COLUMBIA, S.C. — Some social media platforms are swirling with rumors regarding FEMA assistance in the wake of Hurricane Helene. FEMA spokesperson Tiana Suber says there are three straightforward ways to apply for assistance.
"You can go on disaster assistance.gov, you can call the hotline at 1-800-621-3362, or you can go on the FEMA mobile app,” she said.
As FEMA officers make their way into the Midlands for hurricane and disaster relief, they say residents applying for funding should know the following.
“If you do call us, we would like to have some documentation, including your identification, social security number, where you were living at the time of the disaster, whether you have insurance, you know things like that that we need to identify you, to give you a registration number, and to proceed with that application process,” Suber said.
FEMA officials say they will reach out to you to set an appointment to visit your home for an inspection.
“Once you have that inspection, it will go to a case manager, and then in a week or so, maybe less than that, and you'll get something in the mail stating that you are eligible for the grants that you that you were eligible for,” Suber said.
The agency says you can also receive a determination letter, if you do they recommend to keep it for your records.
“The common reasons for getting a determination letter is insurance. If you don't have your insurance claim, FEMA can't duplicate that insurance, so we'll be waiting on your insurance claim. Sometimes there is a missing number or an incorrect number in your social security or your address, anything like that that could be missing. Some documentation, anything that proves that you have the damages in your home, things like that that might be missing that you would get a determination letter, and the important part is just not to give up on that process. Once you receive a letter, it's almost never a finality. “ Suber said.
FEMA is also shutting down rumors saying they will only offer $750 to applicants.
“$750 is for serious needs assistance. These are for your immediate needs. It's an emergency, you need medicine, you need diapers, you need formula, whatever it is that you need that's what the $750 for," Suber said. "You can still be eligible for home repairs or rental assistance or temporary housing if you've been displaced. It's not just a one and done $750."
FEMA officials say if you believe you are eligible for more funding, you can contact them to file an appeal. They want everyone to have access to resources available to them. FEMA says there is no deadline for when to submit your application.
Counties eligible for funding in the Midlands are:Lexington, Newberry, Richland and Saluda.
FEMA said the quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. People can also apply using the FEMA app for mobile devices or call toll-free at 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open daily, and help is available in most languages. Give FEMA your number if you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or another service. People can view an accessible video on how to apply on FEMA's YouTube page.
