GoFundMe help could limit FEMA assistance for fire victims | Money [Video]

New York (CNN) — More than $100 million has been raised for California wildfire victims on GoFundMe so far. But some of those fundraising efforts could actually end up limiting the money that would be available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA can provide financial assistance for those who lost homes, vehicles or possessions in a natural disaster. But it only can make funds available to cover costs not covered by other sources, such as insurance or donations like those that come through GoFundMe.

“We understand that recovering from a disaster is incredibly challenging, and many people turn to resources like GoFundMe,” said a FEMA official in a posting on social media platform X Tuesday afternoon. “GoFundMe can be a great way to cover immediate expenses, but it’s important to know that using it for certain purposes might affect your eligibility for FEMA assistance.”

“For example, FEMA might be able to help you to …