Hurricane Helene aid: What to know as the clock ticks
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Today is the deadline in Georgia to apply for a Hurricane Helene aid program to help with your grocery bill, but South Carolina residents have a little more time.
Meanwhile, FEMA is still in Augusta offering assistance, through the process can require a lot of patience.
We’re on your side trying to answer some of your questions.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Augusta until at least Jan. 7 in an office at the HUB for Community Innovation, 631 Chafee Ave.
That date is the deadline to apply for aid related to Helene.
So far, FEMA says it has approved more than $330 million in assistance to more than 215,000 households in South Carolina. More than $221 million has been approved for Georgians.
FEMA also says it’s approved more than 179,000 applications for assistance from Hurricane Helene survivors.
But some people are not on that list while others continue to have issues.
FEMA CENTERS:
- The agency also has several locations open across the region, though the times and dates of operation vary. To find the closest disaster recovery center, visit https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.
It’s been nearly two months since Hurricane Helene ripped through homes, leaving many people relying on outside resources for help.
But for some, they still haven’t received any.
FEMA says they haven’t forgotten either and are still here to help.
“I had difficulty applying on my own, so they assisted me with my application,” said Erica Hawes, FEMA applicant.
Hawes says she was in and out.
“Very easy, effective. Just walked in, got a ticket, and waited for like 10 minutes,” she said.
But that’s not the case for everyone.
Xavier Harris lives in Columbia County.
She took two buses, in the rain, to get to the HUB in Augusta, hoping to get help.
Harris says she applied for assistance more than a month ago.
Local group helps clean up biking trails after Helene
If you mountain bike around the CSRA, you know about SORBA — the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association.
“So, after being on the phone for an hour to actually get a representative, I got a representative, and she did my whole application,” said Harris.
But she says it wasn’t filled out correctly.
“The box that specifically says, if you know, as far as asking about your utilities, she marked no. She never marked anything for if you’ve been out of power for three days or more,” said Harris.
Harris says she was without power for 10 days.
“So, I came down here to check to find out, but now I have to show proof. I have to bring them proof of my utilities being off, as well as proof of my residency,” said Harris.
It’s something she says is just another setback.
“That 750 that can help, that can go towards rent, that can go towards something else, that can kind of work, but not happening now. I got to jump through hoops to get this taken care of now,” she said.
Harris works from home, but until recently, she wasn’t able to do that.
‘Everybody’s helping everybody’: Debris removal continues for CSRA counties
Before Hurricane Helene, the 2014 ice storm was one of the worst recent disasters our area faced. To put Helene into perspective, so far, 928,000 cubic yards of debris have been picked up.
“Without having no internet connection, no working. So, without that, that’s another thing that hampers me as far as income is concerned,” said Harris.
She says the $750 from FEMA was something she was depending on.
“I have a 15-year-old who’s allergic to just about everything under the sun. So, a lot of the canned goods that were given I couldn’t use for him,” said Harris.
Harris says for anyone else who is struggling, just keep trying because that’s what she is going to do.
You can also apply online at disasterassistance.gov. FEMA says this is the fastest way to apply.
You can also apply on your phone using the FEMA mobile app. or by calling 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages.
FEMA says if you are denied, you can appeal that decision within 60 days of getting your determination letter.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says FEMA has processed at least 64,683 applications in the city.
D-SNAP
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – or D-SNAP – offers grocery assistance for people who suffered damage or lost income from the hurricane and who meet certain income requirements.
The first big thing to know is that you cannot receive D-SNAP if you’re already enrolled in SNAP – what used to be called the food stamp program.
U.S. gas prices hit 3-year low, and CSRA drivers are paying even less
Gas prices in the United States are, on average, the lowest they have been since May 2021. And prices in the CSRA are even lower than the national average.
But lower-to-moderate income people could be eligible – if they meet certain requirements.
D-SNAP provides temporary food assistance in the form of a one-time payment to low-to-moderate income households who lost income or sustained property damage following a disaster. To qualify for D-SNAP, Georgians must:
- Live or work in one of the counties declared by FEMA for Individual and Public Assistance at the time of the disaster
- Not currently receive food assistance through the regular SNAP program
- Have suffered a disaster-related loss to property or income, including incurring expenses related to the disaster
- Provide proof of identity for the head of household and authorized representative (if applicable)
- Meet financial eligibility requirements
City of Aiken offers update on debris removal progress
Officials say they are working on Stratford Hall, Spring Stone and River Bluff Road and contractors are in the Kalmia Hill, Highland Park and Westcliff neighborhoods.
Households should be prepared to provide the following information:
- Name, date of birth, and Social Security number (if applicable) for each household member
- Permanent residential address, temporary address, and/or mailing address
- Proof of identification, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID
- Amount of disaster-related expenses incurred during the disaster period
- Amount of income for each household member
- Amount of household resources, to include cash on hand or savings
‘I can’t believe she’s gone’: S.C. missing mom dies in flood
A South Carolina woman on her way to the pharmacy died when her car was caught in floodwaters. Her family believes her death could have been prevented.
IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Local residents of South Carolina have a little more time.
Response has been strong so far.
“We’ve received over 24,000 online preregistration online applications,” said Connelly-Anne Ragley of the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
The dates to pre- in South Carolina are split up by county.
- Nov. 11-15: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, McCormick and Saluda counties.
- Nov. 17-21: Edgefield and Orangeburg counties.
You’ll need to pre- online at https://benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov/#/benefits/dsnap/preregistration.
IN GEORGIA
The deadline to apply for D-SNAP in Georgia was on Thursday at 5 p.m.
More information for D-SNAP can be found on gateway.ga.gov.
Households could pre- with just their name, address, and signature at any point during pre-registration by clicking on the “Sign & Submit” button. However, DHS encouraged applicants to answer as many questions as they could before submitting the pre-registration form.
Pre-ing for D-SNAP online is only the first step. Households must also complete an interview to determine their eligibility and finalize the D-SNAP application process. Households must be represented by either the head of household or an authorized representative.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
