Everything you need to know about applying for FEMA aid
- Federal funds: Hurricane aid nears $2B, including $130M in Georgia
- Fact vs. fiction: A look at the false information around Hurricane Helene
- More help: New FEMA centers open for Helene victims across CSRA
- FEMA aid: Local renters can apply for assistance after Hurricane Helene
- Applying for aid: Assistance won’t affect other benefits, agency says
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - This is the first time people around here have had to deal with FEMA, and it can be confusing.
If you were unable to work after the hurricane, you may wonder what your next step is regarding unemployment assistance.
FEMA Representatives say that is not something they will assist you with, instead that is something the state handles.
Your eligibility is determined through a federally funded program called Disaster Unemployment Assistance, which provides temporary financial to those impacted by a disaster who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
According to the Georgia Department of Labor’s website, Richmond and Columbia counties were amongst the first 11 counties in Georgia to be approved for DUA.
If you are eligible, you could receive up to $365 a week, starting the week of September 29.
How is Helene’s damage affecting renters in Augusta?
The Richmond County Marshal’s Office says they have held off on evictions for the last two weeks so people can get back on their feet. But they say evictions will resume next week.
We tried to reach someone to see if you can get paid back for those weeks, but don’t have an answer on that yet.
Applications must be submitted for Richmond and Columbia counties by December 2.
According to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, Edgefield and Aiken are also eligible for DUA.
That deadline is also December 2.
Their website says workers or business owners who are eligible may receive between $150 and $326 a week.
Does FEMA cover the costs of lost food from power outages?
Not necessarily.
For example, if you lost food as a result of your power going out, and you’re eligible for that one-time payment of $750, which is part of FEMA’s serious needs program, then you may be able to replace some of the food in your home and that’s where that $750 can be used.
By the numbers: FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene
Learn about how many personnel, how much money and what kind of assistance FEMA is sending to the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Do you have to show receipts to get assistance?
FEMA representatives say when you reach out to FEMA, they want you to start the recovery process as quickly as possible.
When you’re starting that recovery process, keep receipts.
Get any information you have with your insurance, document it and take photos. The more information and documentation you have, the stronger your case will be, and it will push your application through quicker and likely get you approved.
Now this all seems like a long and difficult process, and many of you are wondering if Hurricane Milton made this process harder.
“This is what we prepare for. And so, we just want people to know in the state of South Carolina that we are prepared to meet the mission. This is what we signed up for. This is what I signed up for. We have the staff. We have also the funds to help the people of South Carolina and Georgia,” said Nikki Gaskins Campbell, FEMA media relations specialist.
If you can’t make it to a center, you can reach out to FEMA at disaster assistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362, or the FEMA app.
Many of you who have ed may have been denied, FEMA says if someone is denied, they don’t necessarily call it a denial.
They call it a determination letter, so a no is not necessarily a final decision.
FEMA says that could mean they need additional information to process your application fully so make sure you read the letter.
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