In light of Hurricane Helene and the various resources that we know our communities in WNC are in need of – this will be our focus for the housing call for Tuesday October 1, 2024. An abbreviated version of the traditional call notes that includes links to federal, state, and local updates as well as news, reports, resources, and events are included succeeding the information relating to assistance and support for those impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina (WNC).
Information regarding Disaster Recovery Resources as of October 1, 2024 at 9:00AM.
We have additional resources in our most recent Housing Matters piece, which you can find here.
If you know of resources you would like to share, use this form here.
Special thank you to the members of the NC VOADs, and our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, as well as NCORR for providing some of this information.
FEMA Assistance for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.
Homeowners and renters in: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
FEMA’s New Individual Assistance Updates
To learn more about the new benefits survivors should be entitled to under these changes, check out a quick description of the programs here. Hypothetically, folks should be able to use the $750 for the same things no matter where they live. Here’s a one pager with more information.
FEMA has declared Individual Assistance (IA) for Hurricane Helene.
What does this mean for you? It means that you can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA to help offset your disaster-related expenses.
You can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by telephone at (800) 621-3362. Otherwise, you can download the FEMA weather app from Google PlayStore or the Apple Store and you can apply for assistance on the app and upload receipts.
There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily.
The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. What You’ll Need When You Apply:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.
Whichever method you choose, the form has a few questions that are tricky. To avoid delay, please follow the following tips:
One of the questions that FEMA will ask when you register is “Do You Have Emergency Needs”? This means during your evacuation or since staying at home during the disaster, do you need help with Gas, Medication, Food (meals, water, had no power and everything spoils), Shelter (you are staying with friends, family or in a hotel); Clothing; or Durable Medical Equipment (oxygen, walkers, cane, glasses, all major equipment, etc). Say “YES” to this question. That will result in your receiving Displacement / Critical Needs Assistance, which is $750.
When asked if your home is/was accessible, answer “NO” if there was debris, tree branches, continued flooding, loss of power, damage or destruction that prevented you from staying there after Helene. This question is asking whether you can stay at your home or apartment and will trigger the ability for you to receive assistance to pay for hotels or provide funding to use while you stay with family or friends.
When asked if utilities are out, say “YES” even if your utilities were out for a few days. This triggers assistance $ to stay somewhere other than your home or to buy fuel to power a generator.
When asked “Are you willing to relocate” say “YES” if you cannot live in your home due to damage, loss of power, etc. This question means you are willing to stay in a hotel or apartment temporarily, and triggers that funding for you. It is not asking if you are willing to move away from your home permanently.
If you bought or buy a generator, FEMA will reimburse you up to $629, but you must submit the receipt. If you bought a chainsaw, FEMA will reimburse you up to $219. Again, you need to provide the receipt. Save your receipts.
Disability & Disaster Hotline
Our partners at the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies run the Disability & Disaster Hotline. The Hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, families, allies, and organizations assisting disaster impacted individuals with disabilities and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.
The Disaster Hotline is always available for intake calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our hotline team is led by experts on the many issues affecting people with disabilities in disasters and strategies for meeting those immediate needs.
Folks can contact the hotline by calling or texting +1 (800) 626-4959 or emailing hotline@disasterstrategies.org.
