Disaster Recovery

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.

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 

FEMA disaster recovery centers (DRC’s) in WNC are now locally operated resource centers.  The centers operate Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, except the Yancey County center is open on weekdays from 10am – 6pm. Click here for a list of locations.  

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

More Complex FEMA Appeals (home/property damage, housing assistance, etc.)  – Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.

Insurance Claims – Insurance Claims and Appeals (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

Important Tax Information

IRS further postpones various tax deadlines to Sept. 25 for North Carolina storm victims 

Qualified Disaster Loss Deduction Flyer

Tenants/Renters Rights – What You Need to Know About Evictions and Repairs (English) and Spanish

• BPR Interview with PLS Housing Attorney David Bartholomew

Avoiding Consumer Scams – Avoiding Scams and Frauds (English) and Spanish

• VIDEO: Protecting Yourself from Scams After Helene
• VIDEO: Protecting Yourself from Title and Deed Scams 

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. 

Help with Roads & Bridges

Health Insurance through Healthcare.gov/ACA and Medicaid

NC 211 – Call or visit online to get connected with resources.

Hope4NC Helpline – 1.855.587.3463

• Trained crisis outreach workers are available to link survivors with resources that assist in recovery and rebuilding, help with disaster preparedness, and to offer emotional and educational support.

SUPPORT THIS WORK

Pisgah Legal’s Hurricane Recovery Fund

Ways to Give

Volunteering

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.