This week the Federal Emergency Management Agency once again extended their deadline to apply for assistance in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
People affected by the storm who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance now have until March 8, 2025 to do so.
FEMA funds can be granted for temporary housing, home repair or replacement, and repairing private roads and bridges. The funds may also cover disaster-caused expenses, like repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, moving and storage costs, as well as medical, dental, child care and other miscellaneous items.
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
Those who have already applied and been denied, or disagree with the agency’s decision have the option to appeal. The agency says it often needs more information for qualification.
“A letter from FEMA saying you are ineligible for disaster assistance after Tropical Storm Helene may not be a denial or final decision. Sometimes, FEMA just needs more information or supporting documentation from you,” the agency’s website reads.
The agency requires that people submit appeals within 60 days of receiving their decision letter. That letter, according to the agency, will contain additional information on the types of documents or information that will need to be provided if you choose to appeal.
Local nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has been hosting clinics to help those who want to appeal a FEMA decision. Max Gibbons directs the nonprofit’s pro bono services. He said the FEMA appeals process can be a more through opportunity to share the impacts of the storm.
“On the appeal, you can do a declaration and tell your whole story and everything that happened and all the disruption and whatever happened to your family and what happened to your home,” Gibbons said. “You can describe the damage and you can attach photos and you can attach estimates from a contractor.”
Pisgah Legal plans to host more clinics for those working on FEMA applications and appeals. The next one is on Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 109 Church St. in Black Mountain.
“I'm sympathetic if somebody is throwing up their hands and has gotten discouraged, but we do think that we can shake loose some compensation for folks through the appeal process because of the greater flexibility,” Gibbons said.
On their website, FEMA lists four ways to submit an appeal:
Online:
If you set up an online account, appeals can be managed through this account. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov, log into your account and to upload all supporting documents using the Correspondence "Upload Center."
In Person:
You can take your appeal documentation to a Disaster Recovery Center.
By Mail:
FEMA - Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
By Fax:
Fax your appeal documents to:
(800) 827-8112Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program
