Applying for FEMA Assistance after Tropical Storm Helene
Free Walk-in Clinics Monday, October 7, 2024.
10am – 4pm at Pisgah Legal offices in Asheville (62 Charlotte St) and Hendersonville (440 S. Church St). No appointments needed. Everyone welcome.
Pisgah Legal Services will provide free in-person assistance to apply for FEMA assistance to people in Western North Carolina. Pisgah Legal is teaming up with other local community partners to bring in resources such as water to distribute at the Asheville location.
President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance that is available for survivors in designated counties in North Carolina. Survivors may apply for assistance in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App.
Survivors may receive upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
What is Needed to Fill Out a FEMA Application
(Please bring what you can. We realize you may not have access to all your documents.)
1. Social Security Number/Card (SSN) – Use yours OR the SSN of a qualified minor child.
Minor child must live in the household and be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen.
The applicant or co-applicant must be the parent or guardian of the minor child.
To qualify for FEMA Assistance, the person named here as the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen. If you need to apply under a qualified minor child who lives in your household, you must enter the child’s information as the applicant.
2. Annual Household Income – Include your household’s pre-disaster income before you deduct anything.
3. Contact Information – Include your phone number; home address at the time of the disaster; and current mailing and email addresses.
If you use a video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone (CTS), or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
4. Insurance Information/Policies – Include the type(s) of coverage and insurance company name(s). If you can access it,
If you don’t have insurance information right now, you can come back and add it later.
5. Bank Account Information – Include the name of your bank or financial company and your routing and account numbers.
If you qualify for assistance, we can deposit the money directly into your account. You don’t need to have a bank account to get assistance.
6. Proof of residence and/or ownership – Utility bill, copy of deed, etc.
Helpful Tips for Applying for FEMA
You can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by telephone at (800) 621-3362. Otherwise, you can download the FEMA weather app from Google Play Store or the Apple Store and you can apply for assistance on the app and upload receipts.
Whichever method you choose, the form has a few questions that are tricky. To avoid delay, please follow these tips:
1. One of the questions that FEMA will ask when you register is “Do You Have Emergency Needs?”
This means during your evacuation or since staying at home during the disaster, do you need help with Gas, Medication, Food (meals, water, had no power and everything spoils), Shelter (you are staying with friends, family or in a hotel); Clothing; or Durable Medical Equipment (oxygen, walkers, cane, glasses, all major equipment, etc.)
If this is true, say “YES” to this question. That will result in your receiving Displacement / Critical Needs Assistance, which is $750.
2. When asked if your home is/was accessible, answer “NO” if there was debris, tree branches, continued flooding, loss of power, damage or destruction that prevented you from staying there after Helene.
This question is asking whether you can stay at your home or apartment and will trigger the ability for you to receive assistance to pay for hotels or provide funding to use while you stay with family or friends.
3. When asked if utilities are out, say “YES” if you incurred costs due to a utility outage, even if your utilities have since been turned back on.
This allows you to receive reimbursement for costs such as generator fuel or motel expenses.
4. When asked “Are you willing to relocate” say “YES” if you cannot live in your home due to damage, loss of power, etc. This question means you are willing to stay in a hotel or apartment temporarily, and triggers that funding for you.
It is not asking if you are willing to move away from your home permanently.
5. If you bought or buy a generator, FEMA will reimburse you up to $629, but you must submit the receipt. If you bought a chainsaw, FEMA will reimburse you up to $219.
Again, you need to provide the receipt. Save your receipts.
Helpful Information/Flyers
FEMA – Information for Undocumented Immigrants
Special thanks to LANC for sharing content.