FEMA deadline extended in Georgia: What you need to know
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Friday marked three months since Hurricane Helene hit our area as a category 1 hurricane.
Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been stationed in our area to help you get the federal assistance you may need.
The deadline to apply for assistance in South Carolina is coming up on Jan. 7.
But in Georgia, state lawmakers successfully moved that deadline to Feb. 7, giving you more time.
That’s a month later than the previous deadline.
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FEMA officials say there are so many people who qualify for aid who haven’t gotten help yet.
FEMA says more than two-thirds of the state is eligible to apply for FEMA assistance.
They have approved nearly $266 million across Georgia and nearly $244 million in South Carolina.
If you haven’t applied for assistance yet, FEMA says do that now, because you could be leaving money on the table.
If you have applied and you were denied, make sure you read the letter and appeal if you feel it was wrong.
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You have 60 days to appeal the decision after receiving your letter.
FEMA says one of the main reasons you could have been denied was your insurance.
If you are insured, always use that as your first route.
Because by law, FEMA cannot duplicate anything your insurance says they will cover.
So, you will need to prove what your insurance will and will not cover.
When applying for assistance, provide as much information as you can, whether it’s receipts, photos or videos.
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“If your home sustained major roof damage and you file with your insurance and your insurance agrees to pay for those damages, you can’t then turn around to FEMA and say, ‘Okay, FEMA. My insurance is going to cover my roof damages. Now, what are you going to give me for my roof damages?’ If your insurance agrees to cover that, that’s going to be who you go with. If there are instances where your insurance doesn’t cover everything, we could fill in some of those gaps,” said FEMA Media Relations Specialist Nikki Gaskins Campbell.
When you apply with FEMA, have the following information ready:
- Phone number where you can be ed
- Address at the time of the disaster
- Address where you are staying now
- Social Security Number of one member of the household
- Basic list of damage and losses
- Bank information if you choose direct deposit for FEMA money
- Insurance Information: if you have insurance, including the policy number
FEMA says employees will be in the two-state area for as long as they are needed.
There are several ways to apply for help, including at disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA app or calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
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