I-TEAM: Some say FEMA aid isn’t coming fast enough
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More counties are being added to the list of eligible counties for FEMA assistance.
Aiken County was one of the first to become eligible on Sept. 29.
But two weeks later, some people are still waiting for FEMA to approve their applications.
Our I-TEAM found communication problems continue to delay getting people’s help.
You can’t apply online for FEMA assistance without power or internet, so many couldn’t apply right away.
But even people who did find wi-fi are still waiting – 14 days after the hurricane hit.
“Get to payday, get to payday,” said Loree Roberts.
Augusta groups see growing need for help weeks after Helene
We’ve visited several distribution sites across Augusta this week, and on Thursday, we were at the HUB.
No food, no power, no money.
“Stuff that got thrown out, well except the cans. See that’s food that got thrown out of the refrigerator,” said Roberts.
Roberts applied for FEMA assistance right after the hurricane tore a hole in the ceiling of her trailer.
“The only options you have on the FEMA site are essentials and housing. I was still pretty good on essentials on day three,” she said.
But on day 10 without power, she said, “Nobody can afford that. I am a paycheck-to-paycheck person.”
She was so desperate that she spent the little gas she had to go to Aiken so that she could talk face-to-face with FEMA.
“I said, ‘Well I don’t have access to a printer, do you?’ She said, ‘No. FEMA doesn’t have a printer,’” said Roberts.
The representative told her she needed a copy of an email from FEMA to amend her application in order for her to get $750 to help with gas and food.
Helene cleanup in CSRA: How long will it take?
Cleanup crews are already out and beginning to chip away at the massive debris project left by Hurricane Helene.
“I don’t believe it’s coming,” said Roberts.
Roberts’ doctor helped her print off the document, but she is still waiting.
Liz: “Have you gotten that help?”
Roberts: “From FEMA? No. You know what, the Salvation Army has been feeding us, so I have been going down there to get my meals but no.”
Her community, not the government, is helping her survive each day until payday.
Hurricane Helene survivors have 60 days from the date of the emergency declaration to apply for FEMA assistance.
The declaration was made in Aiken County on September 29, which means the deadline to apply is only 19 days away.
You can appeal a denial later as long as you applied for assistance within the 60 day deadline.
Who’s eligible?
Georgia: Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren and Washington counties.
South Carolina: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick, Orangeburg and Saluda counties.
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