Sce payout program

“Should I take it?” “Will I get less?” “Will it save me headaches”

We’ll be getting your questions answered and updating this page regularly with new information and guidance from experts.

*This is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney about the specifics of your case.

the basics

Southern California Edison has released a draft of their financial settlement program for those directly affected by the Eaton fire. The terms are complex and should be fully understood before agreeing. We are preparing a full step-by-step guide for you but in the interim, here are some

This program may be a lifeline for folks who are in dire need of financial assistance to recover. Each case will be different. 

in simplest

terms

When a company sets up a program like this, it usually means they think it will be easier and cheaper to settle than to fight in court. There’s never a guarantee with lawsuits, but the fact they’re offering this indicates that SCE thinks settling might work out better for them.

get answers

We have experts standing by to answer your questions. These will never be shared with SCE and answers will be published to this page as quickly as possible.

Attending a

Workshop?

If you attend an SCE worksop, please know:

  1. Nothing said in the workshops is confidential, so be aware that it can be used in litigation, any specifics about your situation should be held close to the vest until we know more about the program itself. 

  2. Workshops will be broken into smaller groups, so gather with neighbors afterwards to compare notes, as you won’t be able to hear everyone collectively. 

an expert take

The below is guidance from an expert in utility and wildfire litigation who has reviewed the SCE draft program and prefers to stay anonymous. They have been vetted by PostFire.

Please remember: You must determine what is right for your individual circumstances - this program may be right for you. *This is not legal advice and should not be taken as such.

1.

Community information sessions are not confidential. Do not share information about your situation. These are not Q&A sessions. They are designed to solicit information from you. If you have questions, your lawyer can ask SCE so you can maintain confidentiality. If you do not have a lawyer, do not volunteer specific information about your situation. 

2.

SCE's program does not extend filing deadlines. If you file a claim with the program and you miss a court filing deadline while waiting for an offer, you will lose your rights to recovery outside of SCE's program. 

3.

This is a draft program. We do not know what the actual program will include. The terms as laid out may change.

4.

The Fast Pay Program does not take your damages into account.  It is a one-size-fits-all plan. It does not compensate based on your actual losses, costs, or experience. 

5.

After SCE considers your claim submission complete, it will send an offer within 90 days. The 90-day clock does not start running until SCE, and SCE alone, deems your submission complete. The program does not say when SCE will make payments on the offers. The program does not say that payments are made within 90 days. 

6.

SCE has advised that if you have a high-value or complex case, you should not go through the Fast-Pay Program and instead should do the detailed review. If you do the Fast Pay Program and then ask SCE to consider factors unique to your case - elderly, loss of antiques, landscaping loss - the review timeline becomes 12 months (90 days, plus 9 months).

7.

There is no negotiation here. If you receive an offer and ask SCE to correct a mistake or reconsider, SCE adds another 9 months to the review process. It can then make you a lower offer.

8.

SCE does not have to disclose the numbers it relied on to calculate an offer. 

9.

There is only one offer per household. One person will be designated the Primary Claimant, and only one offer will be made for the Claimant Group. For example, if two parents, their adult kids, an aunt, and the aunt’s boyfriend all live at House A, only one claim form is submitted for House A and only one offer will be made to that group. 

10.

SCE does not have to disclose the numbers it relied on to calculate an offer. 

11.

Even though SCE is not separately compensating landscaping or other structures, it will subtract all available insurance. It can subtract insurance that you have not been paid. 

12.

The program will have no third-party or independent oversight when it is put into place. SCE, and SCE alone, is in charge of running the program. 

13.

This will be done through an online system, which SCE has not demoed which can mean extended delays.