One Week Left for North Carolina Survivors to Apply to FEMA

Just a few days remain for you to apply for disaster assistance grants from FEMA following the flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew Oct. 4-24, 2016.

You have until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 to file for federal assistance and to submit applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If you feel confused about the next step in your recovery, like finding housing or understanding what documents you may need to have on hand, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA has made it a priority to reach all survivors who need help, including people with disabilities and/or access and functional needs, senior citizens and people with limited English proficiency. So if you have a neighbor or friend who needs help but hasn’t registered yet, please encourage them to do so.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if you have registered with another    disaster-relief organization such as the American Red Cross, or local community or church organization. You must use the name that appears on your Social Security card.

Don’t wait any longer. You may think you are not eligible for federal or state funding, but FEMA can work with you to help determine whether you could receive some form of assistance. Rebuilding takes time and it may give you peace of mind to know there is help available.

Your insurance may not cover all your losses; FEMA may be able to help pay for what insurance doesn’t cover. But you won’t know unless you register.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs to make your home habitable, and for other disaster-related needs. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare or other federal benefits.

Here’s how to register:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
• Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

Three FEMA/North Carolina Emergency Management Disaster Recovery Centers remain open. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. DRCs are closed Sundays. Here are the locations:

At the DRCs FEMA representatives can help you register, answer questions and update your information. SBA representatives also are available to answer any questions you may have about obtaining a low-interest disaster loan.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  TTY users may call 800-877-8339. You may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The deadline to file an SBA physical disaster loan application is also Monday, Jan. 23.

Once you have registered with FEMA, stay in touch. If you change your address or phone number you should let FEMA know. Missing or wrong information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance.

For more information on North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.

###

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 or 888-892-1162 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 or 877-511-4662 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.