Eaton Fire compensation programme closes to new claims on 30 November
Key Takeaway: Southern California Edison’s voluntary compensation programme for Eaton Fire survivors stops accepting new claims on 30 November 2026, with nearly $580 million paid out so far and survivor attorneys arguing the offers fall far short of total damages.
Southern California Edison has announced that its voluntary Wildfire Recovery Compensation Programme will close to new claims on 30 November 2026, according to an Edison International newsroom release dated Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
More than 5,300 claims have come in, spanning upwards of 16,250 individuals, trusts and legal entities. Edison has made over 3,100 offers to 7,700+ claimants worth nearly $1.1 billion; roughly 80% were accepted and about 2% turned down, while almost 4,200 claimants have received payouts topping $580 million.
The January 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena was concluded by the LA County Fire Department to have been sparked by electrical arcing on an SCE transmission tower, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.
Programme growth through 2026
Programme data shows steady expansion through the year. By mid-July, SCE had extended 2,100+ offers to 5,200+ claimants totalling $743 million+, with $314 million paid, Pasadena Now reported. By late August, nearly $450 million had been paid to 3,000+ claimants, Settlement Insight reported. By early October, the utility had reached $1 billion in offers to 15,300 survivors, with 3,850 applicants accepting $535 million.
Edison says the average offer is made within 36 days of a substantially complete claim, with payment within 30 days of conditions being satisfied. Programme terms include a Direct Claim Premium of $5 million per death and $200,000 per destroyed owner-occupied home, plus a 20% add-on for attorney-represented claimants.
“Every family and business is facing different circumstances as they navigate recovery,” “We want community members to understand the program and be aware of the November 30 deadline as they consider what path is right for them.”
Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International
Survivor attorneys say offers fall short
Survivor attorneys put total damages at $10 billion to $15 billion and argue the programme’s offers amount to roughly half of what claimants might recover through litigation. Richard Bridgford, an attorney suing Edison, called the plan ‘an abject failure’.
Community advocates echoed the concern. Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network, said many accept offers out of desperation. The advocacy group Consumer Watchdog put the share of rebuilding costs covered by payouts at 54% to 73%.
The first bellwether trial in the Eaton Fire litigation is scheduled for 27 January 2027. The US Department of Justice sued SCE in September 2025 seeking $40 million+.
“It’s $10 billion to $15 billion in damages and they’ve offered $1 billion. Their plan has been an abject failure,” “They haven’t even settled 5% of the problem.”
Richard Bridgford, attorney suing Edison, quoted by the LA Daily News
What survivors should know
Edison spokesman David Eisenhauer said meaningful relief is reaching thousands of people and called the programme the most expeditious path for settling claims. Gerry Singleton, another attorney suing Edison, advised clients the time saved is not worth the compromise sought.
On taxes, H.R. 5366, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, passed the Senate on 7 August 2026 and awaited presidential signature as of 1 September.
“Just because they make offers doesn’t mean they are fair,” “Many people who are taking them are taking them out of desperation.”
Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network, quoted by the LA Daily News
Key Story Metrics
| Figure | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| 30 November 2026 | Deadline for new claims (Edison, 20 Oct 2026) |
| 5,300+ claims / 16,250+ individuals | Received (Edison, 20 Oct 2026) |
| 3,100+ offers / $1.1bn | Extended to 7,700+ claimants; ~80% accepted (Edison) |
| $580m+ | Paid to nearly 4,200 claimants (Edison) |
| 36 days / 30 days | Average offer time / payment time (Edison) |
| $5m / $200k | Direct Claim Premium per death / per destroyed owner-occupied home (Settlement Insight) |
| $10-15bn | Survivor attorneys’ estimate of total damages (LA Daily News; attorneys’ claim) |
| 27 January 2027 | First bellwether trial scheduled (LA Daily News) |
✓ Verified
Verified: SCE’s voluntary Wildfire Recovery Compensation Programme closes to new claims on 30 November 2026. As of 20 October 2026: 5,300+ claims, 3,100+ offers totalling nearly $1.1bn, ~80% accepted, nearly 4,200 claimants paid $580m+. The LA County Fire Department concluded the fire was sparked by electrical arcing on an SCE transmission tower.
⚠ Still needs confirmation
Attorney estimates ($10-15bn total damages; offers ‘roughly half’ of litigation value) and the Consumer Watchdog rebuilding-cost estimate (54-73%) are advocates’ claims, not settled figures; the bellwether trial is scheduled, not decided.
- Edison International Newsroom (20 Oct 2026): Key Deadlines Approaching for Eaton Fire Recovery Compensation
- Los Angeles Daily News (Tony Saavedra, 2 Oct 2026): SCE hits $1 billion mark in offerings to Eaton fire survivors
- Pasadena Now (20 Jul 2026): Edison’s Eaton Fire payout program tops $750 million
- CBS News Los Angeles: Southern California Edison Eaton Fire compensation
- Settlement Insight (1 Sep 2026): SCE Eaton Fire compensation program, $450m paid
Editor’s note: This article draws on reporting available up to 20 October 2026. Programme figures are Edison’s; attorney and advocate estimates are their claims. This is not legal advice.
