DHS Clears Billions to FEMA for Disaster Aid, But California Excluded

Altadena's Eaton Fire recovery left without new FEMA support as other states receive major awards

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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The Trump administration released more than $5 billion in FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding this week, but California was excluded from receiving any of the new disaster recovery awards, leaving communities like Altadena still waiting for reimbursements tied to recent wildfires.

Why it matters

The exclusion of California from the latest round of FEMA disaster aid has left fire-affected communities in the state, including Altadena, without critical federal support for ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts, even as other states receive major new funding allocations.

The details

The $5 billion in delayed federal disaster aid was released while the Department of Homeland Security remained in a partial shutdown. However, California, along with Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, did not receive any Public Assistance awards in this round of funding. Local officials in Los Angeles County have called FEMA's restrictions 'unprecedented,' 'frustrating,' and 'highly disappointing,' warning that the delays will slow the restoration of communities still rebuilding from the Eaton and Palisades fires.

  • The funding release occurred during the week of Feb. 24–28, 2026.
  • The backlog of FEMA Public Assistance funds reached approximately $17 billion as of Jan. 27, 2026, according to The New York Times.
  • FEMA Associate Administrator Gregg Phillips told lawmakers in February 2026 that the agency was 'going as fast as we can' to distribute the funds.

The players

Kristi Noem

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary who issued a directive in June 2025 requiring her personal approval of all FEMA expenditures over $100,000, creating a backlog of funding.

Gregg Phillips

The FEMA Associate Administrator who told lawmakers in February 2026 that the agency was 'going as fast as we can' to distribute the delayed disaster aid funds.

Alex Padilla

A U.S. Senator from California who argued that the Trump administration was 'playing political games while disaster survivors and local governments are forced to wait for desperately needed federal resources.'

Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management

The local agency that called FEMA's restrictions on disaster aid to California 'unprecedented,' 'frustrating,' and 'highly disappointing.'

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What they’re saying

“We're going as fast as we can... I can't go any faster than we actually are.”

— Gregg Phillips, FEMA Associate Administrator (Congress)

“The administration is playing political games while disaster survivors and local governments are forced to wait for desperately needed federal resources.”

— Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator (Media reports)

“The restrictions affect the restoration of our communities and impact ongoing hazard mitigation for future hazards and disasters.”

— Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (Media reports)

What’s next

Federal officials have disputed accusations that the exclusion of certain states was politically motivated, and a FEMA spokesperson said the decisions were based on 'outcomes, not politics.' The Department of Homeland Security also pointed to allocations made to a 'diverse group of states,' including some governed by Democrats. However, critics argue that the administration is 'playing political games' with disaster aid.

The takeaway

The exclusion of California from the latest round of FEMA disaster aid highlights the ongoing challenges and political tensions surrounding the distribution of federal resources for disaster recovery, with local communities like Altadena left waiting for critical support even as other states receive major new funding allocations.