Beaufort County Residents Can Now Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
Residents of Beaufort County, we have some important news for you! If you experienced any uninsured damage or losses due to the recent Hurricane Helene, you are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to a news release from FEMA on October 11, this assistance can help you get back on your feet after the storm.
What Kind of Help is Available?
So, what exactly can FEMA assist you with? They may be able to help with a range of needs including:
- Serious needs that arose because of the disaster
- Displacement due to damage to your home
- Temporary lodging while you sort things out
- Basic home repair costs to fix up your space
- Personal property loss and other needs caused by the hurricane
But hold on—Beaufort County isn’t alone in this. FEMA has also extended this assistance to neighboring Fairfield County, along with a total of 22 other counties including Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, and more. Even our friends from the Catawba Indian Nation are eligible, which is fantastic!
How Can You Apply for Assistance?
If you’re in Beaufort County and thinking, “How do I get started?” don’t worry; it’s quite simple! You have a few ways to apply for FEMA assistance:
- Head over to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the handy FEMA App right on your phone.
- Give them a call at 800-621-3362. If you use relay services, make sure to share your number for that service with them.
- Stop by any local Disaster Recovery Center. You can visit fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” along with your Zip Code to 43362 to find out where the centers are and their hours.
For those who might have disabilities or other specific needs, you’ll be glad to know FEMA makes sure their programs are accessible for everyone.
What Will You Need to Apply?
If you’re ready to start your application, here’s what you’ll need:
- A current phone number where you can be reached.
- Your address before the hurricane and where you are staying now.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of the damage and losses you’ve faced.
- Your banking information if you’d like to get direct deposits.
- If you have insurance, your policy number or the agent and/or company name.
Speaking of insurance, if you have homeowners, renters’, or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as you can. FEMA can’t duplicate benefits for losses that your insurance might cover, but if your insurance doesn’t fully cover your disaster costs, you may still be eligible for federal aid.
Stay Updated on Recovery Efforts
For the latest information about recovery efforts in South Carolina, visit the official FEMA website. And don’t forget, you can also follow them on social media platforms like X and Facebook to stay up to date.
We know these past few weeks haven’t been easy, but there is help available to get you through this tough time. Don’t hesitate to reach out and apply for the assistance you may need. Together, we can help Beaufort County bounce back from Hurricane Helene!
