CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Following a federal major disaster declaration from President Joe Biden, assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now available to residents in 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Homeowners and renters in the following counties are eligible to apply for FEMA help: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday that more than 57,000 people have applied for FEMA individual aid and said some have already received funds to begin repairing their homes and property.
FEMA funding can be used to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary housing, basic home repair costs, personal property loss and other disaster-caused needs.
There are multiple ways to apply for FEMA assistance in North Carolina for Hurricane Helene recovery.
How to apply
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Click on your county, provide your ZIP code or state and city, and select the disaster that affected you
- Provide details about your needs, including property damage, emergency needs and additional expenses
- Create an account or sign in to Login.gov
- Revisit the DisasterAssistance.gov website to submit your application to FEMA
- The FEMA app
- The FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362
- The helpline is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The line is open every day and help is available in multiple languages.
FEMA's disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, the agency has implied the process and expanded eligibility that allows North Carolinians impacted by Helene a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
What you need to apply for FEMA aid
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent/company name.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster needs, you may be eligible for federal assistance.