Southern California Edison (SCE) has scheduled community workshops this month to review its proposed Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, a voluntary claims process designed to provide payments and faster resolutions to individuals and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire. The draft program allows the public to weigh in on eligibility rules, valuation methods, and settlement details before the initiative launches this fall.
Workshops for Community Input
Two virtual and two in-person sessions will be held between September 25 and 29. The in-person workshops will take place at Loma Alta Park Gymnasium in Altadena, while online sessions are also available for those unable to attend in person. Residents can register for the meetings and view draft program information at sce.com/directclaimsupdates.
SCE developed the program with guidance from Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, nationally recognized experts in compensation fund design. Their experience includes administering compensation following the September 11 attacks, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the Boston Marathon bombings.
Program Structure and Options
The draft plan offers two paths for submitting claims. A Fast Pay option aims to provide settlement offers within 90 days, while a more detailed review process will take up to nine months. Property valuations under the Fast Pay option were developed by Compass Lexecon, with review and evaluation underway by RAND Corporation.
Eligible claimants include property owners, tenants, and businesses impacted by the fire. Compensation covers property loss, business disruption, physical injury, or death. Noneconomic losses such as emotional distress will also be considered. Public entities and insurance companies are excluded. Claimants must provide documentation such as proof of residency, ownership, or hospitalization records depending on their claim type.
Additional Compensation and Legal Options
SCE will add a Direct Claim Premium of $200,000 for homeowners who lost their residences. Claimants represented by legal counsel will receive an additional 10 percent added to net damages (excluding the premium) to help offset legal costs. Legal representation is not required to participate in the program.
“The resilience of community members continues to inspire us, yet it’s difficult to witness the challenges they face,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. “SCE’s program is designed to help them focus on their recovery, and our efforts remain on supporting the community.”
Feinberg emphasized that “speed in processing claims is essential,” while Biros noted that the program is “completely transparent and voluntary.”
Next Steps
Following the workshops, SCE will finalize the program details and launch the full claims process later this fall. More information is available on the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program webpage.
