You’ve got just one week left to register for disaster assistance grants from FEMA and to submit applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 to file for federal assistance following the flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew. Registering with FEMA is the first step to find out if you may be eligible for federal help.
Don’t wait any longer. Register even if you may think you are not eligible for federal or state funding. Rebuilding takes time and it may give you peace of mind to know there is help available.
Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs to make your home habitable, and for other disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental services, transportation and funeral costs. These grants are not taxable income and will not affect your Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and other federal and state programs.
Here’s how to register:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
- Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.
Four FEMA/North Carolina Emergency Management Disaster Recovery Centers remain open. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. Here are the locations:
Cumberland County DRC Robeson County DRC
Dept. of Social Services Old Kmart store
1225 Ramsey Street 2750 N. Roberts Ave.
Fayetteville, NC 28301 Lumberton, NC 28358
Edgecombe County DRC Wayne County DRC
Edgecombe County Health Dept. W.A. Foster Recreation Center
3003 N. Main Street 1012 S. John St., Room 110.2
Tarboro, NC 27886 Goldsboro, NC 27530
At the DRCs FEMA representatives can help you register, answer questions and update your information. SBA representatives also are available to answer any questions you may have about obtaining a low-interest disaster loan.
If you have been contacted by SBA, it is important to return your completed application as soon as possible or you may lose eligibility for further FEMA assistance. For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. TTY users may call 800-877-8339. You may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The deadline to file an SBA physical disaster loan application also is 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9.
If you have questions regarding FEMA registration or have not yet registered for assistance, call the FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585) or visit DisasterAssistance.gov. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
Once you have registered with FEMA, stay in touch. If you change your address or phone number you should let FEMA know. Missing or wrong information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance.
For more information on North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.
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