2025 Emergency Disaster Relief Program Activated for California Wildfires

In response to the devastating wildfires currently impacting California, the Coast Guard Foundation has activated its 2025 emergency disaster relief program to support Coast Guard members and families affected by the crisis. This program provides immediate financial assistance to help families navigate evacuation, loss, and recovery during natural disasters.

The Coast Guard Foundation is committed to standing by those who serve, during their times of need. In 2024, the Foundation distributed $1.2 million in emergency relief, aiding Coast Guard families affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters across the country. This year, the Foundation is again offering rapid support to families affected by the ongoing wildfires.

“Our Coast Guard families face immense challenges in disasters like these,” said Susan Ludwig, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. “This program ensures they have the necessary resources to recover and rebuild.”

Coast Guard members are eligible for a grant up to cover personal loss and basic needs after a disaster strikes.  These needs include home repair, replacement and repair of household goods, food and basic necessities, insurance deductibles, temporary housing, and emergency travel.  

A Coast Guard member/household is eligible for a maximum of $3,000 in emergency disaster relief annually. If a household receives a grant of less than $3,000 for an event, the member may apply for a second grant if they are impacted by another event, not to exceed $3,000 per person/household per year.  

How Members Can Apply: 
Complete an application online, providing essential information that details your disaster related expenses. Your application will be reviewed within five days of receipt. You will be contacted by a Coast Guard Foundation or Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) team member. The Coast Guard Foundation partners with the CPOA to notify impacted Coast Guard families of the program and process relief requests.

Coast Guard members can apply for a grant up to $3,000 to cover personal loss and basic needs, including:

• replacement and repair of household goods
• food and basic necessities
•  insurance deductibles
• temporary housing
• emergency travel

Questions: 
Ms. Sage Williams, Coast Guard Foundation Program Manager: swilliams@coastguardfoundation.org 860-535-0786

How the Public Can Help:

Last year’s significant hurricane season left our emergency funds precariously depleted. Members of the public can donate to help Coast Guard families recover from disasters by clicking on the "donate now" link above. 

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The cover photo features a Coast Guard helicopter outside a hangar at Coast Guard Air Station Ventura, which is located on Naval Base Ventura County in Point Magu, California.  Photo by Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class J.J. Huggins.