Southern California Edison (SCE) has announced the upcoming launch of its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program to support residents and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire. Set to begin in fall 2025, the program aims to deliver fast and fair compensation to those impacted by the wildfire, including claims for structural damage, smoke and ash, commercial loss, business interruption, injury, and loss of life.
In a public statement, Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company, emphasized the importance of prompt financial relief: “Community members shouldn’t have to wait for the final conclusions in the Eaton Fire investigation to get the financial support they need to begin rebuilding.”
Claims Process Will Be Simple and Fair
The Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program will offer an expedited claims process designed for accessibility and fairness. Claimants can participate without an attorney, and SCE will not charge any application or legal fees to those applying. The company aims to provide clear guidelines and documentation requirements later this summer, before launching the program. Eligibility will be based on documented losses tied to the fire.
SCE has retained the expertise of Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros to consult on the design of the program. Both are internationally recognized for their work on disaster compensation, including the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Feinberg explained, “These programs can quickly and fairly compensate individuals and businesses that have experienced losses resulting from these tragic events.”
While Feinberg and Biros will help develop the structure of the program, they will not oversee individual claims or directly administer payments. The program is expected to operate through 2026.
Support for Property Owners and Renters
The program will accommodate a wide range of claims, including those from renters and insured parties. Total and partial structural losses, displaced residents, injured individuals, and businesses suffering interruption or damage will all be eligible for review under the streamlined process. Community participation is voluntary, and SCE will gather input from stakeholders — including plaintiff attorneys and elected officials — before finalizing the program.
“The architecture and timing of the SCE direct claims program will be instrumental in efficiently managing funding resources,” Pizarro said. “We want to fairly compensate community members for their losses without lengthy litigation.”
Long-Term Commitment to Resilience
Southern California Edison has served the Altadena area for nearly 140 years. As part of its broader resilience strategy, the utility is investing in major infrastructure upgrades, including undergrounding 63 miles of overhead lines and reviewing another 19 miles for similar treatment. These projects are designed to reduce wildfire risk and improve long-term reliability.
SCE is also advancing smart grid technology to improve outage response and prevent system failures. Automated equipment and updated maintenance systems will enable quicker service restoration and better isolation of disruptions during emergencies.
For more details about the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, including updates on how to apply, visit SCE’s official page: energized.edison.com/wildfire-recovery-compensation-program-launching-soon.
