COLUMBIA, S.C. - Homeowners and renters in 13 South Carolina counties may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance to help with uninsured damage or losses as a result of the impact brought by Helene.
FEMA may be able to help those with serious needs, such as displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss as well as other disaster-related needs.
Home owners in the following South Carolina counties can apply for assistance:
- Aiken
- Anderson
- Bamberg
- Barnwell
- Cherokee
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Lexington
- Newberry
- Oconee
- Pickens
- Saluda
- Spartanburg
Applications can be found online at DisasterAssistance.gov, as well as through the FEMA app, or by calling 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The telephone line is open each day and is available in most languages.
The agency has also shared a youtube video on how to apply which can be viewed here.
What people will need when applying:
- A current phone number where you can be reached.
- Address at the time of the disaster, and the address where you're currently staying.
- Social security number.
- General list of damage and losses from the storm.
- Banking information for those choosing direct deposit
- If insured, the policy number, or the agent and the company name.
Those with homeowners, renters, or flood insurance are encouraged to file a claim as soon as possible.
According to FEMA, the agency cannot duplicate benefits or losses already covered by insurance.
Those whose policies do not cover all disaster expenses may be eligible for federal assistance according to the agency.
For the latest on South Carolina's recovery following the storm, you can visit fema.gov/disaster/4829
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