All North Carolina disaster survivors, including people with disabilities, can access resources at State/FEMA disaster recovery centers, or DRCs. DRCs help survivors apply for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications. You can find the closest DRC by going online at www.fema.gov/drc. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Resources and Services available at DRCs
All DRCs are physically accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors’ needs.
Every disaster survivor has equal access to disaster information and assistance:
- All DRCs offer effective communication options, including captioned phones, iPads with video remote interpreting, assistive listening devices, magnifiers and onsite American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters upon request.
- Both Braille and Large Print FEMA documents are available.
- If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability, please notify FEMA staff at the time of registration or anytime during the assistance process.
- If you require a reasonable accommodation (ASL interpreting, Braille large print, etc.) while visiting a DRC, call the appropriate Helpline number for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.
Additional Services available
- Accessible parking, ramps and restrooms are available to survivors.
- If survivors cannot transport themselves to a DRC, FEMA will arrange a home visit. Call the FEMA Helpline to request assistance at 800-621-3362.
Survivors may also register for assistance in the following ways:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.
Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNC mobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.