Direct relief for L.A. wildfire victims through Propel and GiveDirectly (January 2025)
Propel and GiveDirectly are teaming up again to provide no-strings-attached cash transfers to families affected by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
Starting in January, 2025, Propel and GiveDirectly will be sending cash to low-income households in L.A. County and surrounding communities affected by the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and other wildfires. If you are eligible to receive money through this partnership, you’ll receive an alert in the Propel app to confirm your contact information and sign up for relief.
Why cash matters during a disaster
Direct cash assistance puts you in control during difficult times. You know what your family needs most after a disaster—whether that’s temporary housing, food, childcare, or other urgent expenses. Propel and GiveDirectly are committed to making disaster aid faster, more efficient, and accessible.
Through the Propel app, cash transfers can hit recipient accounts in just a few hours—much faster than traditional aid. In 2022, families impacted by hurricanes Ian and Fiona received their GiveDirectly funds within 24 hours of enrolling. Most recently, Propel worked with GiveDirectly in October and November 2024 to deliver payments to households in Florida and North Carolina who were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Looking to donate to send direct aid to families affected by the wildfires?
How to get direct cash relief through Propel and GiveDirectly
Relief programs open in specific geographic areas after natural disasters, based on available donations. When funds are ready, eligible Propel users in California will see a notification in the Propel app.
The only way to apply is through the form in the Propel app—there's no external sign-up process. Unfortunately, Propel is unable to respond to individual requests for cash transfers.
How the cash funds are delivered
Instructions will be available at the time of sign-up. In many cases, the money will be deposited directly into your account through your Propel debit card.
Eligibility for cash relief
GiveDirectly uses satellite damage imagery and poverty data to identify the hardest-hit communities. Propel will notify eligible households through the app where families are able to enroll and receive support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I get money through GiveDirectly am I disqualified from FEMA relief?
No, if you receive money from GiveDirectly, you are still eligible for federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP).
Can I sign up to be notified? How do I know if I’m eligible?
Eligible households will be notified via the Propel app when funds are available.
There is no way to apply for direct relief outside of the Propel app. Propel will not contact eligible families any other way. Please be aware of online, phone, and text scams claiming otherwise.
Never share your information outside the Propel app. Ignore any social media posts claiming to distribute these funds, Propel will never contact you through Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform.
How do I know this is legitimate?
GiveDirectly brings 10 years of experience delivering cash transfers totaling over $800 million to over 1.6 million people across 15 countries. Propel chose to partner with GiveDirectly to get direct help to families during this difficult time. Our partnership has been featured in:
- Vox: Want to help fire victims? The best way to support Los Angeles in the short and long term
- Heatmap News: GiveDirectly Is Giving Cash to L.A. Fire Victims, No Questions Asked
- AP News: Helene and Milton $1,000 cash relief payments
- GiveDirectly’s fundraising page for Hurricanes Helene and Milton
- Propel + Give Directly Pandemic Response Project 100
- Marketplace: Startup helps feed bank accounts of food stamp recipients
- Forbes: Fintech Apps Offer Financial First Aid For Hardest-Hit Consumers
- FastCompany: GiveDirectly will start giving away $1,000 to people most affected by the coronavirus shutdown
I saw something about this in the app, but it went away. What should I do?
The only way to register for this program is by filling out the form in the Propel app. The form will only be open for a short period of time while funds are available. Propel may reopen the program if more money is raised through GiveDirectly. If that happens, the form will pop up again inside the Propel app.
How many people will get cash?
We support as many people as possible based on donations received. While we expect to help tens of thousands, we can’t reach everyone who uses Propel or receives food stamps in affected areas.
I haven't been selected for a cash transfer yet, and I need money now. What can I do?
We wish we could reach everyone who is in need. We are actively seeking more funding to support this work. If you are interested in donating, please contact us.
Do I have to pay the money back? What’s the catch?
No, recipients never have to pay the money back, and there are no strings attached. This is emergency assistance with no restrictions or tracking on spending.
Who is Propel?
Propel builds free technology—like the Propel app—to help people navigate safety net services like food stamps (SNAP). Propel is based in Brooklyn, New York and earns revenue through in-app partner content like job postings and grocery coupons. Learn more on the Propel website.
Who is GiveDirectly?
GiveDirectly is a nonprofit that lets donors send money directly to people who need it most around the world. Through extensive research, GiveDirectly found that cash allows individuals to invest in what they need, rather than relying on aid organizations and donors to decide for them. Since 2017, GiveDirectly has delivered emergency cash assistance remotely and in-person to financially vulnerable families in the aftermath of climate emergencies, natural disasters, civil conflict, and COVID-19. Learn more on the GiveDirectly website.
