As people across the Southeast continue to recover from Tropical Storm Helene, those in Western North Carolina are still navigating the process of applying for FEMA support.
Despite persistent rumors and claims on social media that FEMA awards only $750 per household, the agency has provided support for tens of thousands of people across the region.
Matthew Behnke, a representative from FEMA’s Office of External Affairs, said the agency continues to award monetary support to survivors.
“As of (Oct. 18), we have approved over 85,000 households in western NC for more than $115 million and those funds do not need to be repaid, they are meant to help jumpstart recovery,” Behnke said via email.
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Behnke said applicants receive different types of aid according to each situation and eligibility level.
Carolina Public Press recently covered the application process individuals can follow when seeking FEMA aid. Applications can be started online, by calling 800-621-3362 or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
Types of FEMA assistance
Individuals and families may be eligible to receive multiple types of aid. Behnke
highlighted the most common types of aid those affected by Helene might qualify for.
The first step is to complete an application. FEMA will notify applicants of what aid they qualify for. If an application is denied, FEMA encourages individuals to appeal.
Serious Need Assistance (SNA) is approved for many individuals and families.
“(SNA) is money to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breastfeeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation,” Behnke said.
“It is available in all disasters declared for Individual Assistance. To qualify for SNA, you must be displaced, need shelter or have emergency costs listed on your application for assistance.”
For some, supplies are needed but shelter is the most pressing necessity.
“Another new benefit is FEMA’s Displacement Assistance which includes money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster,” Behnke said. “The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options.”
Home Repair Assistance is available to “repair your primary home that you own and live in if it was damaged by a disaster and not covered by insurance or other means,” Behnke said.
On its website, FEMA says repairs may also include measures to help avoid “similar damage from future disasters” as in addition to meeting immediate needs, FEMA often tries to help safeguard homes against future destruction.
These preventive measures vary by disaster type. In a FEMA hazard mitigation fact sheet supplied by Behnke, examples of possible risk reduction repairs
include raising water heaters, furnaces and electrical panels to prevent them from being ruined by floodwaters.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for whether a home qualifies for the preventive work and which risk-reduction techniques FEMA might want a homeowner to employ, but FEMA will provide tailored details to individuals.
“After receiving their initial Home Repair Assistance award letter, applicants whose Home Repair Assistance includes additional funds for mitigation measures will receive a follow up letter explaining the intended mitigation measures,” Behnke said. “Each case will be assessed individually.”
Homes damaged by other disasters, such as tornadoes or wildfires, can likewise qualify for money for risk-minimizing repairs such as ensuring roofs are made to face higher wind speeds or covering vents that might leave the home at risk in a fire.
“As part of our commitment to helping make communities stronger and more resilient, FEMA provides assistance to eligible homeowners impacted by the disaster to help repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes,” Behnke said.
Home repair funds are intended to help with needs not covered by home insurance.
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers are located in many western counties. On Wednesday, FEMA announced that additional centers would open Thursday in Lake Lure in Rutherford County, Marshall in Madison County and Burnsville in Yancey County, adding that more centers will continue to open in the near future.
Also on Wednesday, FEMA announced that the center located at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville would close at 7 p.m. Thursday due to the return of students.
In the news release, FEMA said a replacement for the fixed site will be added, but in the interim, storm survivors can turn to Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (M-DRCs) beginning on Thursday.
- From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, an M-DRC will be open at Swannanoa Fire Rescue – Bee Tree Fire Sub Station.
- From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Oct. 31, an M-DRC will be open in the parking lot of Buncombe County Sports Park.
To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, visit FEMA’s website to use its DRC Locator tool or text “DRC” and the target zip code to 43362. Centers are typically open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week.
In North Carolina, the deadline to apply for FEMA aid related to Tropical Storm Helene is Nov. 27.
To apply for aid and check on eligibility, visit disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
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