Overview
- Southern California Edison expanded eligibility by 5,579 properties to 18,267 and is now accepting claims from owners, renters, businesses, and those with non-burn damage, injuries, or deaths.
- The voluntary program offers a fast-pay track with an offer within 90 days and payment within 30 days, or a detailed review that can take up to nine months, with claims accepted through Nov. 30, 2026.
- Revisions raise noneconomic awards to $75,000 per child for destroyed homes and $25,000 for major damage, set $115,000 per adult, keep death benefits at $1.5 million plus $500,000 per surviving spouse or eligible dependent, and outline examples such as $900,000 to rebuild a destroyed 1,500-square-foot home plus a $200,000 program premium.
- Payouts are determined by Compass Lexecon models that RAND called thoughtfully executed with noted edge-case limits; offers may account for insurance recoveries, and program awards include an additional 10% to help cover attorney costs.
- More than 100 lawsuits and a state investigation continue as some plaintiffs’ attorneys argue the plan pressures vulnerable survivors, and officials monitor potential impacts to California’s $22 billion Wildfire Fund if liability is established.