8 additional counties now eligible for federal help after Hurricane Helene
An aerial picture taken on September 28, 2024, shows storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Georgia. At least 44 people died across five US states battered by powerful storm Helene, authorities said on September 27, after torr
ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that eight additional Georgia counties impacted by Hurricane Helene are now eligible for federal disaster assistance. The expanded Major Disaster Declaration now includes Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Long, Newton, and Wayne counties for Individual Assistance.
The previously announced counties are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, and Wheeler Counties.
The federal aid will help fund recovery efforts for individuals and families affected by the hurricane. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs aimed at helping residents and business owners rebuild in the wake of the storm.
FAQ from FEMA
Residents of the newly designated counties can apply for federal aid through several channels, including online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability can use a TTY by calling 800-462-7585.
The deadline for applying for disaster assistance is December 2, 2024.
Hurricane Helene: Understanding your FEMA eligibility letter
Once you've applied for disaster assistance, you should receive an eligibility letter from FEMA by mail or email. That letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It will also include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide.
In some cases, you may be required to submit additional information or supporting documents, such as:
- Proof of insurance coverage
- Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
- Proof of identity
- Proof of occupancy
- Proof of ownership
- Proof that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of the disaster
You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents to show you qualify for more assistance. Supporting documents may include:
- Receipts
- Bills
- Repair estimates
- Property titles or deeds
- Any other information that may support the reasons for appeal
If you need someone to appeal on your behalf, a written explanation for the appeal must be submitted with the additional party's signature.
These items can be submitted one of the following ways:
- Uploading to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Mailing to FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
- Faxing to 800-827-8112
- Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, if available
RELATED STORIES
- Hurricane Helene: Death toll rises to 33 in Georgia, $417M in damages reported
- Federal Hurricane Helene disaster declaration expands to 41 Georgia counties
- Georgia state of emergency extended, gas tax suspended amid Helene recovery
- Augusta community in shambles after Hurricane Helene
For more information about the Major Disaster Declaration, individuals can contact the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency by emailing IndividualAssistance@gema.ga.gov for individual aid or PublicAssistance@gema.ga.gov for public aid inquiries.