GREENSBORO, N.C. — The posts about FEMA giving Helene disaster victims $750 and only $750 are false.
First, let's go to the source. On the FEMA Facebook page, there are several FEMA workers on video:
There's a rumor out there that FEMA is providing survivors only $750. This is not true. One type of assistance provides survivors is for essentials like baby formula, food, water, and other essential supplies.
There are a lot of folks out there who will say, 'Of course, FEMA is going to say that.'
2 Wants To Know talked to a Florida lawyer who is a storm insurance expert.
"The $750 truly is the beginning. The concept behind it is, that it is an immediate check out to someone so that they can go and purchase the things necessary. So they're not just living with wet clothes on their back and, and no food in the home, but by no means is the, is the $750 the individual cap," said Robert Guinn, Partner with Cole Scott & Kissane.
The FEMA cap for each individual is $42,500 to repair or replace their home. But the list of FEMA assistance for North Carolina is long and includes money to rent a new place, or stay in a hotel, to help with medical bills, money for child care, and moving and storage, among other things.
2 Wants To Know talked with a member of the FEMA incident management assistance team about how the processes work. Instead of FEMA being the point agency, it's the state and the counties that tell FEMA what supplies and needs they have. FEMA is setting up inside shelters to help folks fill out the damage paperwork.