The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing assistance to residents affected by Hurricane Helene and will likely do the same for those who were harmed by Hurricane Milton.
Assistance efforts are coming from agency representatives in states helping to clean up debris and care for people injured in the wake of Helene and Milton, as well as offering up cash to assist victims.
While there has been a bevy of misinformation about what FEMA’s relief does, here is what to know about the federal government’s aid to these hurricane victims.
Who is eligible for relief?
Those eligible for relief from FEMA include people in the areas declared a disaster by the federal government who are U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or qualified noncitizens. An applicant may qualify for assistance with disaster needs that are not met with insurance or a different program. If not, all disaster needs are met with insurance. FEMA may be able to provide assistance as long as the applicant includes proof they were denied assistance from insurance.
For Helene, residents in parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia may apply for assistance. For Milton, assistance will likely be available for residents in parts of Florida.
How can hurricane victims apply?
Victims of storms may apply on FEMA’s website in the specific section for the storm that damaged their property.
For Helene, there are different websites for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia residents to apply for assistance.
How much relief is being given out?
Relief given out to victims depends on the remedy needed to relieve any disaster needs, including fixing damage to a property, funds for temporary housing, and other disaster-related needs.
Shortly after victims apply for disaster relief, they may be approved for Serious Needs Assistance, a one-time $750 payment per household given to victims for immediate needs after the disaster, such as water, food, first aid, and transportation.
Common misconceptions
As FEMA has responded to disasters, misinformation about the agency and its work has spread.
One of the most frequently discussed falsehoods is that disaster victims only receive $750 total for recovery. The payment is known as Serious Needs Assistance, which is one form of assistance given to victims of natural disasters for their immediate needs as applications for other repairs and needs are reviewed.
Another claim has been that FEMA will seize a person’s property if he or she apples for assistance and it deems the property to be unlivable. The agency flatly denies this claim.
“Applying for disaster assistance does not grant FEMA or the federal government authority or ownership of your property or land. When you apply for disaster assistance, a FEMA inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for,” the agency said on its website.
“If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional,” it continued.
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FEMA has also denied claims that disaster relief funds have been diverted to international causes or for border security.
“FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts,” the agency said. “Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.”