Pisgah Legal Services is here to help the people of our mountain region recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene.
We have been active in disaster recovery since immediately after the storm, assisting our neighbors throughout Western North Carolina with disaster-related issues. Pisgah Legal continues to provide disaster recovery legal help on these issues and more:
- FEMA appeals
- Eviction prevention & housing rights
- Mortgage issues & foreclosure prevention
- Homeowners insurance denials & disputes
- Consumer protection against frauds and scams
- Tax return preparation & tax disputes.
Apply online for our services, or call us at (828) 253-0406 or toll free 1-800-489-6144.
UPCOMING DISASTER RECOVERY EVENTS
Mitchell County Ask A Lawyer Clinic
August 14, 2025 | 4pm – 7pm
Mitchell Senior Citizens Center
152 Ledger School Road, Bakersville, NC 28705
Have you been denied by FEMA? We may be able to help!
Visit the clinic for a FREE consultation with an attorney on FEMA claims and appeals, insurance issues, housing issues for tenants and homeowners, avoiding fraud and scams, debt, and other concerns. All services are confidential, and interpreters are available.
If you need legal help before the clinic, please call Pisgah Legal Services at 828-253-0406 or the Disaster Legal Services Hotline at 866-219-5262
In partnership with Legal Aid of NC and My Mountain Recovery.
View the flyer in English and Spanish for more information and to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome!
Yancey County Disaster Recovery Resource Fairs
The Yancey Long Term Recovery Group and its partners have planned Disaster Recovery Resource Fairs in four local communities in August and September:
| Thursday, August 7 | 4pm – 7pm Bee Log Baptist Church 22 Bee Log Road |
Thursday, August 21 | 4pm – 7pm Bald Creek Relief 100 Bald Creek School Road |
| Thursday, August 28 | 4pm – 7pm Double Island Fire Department 5360 Double Island Road |
Thursday, September 11 | 4pm – 7pm Pensacola Free Will Baptist Church 10117 NC-197 |
Visit the Resource Fairs page for event details.
Ask A Lawyer – WNC Disaster Recovery Hotline
Wednesday, August 27
12pm – 6pm
828-418-6969
- You can call anonymously.
- All calls are confidential.
- Help is FREE.
Even nearly a year after the storm, many families are still waiting for answers. It’s not too late to still get help!
View the Hotline page for event details.
DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES
Search by Category:
Housing and Shelter Assistance
FEMA
Insurance Help
Financial Help
Case Management and Navigation
Infrastructure
Health and Other Resources
HOUSING AND SHELTER ASSISTANCE
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- Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program Now Accepting Applications for Home Repair and Rebuild
Renew NC is now accepting applications to help homeowners in WNC repair or rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene.
To be eligible, homeowners must:
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- Live in an eligible WNC county or zip code
- Have owned and lived in the home as their primary residence at the time of the storm
- Still own the home and agree to live there for at least 3 more years
- Meet income eligibility
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Anyone who thinks they may qualify is encouraged to apply. Trained case managers are available to help every step of the way. Call 888-791-0207 or visit RenewNC.org
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- Tenant/Renters Rights
What You Need to Know About Evictions and Repairs (English) and Spanish
BPR Interview with PLS Housing Attorney David Bartholomew
You can apply for and appeal denials for ongoing rental assistance through FEMA. For help with FEMA Appeals – Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.
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- Mortgage Issues and Foreclosure Prevention
Steps you can take now to help keep your home:
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- Communicate proactively with your lender
- Document everything
- Ask for a Loss Mitigation Application
- Reach out to an attorney
- Beware of foreclosure recovery scams
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View our flyer for more information
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- Avoiding Consumer Scams
Avoiding Scams and Frauds Flyer (English) and Spanish
VIDEO: Protecting Yourself from Scams After Helene
VIDEO: Protecting Yourself from Title and Deed Scams
FEMA
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- FEMA Application Assistance
The official FEMA initial application period has concluded. Pending applications and appeals are not affected. In addition, if you were unable to apply for FEMA during the application period due to disruptions caused by Helene (of any kind), you should call FEMA and request an exemption from the application deadline. Click here for more information about applying for FEMA aid.
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- FEMA Appeals
Self-Help Materials for FEMA Serious Needs Assistance ($750) Appeals
More Complex FEMA Appeals (home/property damage, housing assistance, ongoing rental assistance, etc.) – Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.
INSURANCE HELP
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- Insurance Claims
Insurance Claims and Appeals Flyer (English) and Spanish
Need help with a Homeowner Insurance Denial or Dispute? Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.
Seek assistance or file a complaint with the NC Department of Insurance
FINANCIAL HELP
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- Important Tax Information
- Important Tax Information
IRS further postpones various tax deadlines to Sept. 25 for North Carolina storm victims
Disaster & Taxes: What You Need to Know – View Booklet
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- Disaster Unemployment Benefits
- Disaster Unemployment Benefits
The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Benefits has passed. For appeals of Disaster Unemployment Benefits denials, call the Disaster Legal Aid Hotline at Legal Aid of NC: 866.219.5262.
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- Faith-based Organizations
There are many local faith-based organizations that may be able to pay bills or provide financial support, such as ABCCM’s Faith360 Network
CASE MANAGEMENT AND NAVIGATION
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- NC Disaster Case Management
NC Disaster Case Managers can help you make a recovery plan, find available resources, and walk through challenges caused by Helene. Fill out the NC-DCM survey online or call 844-746-2326 to describe your needs.
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- Multi-Agency Resource Centers
FEMA disaster recovery centers (DRC’s) in WNC are now locally operated resource centers. The centers operate Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, except the Mitchell County center is only open on Wednesdays. Click here for a list of locations.
INFRASTRUCTURE
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- Help with Roads & Bridges
NC Department of Public Safety – Tropical Storm Helene Private Road and Bridge Program
Recovery priorities and progress – Governor’s Recovery Office for WNC
HEALTH AND OTHER RESOURCES
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- Health Insurance
- Health Insurance
Healthcare.gov/ACA and Medicaid
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- NC 211
Dial 2-1-1 or visit online to get connected with resources
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- Hope4NC Helpline
- Hope4NC Helpline
Call 1-855-587-3463 or visit online to get connected with resources.
SUPPORT THIS WORK
- Spread the Word – Click here for a printable flyer about Pisgah Legal’s Disaster Recovery services.
Pisgah Legal Services is working in partnership with Legal Aid of NC and is sharing content and resources.
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