The remains of a tree brought down by Tropical Storm Helene were still laying across two cars belonging to Ken Padgett on Chesterfield Street North in Aiken on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)
COLUMBIA — Federal aid is now available to South Carolinians in 18 counties seeking to recover and rebuild after Tropical Storm Helene.
Uninsured and underinsured homeowners and renters in approved counties are eligible for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover the cost of home repairs, temporary housing and replacement of essential household items. Storm victims can also use the funding for things like food, diapers, formula and medicine.
Residents can get a maximum of $85,000 through the program — up to $42,500 for housing assistance and $42,500 for other needs.
Those eligible can apply online or by calling 800-621-3362. Federal workers also have started making door-to-door visits where possible to help residents apply for aid through the program.
Applicants will be asked to provide a phone number, addresses of their impacted property and where they are staying, their Social Security number, a list of damages and losses, banking information if they would like aid to deposited directly into their account and their policy number if they are insured. FEMA workers will have a FEMA photo ID and uniform. If you’re unsure, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
Take photos of any damage and keep any receipts for expenses.
FEMA recommends people with insurance file a claim with their provider as soon as possible to determine what will or will not be covered. Federal assistance only helps pay for those things not covered by insurance.
Agency staff may contact applicants to schedule an inspection if needed to verify disaster-related damage.
As of Thursday, the agency had approved $4.4 million worth of aid and had registered some 100,000 applicants in South Carolina. Personnel continue to process applications.
The questionnaire included in the application helps FEMA officials determine how much and what type of aid people are eligible for in the moment. Applicants can update their application seeking additional funds as their situation changes. For example, if someone learns of expenses their private insurance won’t cover or if they have to leave their home when repairs begin, more money could be made available as long as total aid provided does not exceed the mandated maximums.
Want to aid SC recovery efforts? One SC Fund re-activated to collect and distribute donations
For citizens who want to contribute to the cleanup effort, state officials are recommending charitable donations be made to the One SC Fund.
The statewide centralized fund is activated in response to emergencies and has raised $1 million in two days for storm relief. The money raised will got to nonprofits around the state helping residents recover. The fund, which is run by the Central Carolina Community Foundation, was created in 2015 with the backing of then-Gov. Nikki Haley to respond to historic flooding after Hurricane Joaquin spun offshore.
Much of the money came from corporate donors and foundations, including the Walmart Foundation and Dominion Energy.