Some families that were affected by the chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove last month say they’re still in limbo after the emergency relief fund created to help evacuees closed to new applicants.

A week after the Orange County residents who were forced out of their homes due to the emergency were given clearance to return, GKN Aerospace, the company at the center of the crisis, announced a $3 million donation to Orange County’s United Way to help. The funds were made available as a one-time payment of up to $500 per household, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

After receiving thousands of requests, however, new applications are no longer being accepted. Many who applied for the funds are still waiting to hear if they’ll be given the financial assistance.

About 50,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes last month after the facility reported overheating and pressure building in one of the toxic chemical storage tanks. With some evacuation centers reaching capacity at the time, residents who were unable to get in had to seek lodging elsewhere, such as hotels and motels.

“You make ends meet, but still you’re spending unnecessary amounts of money that nobody needs to spend,” said James Abilez, a Stanton resident who was evacuated.

United Way said it received more than 6,000 applications for the funds, prompting applications to close.

“It’s a joke. It’s a joke,” said Rafael Cruz Delgado, another Stanton resident. “Out of 50,000, people were affected.”

The FBI serves a search warrant at GKN Aerospace. Video broadcast Wednesday June 10, 2026 on the NBC4 News at 11 a.m.

Both Delgado and Abilez said they applied for the financial assistance, but have yet to hear whether it will be granted to them.

“Those couple of days I had to drive all the way to Riverside for my mom, I had to come all the way down to Santa Ana for work,” Delgado said. “I already pay enough for gas. Gas prices are crazy right now and just to have that happen and to get this little amount of money that I don’t even know if I’m promised. It’s crazy.”

When asked if GKN Aerospace plans to provide additional funding, it reiterated its $3 million contribution to United Way.