief.”
Enhanced Support for Renters and Displaced Tenants
Beyond legal expense coverage, SCE has recognized the unique challenges faced by renters impacted by wildfires. Displacement due to fire damage can create immediate financial strain and long-term housing instability. To mitigate this, the program has been updated to provide more robust support for tenants.
Settlement offers for renters now cover up to three months of housing assistance, calculated at the higher of either the actual pre-fire rental rate or the monthly fair rental value as defined in the program protocol. This ensures that tenants are not only able to secure temporary housing but also maintain stability without the added stress of disproportionate housing costs.
These changes are especially meaningful given the broader housing market challenges in Southern California, where rental rates are high and available units can be limited. By bridging the gap between previous rent and current market conditions, the program supports displaced tenants during a critical recovery period, allowing them to focus on rebuilding their lives rather than facing prolonged uncertainty about housing.
Streamlined, Prompt, and Certain Relief
The Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program was designed as a voluntary alternative to traditional litigation. While lawsuits can be expensive, time-consuming, and unpredictable, SCE’s program provides a structured pathway for claimants to receive compensation quickly and efficiently.
Claim submission under the program is designed to be straightforward, requiring an average of just over 100 minutes to complete. Once a fully documented claim is submitted, settlement offers are typically delivered within 90 days, and payments are made within 30 days after the terms of the settlement agreement are satisfied. Many offers and payments are being processed in a fraction of this time, reflecting the program’s emphasis on speed and certainty.
This model ensures that eligible individuals and businesses receive the support they need without the added stress and complexity of legal disputes, lengthy court proceedings, or uncertainty about recovery timelines. For many, this means quicker access to funds needed to repair homes, replace lost belongings, or resume normal business operations.
Program Participation and Results to Date
Since its inception, the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program has seen substantial community engagement. As of February 18, 2026, the program had received 2,405 claims, representing nearly 7,000 individuals affected by the Eaton Fire. SCE has extended 593 settlement offers to more than 1,700 people, totaling over $183 million in potential compensation.
Additionally, 86 claims have already been paid or are currently in process, amounting to $18 million in funds delivered to impacted individuals. These numbers reflect both the scope of the Eaton Fire’s impact and the commitment of SCE to provide meaningful, measurable assistance to the community.
With the new program enhancements now applied retroactively, impacted participants will be contacted directly with updated information regarding claims under review, offers extended, accepted offers, and payments already made. The program also provides sample settlement offers and frequently asked questions to help participants understand the revised process.
Accessibility and Multilingual Assistance
Understanding that navigating a claims process can be daunting, SCE offers comprehensive guidance to ensure all community members can access relief. Claimants can submit a claim and access detailed guidance in both English and Spanish through the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program web page.
For one-on-one support, SCE has established a multilingual assistance line at 888-912-8528, offering direct support for claim submission and program navigation. In-person appointments are also available for claimants who need additional guidance, ensuring that no eligible participant is left without help.
For firms representing multiple claimants, a bulk intake process is offered. This allows legal or organizational representatives to efficiently assist a larger number of community members in submitting claims and receiving compensation.
Commitment to the Community and Long-Term Recovery
SCE’s updates to the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program reflect a broader commitment to the communities it serves. Pedro J. Pizarro emphasized the company’s focus on equitable and accessible recovery: “By strengthening support and reducing barriers for participation, the program now gives community members greater confidence and clearer pathways to relief.”
This initiative aligns with SCE’s longstanding mission to support residents and businesses impacted by wildfires, a growing concern in California due to climate change and extreme weather events. By providing timely financial assistance, covering critical legal expenses, and ensuring housing stability for displaced renters, SCE is taking meaningful steps to help communities recover not just physically, but socially and economically.
The Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program will remain open and voluntary through November 30, 2026. This extended timeline ensures that anyone affected by the Eaton Fire has ample opportunity to participate and access the enhanced benefits now available under the updated protocol.
About Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison, an Edison International company, is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States. Serving approximately 15 million people through 5 million customer accounts across a 50,000-square-mile service area in Central, Coastal, and Southern California, SCE is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy to its communities. Beyond providing electricity, SCE has played a critical role in disaster recovery, including wildfire response, by offering structured support programs designed to mitigate the financial and social impact on affected residents and businesses.
Through these enhanced programs, SCE continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering resilient communities and ensuring that recovery from catastrophic events is as smooth and equitable as possible. The updated Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program represents a comprehensive approach to aid, reflecting lessons learned from previous fires and ongoing feedback from the community.
