Disaster Recovery - Pisgah Legal Services

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 issues, including continuing rental assistance and evictions from FEMA temporary housing
Renew NC appeals and review of/advice on contracts
Eviction prevention & housing rights
Mortgage issues & foreclosure prevention
Insurance and contractor problems
Debt, fraud, and scams
Other disaster-related issues

Apply online for our services, or call us at (828) 253-0406
or toll free 1-800-489-6144.

View our Disaster Recovery Flyer in English/Spanish for more information.

Learn more about the lasting impacts of disaster that require legal help: Legal Needs After a Disaster

IMPORTANT UPDATES

FEMA-Provided Housing and Rental Assistance Extension

FEMA has approved six-month extensions (through September 30, 2026) for FEMA-provided housing and rental assistance for survivors of Hurricane Helene.

These extensions provide survivors with additional time to complete repairs to damaged homes, finalize insurance settlements, or secure permanent housing.

Eligible residents may continue to live in FEMA-provided temporary housing, on a month-to-month basis, but must begin paying monthly rent after March 29, 2026. Eligible applicants for rental assistance must continue to submit monthly updates for eligibility.

Recipients of FEMA assistance who have questions about how these extensions might affect their current status should contact FEMA directly at 1 (800) 621-3362.

For more information about the extension and rental rates, view FEMA’s press release here: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260316/fema-approves-six-month-extension-direct-housing-and-rental-assistance

For additional guidance, contact Pisgah Legal at 828-253-0406 or apply online: pisgahlegal.org/

UPCOMING DISASTER RECOVERY EVENTS

Check back for more soon!

DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES

Search by Category:
Housing and Shelter Assistance
FEMA
Insurance Help
Financial Help
Case Management and Navigation
Infrastructure
Health and Other Resources

Disaster Recovery Assistance

HOUSING AND SHELTER ASSISTANCE

- Tenant/Renters Rights

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Guidance for Tenants Dealing with Mold

Dealing with Mold in a Rental Unit

North Carolina Tenants’ Rights: Evictions and Repairs Myth vs. Fact and FAQs

What You Need to Know About Evictions and Repairs (English) and Spanish

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.

- Foreclosure Prevention

Foreclosure Prevention Steps you can take now to help keep your home:

- - - - Communicate proactively with your lender
        
        Document everything
        
        Ask for a Loss Mitigation Application
        
        Reach out to an attorney
        
        Beware of foreclosure recovery scams

View our flyer for more information

- 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

- 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.

- FEMA Appeals

Self-Help Materials for FEMA Serious Needs Assistance ($750) Appeals

Guidance on How to File FEMA 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 icon

INSURANCE HELP

- 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 icon

FINANCIAL HELP

- 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

Watch a recording about Tax Issues for Helene Survivors

- 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.

- 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 icon

CASE MANAGEMENT AND NAVIGATION

- 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.

- Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC)

FEMA disaster recovery centers (DRC’s) in WNC are now locally operated resource centers. The centers still open are:

- - - Avery MARC
      Mayland Community College – Avery Campus
      785 Cranberry St, Newland
      Open Tuesdays | 9am – 4pm
    - Buncombe MARC
      Helene Resource Center
      200 College St, Asheville
      Open by appointment only – call 828-250-6100

- Disaster Recovery Partnership – Henderson County

The Henderson County Disaster Recovery Partnership is a one-stop place to find help as you work to recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene and any other natural disasters that affect Henderson County. Residents who have recovery needs can fill out the Assistance Request Form to be connected to a local disaster case manager who will work one-on-one with them to help resolve their needs.

Infrastructure Icon