Direct Cash for Altadena Fire Recovery
Direct Cash for Altadena Fire Recovery is a guaranteed income pilot created by the National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles (NCJW|LA), in partnership with the survivor-led Altadena Tenants Union and Altadena Community Land Trust, to support renter households displaced by the January 2025 Eaton Fire. The program provides 30 randomly selected, income-eligible households with $36,000 in unrestricted cash over 24 months, plus optional wraparound supportive services. It is funded privately through philanthropic sponsors, including the Diane & Guilford Glazer Foundation via FireAid LA, with roughly $1.5 million raised to date. The University of Pennsylvania's Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) serves as research partner, measuring impact to inform future disaster-recovery models. Organizers intend to expand to at least 300 families as additional funding is secured.
Wildfire disaster recovery, Eaton Fire, Altadena, Renters/tenants, Tapered/step-down payments, Research partnership
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles (NCJW|LA)
- City
- Los Angeles
- State / Province
- California
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- +1 323-852-8500
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 30
- Funding type
- Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 36,000 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,500 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 24 months
- Distribution Type
- Digital/Virtual payment card, Reloadable debit card
- Benefit details
Selected households receive a tapered monthly payment totaling $36,000 over 24 months: $2,000/month for the first 6 months, $1,500/month for the next 12 months, and $1,000/month for the final 6 months. Funds are unrestricted, non-repayable, and distributed via AidKit and Community Financial Resources using a reloadable digital/virtual payment card. Payments are treated as a tax-free gift (below the $19,000/year IRS gift threshold) and do not affect CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWORKs benefits due to obtained waivers. Participants also receive optional wraparound supportive services and benefits counseling.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicants must have been a renter/tenant in Altadena on or before January 7, 2025 (the date the Eaton Fire began) and currently reside in Los Angeles, Riverside, or San Bernardino County. They must be the primary financial supporter of a household responsible for dependents of any age, with combined household income at or below HUD's low-income threshold for their county. Applicants must not be currently enrolled in another guaranteed income program. Eligibility is open regardless of citizenship or immigration status, and formal leases are not required (proof of residency suffices).
Demographics
- Language
- English, Spanish
Family
- Family Status
- Parent, Single Parent
- Number of dependents (minimum)
- 1
Housing
- Housing status
- Renter, Displaced
Geography
- US states covered
- California
- Countries covered
- United States
- Counties covered
- Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
The University of Pennsylvania's Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) is the research partner, supporting impact measurement and real-time data collection to help shape future disaster-recovery responses. Applicant data (identity, income, contact information) is shared with NCJWLA, CGIR, AidKit, and Community Financial Resources (CFR) as needed for enrollment, payment processing, and program evaluation, but is not sold or disclosed publicly.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications were accepted online via NCJWLA's program page May 11-25, 2026. Applicants submitted proof of identity, current residency, and Altadena residency as of January 7, 2025, along with household income information. Applications are now closed; inquiries can be directed to DCAltadena@ncjwla.org or 323-852-8500 x655.
- Selection process
All eligible applicants are entered into a selection pool, from which 30 households are chosen at random (lottery) to join the program. Eligible applicants not selected in the initial round are automatically re-entered into randomizations for future cohorts, pending additional funding.
