2017 and 2018 Fire victims one step closer in recieving aid

Today, those displaced by the 2017 Northern California wildfires and 2018 Camp Fire are one step closer to receiving aid for alternative living expenses and other urgent needs through a bankruptcy court-approved, independently-administered Wildfire Assistance Program.

The court approved the appointment of Cathy Yanni as administrator of the $105 million fund that PG&E advocated to establish and received court approval for last month.

PG&E is seeking to make the funds available to the administrator for distribution to wildfire victims as soon as possible.

As administrator, Yanni will be responsible for developing the specific eligibility requirements and application procedures for the distribution of the Wildfire Assistance Fund to eligible recipients.

Yanni will be responsible for ensuring funds are distributed in a fair and equitable manner, and assistance is prioritized to those victims who are most in need, including those who are currently without shelter.

When establishing eligibility requirements, reviewing applications, and making distributions from the fund, Yanni may engage qualified professionals to assist with the administration of the Wildfire Assistance Program, and may also partner with local housing agencies and community organizations.

“At its very first meeting, the new board of directors focused on how we could help those impacted by these devastating wildfires as quickly as possible. This fund is an important step toward that goal.

With the appointment of Cathy Yanni as administrator of the Wildfire Assistance Program, those who have lost so much can continue to recover and rebuild while meeting their immediate needs.

We feel strongly that helping these communities and individuals in their time of need is the right thing to do,” said CEO and President of PG&E Corporation Bill Johnson.

Yanni is a full-time specialist in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Since joining JAMS in 1998, she has settled thousands of cases. She mediated hundreds of claims arising from the October 2007 San Diego wildfires.

Yanni’s appointment was agreed to by PG&E and the Official Committees that are party to the Chapter 11 proceeding.

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