At the request of Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene survivors now have until Feb. 6 to apply for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to a FEMA release.
Survivors who have insurance are encouraged to file a claim for disaster-caused damage before they apply for FEMA help. You do not need to wait for your insurance settlement to apply. FEMA may provide financial assistance to eligible survivors who have uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused damage or loss.
Homeowners and renters in Western North Carolina, including Mitchell, Avery, Yancey and McDowell counties with uninsured losses from Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible to apply for FEMA assistance.
There are several ways to apply:
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov/drc.
Go online to disasterassistance.gov.
Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and midnight. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
Disaster unemployment assistance
The deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has also been extended. You may be eligible for DUA if:
You lived, worked or were scheduled to work in one of these counties.
You lost employment or had your job interrupted as a direct result of the disaster, and
You have exhausted or are not eligible for state unemployment benefits.
You are out of work (including self-employed or business owners) as a direct result of Helene.
The fastest way to file a claim is online at the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment Security webpage: www.des.nc.gov. You may also file by calling 888 737-0258. DUA is available for weeks of unemployment Sept. 29, 2024-March 29, 2025. Eligibility for DUA is determined weekly, and you must complete a weekly certification to receive unemployment benefits, including DUA.
Low-interest Disaster Loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration
There is also more time to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA is the primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.
Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be referred back to FEMA to be considered for aid under the Other Needs Assistance provision. The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center’s number is 800-659-2955 or mail to: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov. Survivors may apply online at SBA’s secure website:
https://www.sba.gov/es
FEMA is also trying to draw attention to the following services:
Help for self-employed and artists
If you are self-employed, FEMA may be able to provide funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment required for your job. This help is available to a wide variety of applicants, including farmers, artists, musicians, mechanics and many other occupations.
Meet with a FEMA mitigation specialist at one of the Disaster Recovery Centers
FEMA mitigation specialists are in DRCs to help answer questions and give advice on techniques to repair and rebuild safer and stronger. They are meeting with people at DRCs in Western North Carolina counties including Mitchell, Avery, Yancey and McDowell.
Help is still available for survivors in need of assistance cleaning up their Helene damaged
Homeowners are responsible for cleaning-up their damaged home after a disaster. Knowing to separate and dispose of these items can be daunting and sometimes over-whelming.
Appeals for aid denials
If you disagree with FEMA or details within your Determination Letter, file an appeal. FEMA provides free legal assistance to help.
Remember, the Legal Services team can provide support for those currently needing to file an appeal, addressing foreclosures, evictions, and other contractual disagreements.
Disaster Legal Services can be reached at (866) 219-5262.