Biden announces $770 payments to California wildfire victims

President Biden announced $770 one-time payments for victims of the California wildfires as part of the efforts to provide federal support amid the raging fires.

“We’re not waiting until those fires are over to start helping the victims. We’re getting them help right now, as you all know. People impacted by these fires are going to receive a one-time payment of $770, one-time payment, so they quickly purchase things like water, baby formula and prescriptions,” Biden said in a wildfire briefing on Monday at the White House.

The president said that nearly 6,000 survivors have already registered for the program and $5.1 million has gone out.

FEMA activated its Critical Needs Assistance Program last week, which allows for the initial one-time payment of $770 to survivors to go out, according to a White House official.

The president also said on Monday that there is 14 percent containment of the wildfires in Pacific Palisades, 33 percent containment in Pasadena, and 100 percent containment in Ventura. 

Biden announced last week that the federal government will cover 100 percent of the costs of California’s efforts to fight the wildfires for 180 days, which will stretch well into President-elect Trump’s administration after he is sworn in on Monday.

Meanwhile, Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) have publicly sparred over the devastating fires. Trump has called for the governor to resign over the situation and Newsom has raised concerns that Trump, when he is sworn in, could withhold disaster aid to his state.

Republicans in Congress are floating the possibility of placing conditions on California wildfire relief funds, with Democrats warning such a move would set a dangerous precedent.