Biden said on Monday that those affected by the fires can apply to receive a one-time payment of $770 to buy immediate necessities like food and baby formula.
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PresidentJoeBidensaidonMondaythatpeopleimpactedbytheCaliforniawildfireswillreceiveaone-timepaymentof$770“sotheycanquicklypurchasethingslikewater,babyformula,andprescriptions.”
Theannouncementsparkedawaveofcriticismandangeronsocialmedia,withmanycomplainingthattheone-timepaymentwasnotenough—especiallyintheGoldenState,wherethecostoflivingishigherthanmuchoftherestofthecountry.
WhyItMattersThewildfiresthathaveravagedSouthernCaliforniaoverthepastweekareamongthemostdevastatingeverinthestate—andcouldbeamongthecostliestinAmericanhistory.
PrivateforecasterAccuWeatherhasestimatedthedamagesandeconomiclosscausedbythefirestobebetween$250billionand$275billion,asthousandsofstructures,includingmanyhomesandwell-knownlandmarks,arethoughttobedestroyed.
TherecoveryisexpectedtobechallengingforCaliforniansimpactedbythefires,whocouldfacerisingpropertyinsuran
