After Hurricane Helene hit much of the Carolinas, federal recovery assistance is available for some people, governments and nonprofits in South Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday. The measure comes after President Joseph Biden approved Governor Henry McMaster’s disaster declaration request for the state.
Eligibility for assistance depends on location and type of recipient.
The Individual Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance in the form of temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other services, is available to residents and business owners who suffered uninsured property damage from the storm in:
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Aiken County
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Anderson County
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Province of Bamberg
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Barnwell County
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Cherokee County
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Greenville County
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Greenwood County
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Lexington County
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Newberry County
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Oconee County
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Pickens County
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Province of Saluda
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Spartanburg County
Individuals and business owners in these counties who have suffered losses can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA app. Applicants using a relay service can provide FEMA with the service’s number to receive assistance.
According to FEMA, assistance is determined by comparing applicants’ losses and needs with available programs and services. After you apply, you can review your application and get information about next steps on the FEMA website.
If you are approved for assistance, an inspector can schedule an inspection. Although inspectors generally do not require photos of damage incurred or receipts for repairs, it’s a good idea to document your losses with photos and keep lists and receipts for disaster-related expenses if you plan to begin cleanup before the inspection .
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Federal emergency assistance funding is available through the Public Assistance program to state government, tribal and eligible local governments, as well as some private nonprofit organizations in all of the above counties except Lexington. Those provinces include:
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Aiken County
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Anderson County
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Province of Bamberg
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Barnwell County
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Cherokee County
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Greenville County
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Greenwood County
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Newberry County
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Oconee County
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Pickens County
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Province of Saluda
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Spartanburg County
These entities may apply for federal funding to pay 75% of the approved costs, with the distribution of the remaining 25% determined at a later date.
The death toll stands at 27, making Helene one of the deadliest storms in SC in recent memory
