Latest on Helene recovery: Disaster unemployment assistance available, how to apply

Editor's Note: This story will be continuously updated.

With thousands of people without power since Hurricane Helene landed in South Carolina on Sept. 27, many in the Upstate seek help with necessities. Others are in better positions today and wondering how to help.

Here are places to get and give help in the Upstate:

Where to take your trash in Spartanburg County

According to a social media post by Spartanburg County, the Wellford Landfill is open, accepting household waste (7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday).

All but one of the recycling centers are back open (7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Saturday):

- Station 1 - Roebuck (255 Quartermile Road, Roebuck)

- Station 2 - Valley Falls (8278 Valley Falls Road, Boiling Springs)

- Station 3 - Cowpens (109 Cowpens-Clifton Road, Cowpens)

- Station 4 - Berry's Pond (355 Tucapau Road, Duncan)

- Station 5 - Dexter Road (50 Dexter Road, Spartanburg)

- Station 6 - New Prospect (1650 Edwards Road, Inman)

- Station 7 - Mayo (1835 Sandy Ford Road, Chesnee)

- Station 9 - Hwy 357 (1355 Hwy 357, Lyman)

- Station 10 - Campobello (645 Runion Road, Campobello)

- Station 11 - Wofford Road (150 Wofford Road, Woodruff)

- Station 12 - Cooley Springs (390 Sulphur Springs Road, Chesnee)

- Station 13 - Pauline (5584 Hwy 56, Pauline)

- Station 14 - Hobbysville (1493 Kilgore Bridge Road, Woodruff)

- Station 15 - Enoree (3080 Hwy 92, Enoree)

- Station 16 - Wellford (591 Little Mountain Road, Wellford)

- Station 17 - Stone Station (185 Gowens Road, Spartanburg)

The only remaining station that is still closed is Station 8 - White Stone, and that is due to lack of power and equipment repairs.

Pacolet looking for those still without power

In a social media post, the Town of Pacolet wrote: "We're working with Lockhart Power Company to zero in on those still without power. Please let us know what streets are still without power and PM us your address so that we can get crews there ASAP."

Disaster Unemployment assistance available

South Carolina Gov. McMaster and S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd have announced that individuals living or working in Abbeville, Allendale, Hampton, Jasper, McCormick, Richland, and York counties, as well as the Catawba Indian Nation, now may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) funds made available through the unemployment insurance benefits system.

These additions now bring the total list of eligible counties up to 23. The list of previously announced areas and the new counties include Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties, as well as the Catawba Indian Nation, have been identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as being potentially eligible to receive DUA for the period of September 29, 2024, through April 5, 2025.

The DUA program provides funds to assist people who became unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, the effects of which began September 25, 2024. DUA is also available to small business owners and the self-employed, including 1099 contract workers who have lost personal income due to the disaster.

If you lost work or were unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, then please go to the MyBenefits Portal to apply for unemployment insurance and determine your eligibility for DUA. You can also visit dew.sc.gov and click the MyBenefits Login in the first circle of the homepage to apply through the unemployment insurance benefits system. For help, please call 1-866-831-1724.

The deadline to apply for DUA benefits for the most recently added areas of Abbeville, Allendale, Hampton, Jasper, McCormick, Richland, and York counties, as well as the Catawba Indian Nation, is Monday, December 9, 2024 .

Please note that all other counties previously listed still have an application deadline of Monday, December 2, 2024.

Any DUA applications filed after the deadline will be considered untimely and benefits may be denied. Applicants must submit proof of their employment and other documentation to support the claim that they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. You can upload any documents required in your MyBenefits Portal account under the Documents tab.

Workers or business owners in the eligible counties who meet the following criteria may be eligible to receive a minimum of $150 and up to a maximum of $326 per week in DUA benefits:

• Individuals who are unemployed due to the disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
• Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster.
• Individuals prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
• Individuals who have become the major supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death or injury of the previous major supplier of household income.
• Individuals who cannot reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
• Individuals who were to commence employment or self-employment but were prevented by the disaster.

SCDOR issues tax relief due to Hurricane Helene

​​ The SCDOR is granting relief to South Carolina taxpayers in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Several returns and payments originally due between September 25, 2024, and May 1, 2025, are now due May 1, 2025.

This tax relief applies to all 46 South Carolina counties and follows the IRS' decision to issue relief due to the storm's effects.

This week's Music Sandwiched In canceled due to Helene

The Bluegrass Spartanburg Committee Band scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9 has been canceled due to the events surrounding Hurricane Helene. Spartanburg County Public Libraries have canceled all events, including Music Sandwiched In, for the week of Oct. 6-13.

Music Sandwiched In will return on Oct. 23.

Texas Roadhouse locations to host fundraisers

On Wednesday, October 9, 10 Texas Roadhouse locations in South Carolina and south Georgia will host fundraisers to benefit the families impacted by the devasting flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The restaurants will donate 100% of the night’s profits to the ONE SC Fund https://www.yourfoundation.org/impact-initiatives/one-sc-fund/ and the USO for Fort Eisenhower https://georgia.uso.org/forteisenhower

The fundraiser is Wednesday, October 9, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse locations in Anderson, Greenville, and Spartanburg.

Spartanburg Humane Society still without phone service

Spartanburg Humane Society is only open for lost dog walk-throughs from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

"We are not open for intake. We are operating way beyond our max capacity and are overfull," the Spartanburg Humane Society wrote in a social media post.

"Our staff are working diligently and tirelessly to be able to open later this week for adoptions, but we are currently unable to do so. We do not have access to our phone system."

Are you eligible for assistance from FEMA?

According to a social media post from Greenville County Emergency Management, residents who experienced uninsured damage or losses due to the hurricane can apply for Individual Assistance through FEMA.

This aid can help address needs, including:

• Displacement and temporary lodging

• Basic home repair costs

• Personal property loss

• Other disaster-related needs

How to apply for assistance: The quickest way to apply for FEMA assistance is to visit DisasterAssistance.gov. Applications can also be submitted via the FEMA app or by calling toll-free at 800-621-3362. The phone line is open daily, and assistance is available in multiple languages. Residents using a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS) or a captioned telephone, should provide FEMA with their service number when registering.

What residents need when they apply:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted

• Your address at the time of the disaster and your current address

• Your social security number

• A general list of damage and losses

• Banking information if you choose direct deposit

• If insured, your policy number or the name of your agent/company

If you have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, you should file a claim immediately. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, but federal assistance may still be available if the insurance does not cover all disaster-related expenses. Individual assistance is not intended to cover all home repair expenses and has limits depending on the level of damage and insurance coverage available.

FEMA is fielding Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams in IA-declared counties to help survivors register. In the coming week or so, FEMA will open at least one Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in each IA-declared county. FEMA is currently reviewing DRC location options with county emergency management where IA is available.

Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans also will be available to residents and businesses in IA-declared counties. Application for SBA loans is via the SBA website: https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=SC-20012

Duke Energy says turn your porch light on

Duke Energy crews have asked residents to turn their porch lights on to expedite sweeps and confirm electricity flow to homes.

If you have power at your house, turn your porch light on so Duke crews can verify without taking extra time to check meters.

Spartanburg working on storm debris collection efforts

Spartanburg County is working with DRC Emergency Services to begin storm debris collection efforts this week, according to a social media post by Spartanburg County.

The county is asking all residents to place all vegetative and woody debris on the curb/edge of their property, within 10 feet of the road (not in the roadway), and away from mailboxes, fire hydrants, utilities, and standing trees.

Do not place debris in bags. They will not be able to collect bagged material.

There is no limit on the size or weight of the debris.

This service will be provided to all county residents, no matter where they live. They will work with municipalities and visit every community, neighborhood, and road in Spartanburg County.

The county estimates roughly half a million cubic yards of debris, which they expect to pick up and haul off in the coming months. They will make multiple passes on each road until it is cleared.

Help with insurance claims related to Helena

The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SC DOI) and insurance carriers are offering consumers assistance and remote claims services on Wednesday, October 9, in Spartanburg County.

An Insurance Claims Village will be held Wednesday, October 9, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Boiling Springs First Baptist Church, 3600 Boiling Springs Road, Boiling Springs.

Representatives from major insurance companies, including USAA, State Farm, Allstate, South Carolina FarmBureau Insurance Company, Auto-Owners, Travelers, Selective, Progressive and others will be in attendancealong with members of the SC DOI’s Office of Consumer Services to help consumers file claims and answerinsurance-related questions.

The SC DOI’s Insurance Fraud Division will share information to help consumers prevent being scammed bybad actors who often show up after a disaster.

Consumers are encouraged to contact the South Carolina Department of Insurance’s Office of ConsumerServices at 803-737-6180 or visit doi.sc.gov for more information and for helpful tips on navigating the claimsprocess.

Flood insurance policyholders should contact their agent or the NFIP directly to report flood claims at1-800-427-4219 or visit www.floodsmart.gov for additional information on the NFIP claim process. Suspectedinsurance fraud should be reported to 1-888-95-FRAUD.

What to do with your tree debris in Greenville?

Trash, recycling, and bulk waste pickup are scheduled regularly, according to a post on the City of Greenville website.

Debris should be placed curbside without blocking the roadway or storm drains. Crews cannot pick up debris from the sidewalk or on your property.

Please separate debris into two distinct categories:

- Vegetative waste (branches, limbs, stumps)

- Appliances & furniture

--Construction and demolition debris cannot be collected and must be taken to a residential waste center.

Do not stack or lean debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures, including fire hydrants and meters.

Electronics are not collected curbside. The next e-waste recycling day is November 16.

If your house doesn't have a sidewalk or ditch in front of it, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.

Questions? Please get in touch with Greenville Cares at 864-232-CARE (2273).

We are also receiving many questions in our comments. We are working on answers to the following:

1. What are you going to do with all the tree debris?

2. Is there a way to find out when they will be in my neighborhood?

3. If there are trees downed on city land around our house, who should we contact to have those removed?

Click here for a guide to debris disposal.

Places to help out in the Upstate after Hurricane Helene

Greenville Humane Society is in need of monetary donations after taking in dozens of pets from Asheville Humane Society. Donations can be made online or by mail with checks made payable to Greenville Humane Society and mailed to 305 Airport Road, Greenville, SC 29607.

United Way of Anderson County has set up an online donation fund .

United Way of the Piedmont has set up an online donation fund.

United Way of Greenville County has started a relief fund for those affected by the hurricane to help individuals and families struggling to access necessities. Donations can be made online at unitedwaygc.org or by mail to United Way of Greenville County, 105 Edinburgh Court, Greenville, SC 29607 made payable to UWGC Community Relief Fund.

Spartanburg County Foundation has set up a Spartanburg County Relief Fund that can be donated to online at bit.ly/SPCFRelief or by mail or in-person at 424 E. Kennedy St., Spartanburg, SC 29302 with checks made payable to Spartanburg County Disaster Relief Fund.

Spartanburg Humane Society: President and CEO Angel Cox said Sunday that the shelter has partial power and hopes to have full power restored soon and hope to resume adoption services soon. However, they are low on supplies.

Spartanburg Humane Society needs cat food, dog food, cat litter, and newspapers. Supplies can be delivered to 150 Dexter Rd. in Spartanburg.

Samantha Swann covers city news, development and culture in Spartanburg. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sam_on_spartanburg.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Latest on Helene recovery: Disaster unemployment assistance available, how to apply