Hurricane Helene survivors have an additional month to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The new deadline is April 7, 2025.
On Friday, March 7, the federal government granted Gov. Josh Stein's request for a 30-day extension.
FEMA provides help through temporary housing, home repair or replacement, and repair of private roads and bridges.
People with disaster-related expenses, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, moving and storage costs, or medical care may also receive aid.
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
Anyone who applies and is denied may appeal.
A denial is not necessarily a permanent decision. Sometimes FEMA officials need more information to check eligibility.
If a person is denied FEMA assistance, the law provides 60 days from receipt of the denial to appeal.
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) 827-8112 Attention: FEMA - Individuals & Households Program
SBA extension
Small businesses seeking assistance from the federal government have more time to complete their applications.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) extended the physical damage loan deadline for Helene relief to April 27, 2025.
Eligibility
Small businesses in the following locations are eligible: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties, as well as The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply.
Available funds
SBA offers loans of up to $2 million "to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets."
"Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence," according to an SBA press release.
Funds are also avaiable for loans to address mitigation improvements such as "strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage."
How to apply
Applicants can apply online or by scheduling an in-person appointment.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
The state of North Carolina is providing additional assistance for individuals who are unemployed as a result of Hurricane Helene.
The deadline for application was extended to Monday, March 10th.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- No longer have the job that provided their primary source of income.
- Are unable to reach their place of employment.
- Cannot work because of an injury caused by the storm.
- Were unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm.
- Have become the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.
How to apply
Applicants can apply online or by calling 919-629-3857.
