The Edison Settlement Proposal is Wholly Inadequate. Here's What We Do Next.
September 26, 2025
Right now, the #1 topic among L.A. fire survivors is “The Gap” - the difference between what our insurers are paying and what it will actually cost to rebuild. The average number we're hearing is $300,000.
Collectively, that's billions.
The Gap is the single biggest barrier to L.A.'s recovery.
There are two sources that owe us billions: Edison, for those of us on the Eaton side, and the insurers who are illegally delaying, denying, or lowballing our claims.
This week, we're tackling both.
Let’s Gain a Fair Edison Settlement Proposal
Edison came out this week with a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program. We appreciate that Edison is offering this. Many families simply can't wait years for lawsuits to play out, especially when 70% of insured families are already trapped in insurer delays and denials. Timely relief could help families get home.
But as written, Edison's proposal is wholly inadequate. It excludes many families, undervalues real losses, and mirrors tactics courts have already ruled unlawful when insurers tried them.
Initial EFSN analysis shows the program undervalues the losses of every group it includes, and it leaves out entire groups of survivors who fall outside the DINS perimeter — a boundary LA County created for a wholly different purpose. One friend's backyard and chicken coop are covered, but not her house, which requires over $100k in remediation. Many of you are in a similar situation.
Here at EFSN, we're gathering community demands for Edison's settlement proposal. With more than 8,500 survivors standing together, we have real strength in numbers. Let's use that strength to secure a fair settlement from Edison.
Here's Edison's settlement proposal (including the DINS map on page 12):
https://download.edison.com/406/files/20258/Wildfire%20Recovery%20Compensation%20Program%20Protocol_Draft01.pdf?Signature=QDqTtSKN0SXSH7yC07b%2Bt4xTVi0%3D&Expires=1758264094&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIATACLJRQCT2IBV7MN&versionId=QEfeoM.8Zx1KyMlSVqqm2tzUMyDVgiFI&response-content-disposition=attachment
Add your voice to help shape EFSN's community demands: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdADU74ioCCXI0_lj_ikq6xWhDX2xA-agmNl8pj-EZqIoUBSA/viewform
Time Sensitive: Friday, October 3, Come Share Your Insurance Story
Apart from Edison, the other pot of billions owed to some of us is insurance.
The delays, denials, and underpayments that most of us are suffering are not just devastating, they're illegal. Commissioner Ricardo Lara has not stopped the misconduct, and insurance industry ads and lobbyists have lulled lawmakers into believing that insurers are doing their job in safeguarding our recovery.
The #1 thing you can do to contribute to our fight for our insurance payouts is to expose the truth of what's really happening with your insurance. At our Community Dinner on Friday, October 3, 5:00–7:30 pm, I'll be filming 2–3 minute survivor interviews outside all evening. I'll ask just three simple questions:
How long have you been paying your insurance premiums?
When you actually needed your insurance, what happened?
What's been the impact on you and your family?
Sign up now, come share your story, and enjoy dinner with the best group of survivors you'll ever meet: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545AFAB2DA4FACE9-59020900-tell#/
Apply Now: Habitat LA Grants up to $10,000
Our close partners at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles have launched the Accelerator Fund. Over 200 grants are available RIGHT NOW, first come, first served! Each grant provides up to $10K.
This is not a loan. It's direct grant support for costs like insurance deductibles, smoke or soil remediation, contractor deposits, permitting fees, tree removal, and more.
Who qualifies? Homeowners with household income at or below 120% of Area Median Income (examples: $127,200 for a single person, $180,800 for a family of four). Funds are paid directly to your vendors or contractors, helping you take the next step forward.
Apply here: https://application.habitatla.org/screening/701Nu00000UJL4L
Full FAQ: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67f5687fc4ea480d5d201fe5/t/68d36165f188454ef2f3f687/1758683493401/Habitat+LA+Accelerator+Fund+FAQ+for+ReBUILD+LA.pdf
THIS Tuesday: PUSD Schools: Safety, Budget, and Our Kids’ Future
Parents across Altadena and Pasadena are asking big questions. Are our schools safe? What's the rebuilding plan?
We're bringing in the big guns: PUSD President Jennifer Hall Lee and Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco will join us for a live parent-moderated Zoom discussion.
Guiding the conversation will be two amazing parent leaders: Mayka Mei, moderator of our PUSD channel on Discord and an Altagether Neighborhood Captain, and Anna Yeager, PTA President at Altadena Arts Elementary — the school that burned in the fire.
This is our chance to get real answers. Invite all your parent friends and networks. All are welcome!
Tuesday, Sept 30, 7–8 PM
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5IcNS3_ASouWajZ_7aTcqA
In the News
• LA Times: Wildfire smoke could be America's leading climate health threat by 2050. Kudos and thanks to Tony Briscoe for intrepid reporting on this crucial issue:
https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-09-21/wildfire-smoke-may-cause-71-000-deaths-by-2050-california-may-see-the-largest-jump
• LA Times: Fire survivors get one year of mortgage relief under new law. Laurence Darmiento has the front-page story. Congratulations and thanks to Assemblymember John Harabedian and his team:
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-09-25/bill-offering-one-year-of-mortgage-relief-to-jan-7-fire-victims-signed-into-law
Full details on Harabedian's site: https://a41.asmdc.org/mortgage-forbearance-act-0
• LA Times: "Policyholders' Bill of Rights" proposed by Consumer Watchdog, guaranteeing fire-safe homeowners' right to insurance coverage. Another great piece by Laurence Darmiento:
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-09-22/insurance-rights-initiative-proposed-by-leading-consumer-group
Full details on Consumer Watchdog's site: https://consumerwatchdog.org/insurance/consumer-watchdogs-file-insurance-reform-ballot-measure-guaranteeing-fire-safe-homeowners-right-to-coverage-other-rights-respond-to-deregulation-initiative/
Got a Gap of $300K+? SBA Assistance Could Help
Our very popular EFSN Webinar with the SBA is now live. The SBA asked us to publicize that there's $1.5M available per family.
Ursula Hyman, Treasurer of the Eaton Fire Collaborative showed us how getting the full $1.5M may be tough, but here's how you can stack the buckets:
Up to $500,000 to rebuild your primary residence (note: rental properties are considered business loans).
Up to $500,000 to refinance your existing mortgage if all three conditions are met: 1) It's your primary residence; 2) You intend to repair the damage; and 3) You have 40% or more uncompensated loss.
Up to $500,000 for mitigation measures not covered by insurance (capped at 20% of verified loss as determined by SBA). This could cover code upgrades or mitigation for fire, earthquake, wind, flood, etc. For example: if rebuilding costs $1 million and SBA verifies that as your loss, you could qualify for up to $200,000 in mitigation funding.
Inside our Discord FEMA-SBA channel, members like @GFoyle1, @Ali Pearl, @Lisa M, @Mizbrown2u, @Felix, and @Cherry are offering deep analysis on how to maximize each of these tranches. Hat tip to all of you for your leadership and generosity in helping us all!
Watch the SBA webinar: https://www.efsurvivors.net/expert-resources.
Learn and share in the SBA discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/JTmDRkSEMQ
Insurance Woes?
Assemblymember Harabedian and his team want to help us track cases with the CDI.
This is a chance to apply pressure on CDI to move faster.
First, file your CDI complaint: https://cdiapps.insurance.ca.gov/CP/login/
Then, complete Harabedian's form:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67f5687fc4ea480d5d201fe5/t/68d5aa4aff32525a3264e0f2/1758833226654/Authorization+for+Case+Management.pdf
EFSN Virtual Rebuilding Summit
Survivors who lost our homes right now face two battles: rebuilding our homes and navigating the maze of insurance and financing. This free, one-day summit brings together leading experts to give you the answers and tools to move forward with clarity.
What you'll gain:
• A clear picture of resilient building approaches, including costs, timelines, and tradeoffs
• Financing paths that braid insurance, grants, and lending
• Step-by-step checklists to help you make decisions without second-guessing
• Direct access to experts answering your questions live
For sponsors: This summit is designed for families making the most critical rebuilding decisions of their lives. By contributing funding or expertise, sponsors will be recognized throughout the event and in media outreach. Spots for recognition and speaking roles are limited. To get involved, contact Reina today.
Free registration: https://www.efsurvivors.net/rebuilding-summit
To sponsor, contact Reina Pomeroy, EFSN Managing Director: reina.pomeroy@efsurvivors.net
Want to Shop Local?
Brooke Iva of the Altadena Dining Club Facebook group has created a spreadsheet of Altadena and North Pasadena businesses with physical locations that are now open. It's a surprisingly long list — let's go support them!
