FEMA just announced assistance is available in SC after Helene. Here’s how to apply
After Hurricane Helene battered much of the Carolinas, federal recovery assistance is available for some people, governments and nonprofits in South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday. The move comes after President Joseph Biden approved Gov. Henry McMaster’s disaster declaration request for the state.
Eligibility for assistance varies based on the location and type of recipient.
The Individual Assistance program, which provides financial assistance through temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other services, is available to residents and business owners who sustained uninsured property damage from the storm in:
Aiken County
Anderson County
Bamberg County
Barnwell County
Cherokee County
Greenville County
Greenwood County
Lexington County
Newberry County
Oconee County
Pickens County
Saluda County
Spartanburg County
Individuals and business owners in these counties who sustained losses can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA App. Applicants using a relay service can give FEMA the number for the service to get assistance.
According to FEMA, assistance is determined by comparing applicants’ losses and needs to the available programs and services. After applying, you can review your application and get information about next steps on the FEMA website.
If you’re approved for assistance, an inspector may schedule an inspection. While inspectors don’t generally need pictures of damage sustained or receipts for repairs, it’s a good idea to document your losses with photographs and lists and save receipts for disaster-related expenses if you plan to start cleaning up before the inspection.
Federal funding for emergency work is available through the Public Assistance program to the state government, tribal and eligible local governments, as well as some private nonprofits in all of the aforementioned counties, except Lexington. Those counties include:
Aiken County
Anderson County
Bamberg County
Barnwell County
Cherokee County
Greenville County
Greenwood County
Newberry County
Oconee County
Pickens County
Saluda County
Spartanburg County
These entities can apply for federal funding to pay 75% of approved costs, with the division of the remaining 25% determined at a later date.
FEMA also approved the Hazard Mitigation Grant program, another cost-shared funding program for projects to mitigate future disaster-related risks. State agencies, local governments and some nonprofits are eligible to apply.
This story was originally published September 30, 2024 at 1:34 PM with the headline "FEMA just announced assistance is available in SC after Helene. Here’s how to apply."