President Joe Biden said on Monday that those impacted by the Los Angeles fires will receive a one-time payment of $770 to help cover necessities such as water, baby formula, gasoline, and prescription medication.
Biden made the announcement during a meeting with White House officials on Monday evening to discuss the federal response to the Los Angeles fires.
He said nearly 6,000 individuals have already applied for the aid as of Monday and that $5.1 million had been paid out.
The four fires that started last week have so far killed 25 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and charred more than 62 square miles.
In a press conference last week with Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Biden pledged to ensure California had every resource to combat the fires and also to help survivors.
Donations Pouring In
Los Angeles area celebrities and companies with interests in the city’s entertainment industry have pledged support for those impacted by the fires.“The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” BeyGOOD said on Instagram.
Netflix and Comcast NBCUniversal on Monday donated $10 million each to organizations providing aid to victims of the wildfires.
“Beyond this financial contribution, we are directly assisting all of our impacted employees at this incredibly difficult time, including assistance with temporary housing needs for those who lost their homes,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “We are also continuing to double-match all employee charitable contributions through our employee giving program.”
Comcast NBCUniversal is also providing emergency financial funds, in addition to health and welfare benefits including access to temporary housing and hotels at discounted rates, to employees who have been affected by the destruction of the wildfires.
“Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by these devastating fires, including many in our Comcast NBCUniversal family,” Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts said.
“The destruction caused by these blazes, the loss of life and homes, has been gut-wrenching to experience, and of course our hearts go out to all affected,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said.
Those affected by the fires should go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 to receive their one-time federal payment.
