The Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program provides grants of up to $3,000 to help California property owners retrofit older wood-framed houses so they are less likely to slide off their foundations during an earthquake. The work typically includes bolting the house to its foundation and bracing the short walls in the crawl space.
Income-eligible homeowners may qualify for additional funding that can cover up to 100% of eligible retrofit costs. Supplemental grant limits vary by region and project type, with some Northern California brace-and-bolt projects eligible for up to $7,000 in additional assistance.
What does the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program pay for?
The Earthquake Brace + Bolt program helps pay for a code-compliant seismic retrofit designed to keep older houses attached to their foundations during an earthquake. The work usually includes:
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Foundation bolting: Installing anchor bolts or metal foundation plates that fasten the home’s wood framing to the concrete foundation
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Crawlspace wall bracing: Strengthening the short wood-framed walls between the foundation and the first floor, often called cripple walls, so they are less likely to buckle or collapse
The EBB program is administered by the California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP), a partnership between the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. CEA’s role in the partnership explains why the program is sometimes called the CEA brace and bolt program.
Note: An earthquake brace and bolt grant helps pay to strengthen your home before disaster strikes — not to repair it afterward. It does not function like earthquake insurance and does not reimburse homeowners for damage after an earthquake occurs.
How much money can you get, and who's eligible?
The standard earthquake brace and bolt grant provides up to $3,000 toward an eligible retrofit that meets current building code standards. Income-eligible homeowners may also qualify for supplemental funding that can cover up to 100% of approved project costs. For 2026, households must have an annual income of $94,480 or less to qualify for this additional assistance.
Supplemental grant limits vary by region and the type of work required, as illustrated below.
|
Retrofit type |
Northern California |
Southern California |
|
Foundation bolting only |
Up to $2,800 |
Up to $1,125 |
|
Bracing and bolting |
Up to $7,000 |
Up to $2,650 |
These amounts are in addition to the standard grant of up to $3,000. The final award depends on the approved project cost, available funding, and program rules.
To qualify, homes generally must:
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Be located in a ZIP code included in the current funding round
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Have been built before 1980
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Be wood-framed
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Have a raised foundation or crawlspace suitable for the approved retrofit
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Not have already received a qualifying brace and bolt retrofit
Owner-occupied homes are generally eligible. Some recent brace and bolt program funding rounds have also included non-owner-occupied homes, allowing some landlords to apply for qualifying rental properties. Because occupancy rules may vary by funding round, applicants should check the current requirements before registering.
How to apply for an EBB grant
Applying for an EBB grant generally involves these steps:
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Check your home’s eligibility. Use the EBB program-area lookup to confirm that your property is in an eligible ZIP code and meets the basic home requirements.
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Register during an open enrollment period. Registration is available for a limited time when funding is offered. Applicants may be selected by lottery if demand exceeds available grants.
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Wait for program acceptance. Do not obtain a building permit or begin retrofit work before receiving approval, or the project may become ineligible for reimbursement.
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Choose how the work will be completed. Homeowners may hire a California-licensed contractor listed in the EBB Contractor Directory or, if qualified, complete the work as an owner-builder.
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Submit the required documentation. This may include a contractor bid, retrofit plans, permit information, and pre-retrofit photos.
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Complete the retrofit and request payment. After the work passes inspection, submit the final documents and photos required by the program.
Contractors listed in the EBB directory have completed training for this type of seismic retrofit, but homeowners should still compare bids, check references, and verify the contractor’s license before hiring.
How can a retrofit affect your insurance?
Completing an approved retrofit may qualify some homeowners for a discount on California Earthquake Authority insurance coverage. Depending on the home’s age, foundation type, and retrofit documentation, the discount on the earthquake insurance premium — the amount you pay for coverage — may be as high as 25%. Seismic improvements are one example of how property upgrades can lead to home insurance discounts, although eligibility and savings vary by insurer and policy.
Homeowners should understand how their California home insurance policy responds to different types of damage before deciding whether they need separate earthquake coverage. In insurance, a peril is an event that can cause a covered loss, such as fire, wind, or theft. Earthquakes are generally an excluded peril under standard homeowners insurance, so homeowners usually need a separate earthquake policy or endorsement — a policy add-on — for that protection.
The Earthquake Brace + Bolt program helps reduce the risk of serious structural damage, but it does not replace earthquake insurance or pay for repairs after an earthquake. Homeowners reviewing their earthquake protection may also want to evaluate their broader home insurance coverage to make sure the coverage and policy limits (max an insurer will pay out) still reflect the home’s current rebuilding needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the brace and bolt program?
The Earthquake Brace and Bolt seismic retrofit grant is a California program that helps eligible property owners strengthen older wood-framed homes against earthquake damage. A qualifying retrofit anchors the house to its foundation and braces crawl-space walls to reduce the risk that the home will slide or topple off its foundation. The program provides financial assistance for qualifying retrofits.
How much does a brace and bolt retrofit cost?
A contractor-completed retrofit typically costs between $3,000 and $7,000, according to CRMP, although the final price depends on the home’s size, location, construction and the amount of work required. The standard EBB grant can cover up to $3,000, while income-eligible homeowners may receive supplemental funding that can cover up to 100% of approved costs.
Who is eligible for the EBB supplemental grant?
Homeowners must first qualify for and be accepted into the basic Earthquake Brace + Bolt program. For 2026, the household’s annual income must be $94,480 or less, and all income earners living in the home must complete the program’s income-verification process. Supplemental grants are available only while funding lasts, and the amount depends on the home’s location and whether it needs foundation bolting alone or both bracing and bolting.
