FEMA just announced assistance is available in SC after Helene. Here’s how to apply

After Hurricane Helene battered 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 move comes after President Joseph Biden approved Gov. Henry McMaster’s disaster declaration request for the state.

Eligibility for assistance varies based on the location and type of recipient.

The Individual Assistance program, which provides financial assistance through temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other services, is available to residents and business owners who sustained uninsured property damage from the storm in:

• Aiken County

• Anderson County

• Bamberg County

• Barnwell County

• Cherokee County

• Greenville County

• Greenwood County

• Lexington County

• Newberry County

• Oconee County

• Pickens County

• Saluda County

• Spartanburg County

Individuals and business owners in these counties who sustained 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 give FEMA the number for the service to get assistance.

According to FEMA, assistance is determined by comparing applicants’ losses and needs to the available programs and services. After applying, you can review your application and get information about next steps on the FEMA website.

If you’re approved for assistance, an inspector may schedule an inspection. While inspectors don’t generally need pictures of damage sustained or receipts for repairs, it’s a good idea to document your losses with photographs and lists and save receipts for disaster-related expenses if you plan to start cleaning up before the inspection.

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Federal funding for emergency work is available through the Public Assistance program to the state government, tribal and eligible local governments, as well as some private nonprofits in all of the aforementioned counties, except Lexington. Those counties include:

• Aiken County

• Anderson County

• Bamberg County

• Barnwell County

• Cherokee County

• Greenville County

• Greenwood County

• Newberry County

• Oconee County

• Pickens County

• Saluda County

• Spartanburg County

These entities can apply for federal funding to pay 75% of approved costs, with the division of the remaining 25% determined at a later date.

Death toll hits 31, making Helene one of SC’s deadliest storms in recent history