FEMA offers door-to-door assistance as aid deadline extends for victims
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It was boots on the ground for FEMA on Friday, as they went door-to-door to assess damage from Helene.
Because not everybody can drive to get help applying for assistance, FEMA made sure to come to them.
Georgia and South Carolina homeowners and renters now have until Jan. 7 to apply for FEMA assistance to recover from Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby.
The deadline was extended for both states, federal official said Thursday.
Applications to FEMA have been pouring in over the last several weeks.
The two state has seen nearly a half billion dollars of aid to assist survivors, and FEMA says they aren’t going anywhere yet.
“In Georgia, FEMA has approved more than 174,000 applications after Hurricane Helene and more than $212 million has been provided to the state. In South Carolina, FEMA has approved more than $214 million in housing and other types of assistance to almost 212,000 people,” said Nikki Gaskins Campbell, FEMA media relations specialist.
Homeowners and renters from Screven County can apply for aid for damage from Debby, while Hurricane Helene aid may be available to residents of residents of Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington and Wilkes counties.
In Richmond County, FEMA will be at the HUB located at 631 Chafee Avenue until after the first of the year to help you with any questions, according to Sean Frantom.
Thousands of people are still waiting for FEMA assistance, which is why they’re going door to door letting people know help is on the way.
“We realize not everyone could come out to a disaster recovery center. Some people may not have access to the internet. Some people may not have access to a phone. So, this has given us an opportunity to literally go out on foot into the communities and meet face-to-face with disaster survivors,” said Campbell.
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FEMA says they are working to meet as many people as they can.
“I can tell you this particular group that we’re embedded with, they are literally averaging about 200 homes a day. Other crews about 100 homes a day,” said Campbell.
If you aren’t home when they knock, that doesn’t mean they forget about you.
“If you’re not there, we will probably leave material letting you know that we stop by, and just the different ways that you can for disaster assistance,” said Campbell.
FEMA says they want you to be aware that they may knock on your door.
But be careful who you speak to.
“Unfortunately, whenever there’s a major disaster, it is not uncommon for them, for there to be bad players out there who see this as an opportunity to take advantage of people who are down on their luck, who just suffered a tremendous loss,” said Campbell.
They say there are signs that someone may be trying to scam you.
“We will never ask for any financial information. We are just merely there to help you for disaster assistance, give you an update on your application and answer any questions that you might have about the recovery process as it relates to FEMA,” she said.
To apply, visit a disaster recovery center, go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
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What you’ll need:
- A current phone number where you can be ed.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
FEMA says it has approved more than $1.5 billion in direct assistance to Hurricanes Helene and Milton survivors. Additionally, over $1.2 billion has been approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures, which are necessary to save lives, protect public health and prevent further damage to public and private property.
More than 1,400 FEMA disaster survivor assistance team are in affected neighborhoods.
“That number is obviously going to continue to go up as we meet face to face and continue to canvass the communities,” said Campbell.
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You may be wondering if they will be coming to your home.
“We aim to go into some of the hardest hit communities, but we’ll take guidance from our state and local counterparts because they know this area better than we do,” said Campbell.
If you don’t get a knock at your door, there are other ways you can get assistance.
“We are at the disaster recovery centers because people have an opportunity to meet with us face to face there,” she said.
In Georgia, FEMA has approved over $207 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 172,000 households.
In South Carolina, FEMA has approved over $210 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 209,000 households.
Wilkes County
The Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.
Previously on the list were Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren and Washington counties in the CSRA.
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S.C. child care
South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA child care assistance even if they didn’t have property damage.
FEMA may award payment under its “other needs” program to those with disaster-caused child care expenses following Hurricane Helene. Residents in Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick, Orangeburg and Saluda counties can apply.
Assistance may be available for up to eight weeks per child or household, up to a maximum of $150 per child.
For additional information, the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center near you, visit fema.gov/drc.
It is not necessary to go to a center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters in designated counties can go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 800-621-3362 or use the FEMA mobile app to apply.
New FEMA center
- Bamberg County Library, 3156 E. Railroad Ave., Bamberg, open Nov. 5-11, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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