Assistance After Florence; Important Info!

FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED ANY LOSSES FROM HURRICANE FLORENCE

Hurricane Florence is a once-in-a-lifetime storm that has left many facing significant challenges as we begin the recovery process. Please rest assured you are not alone. One of the ways we can help is to make you aware of the wide variety of resources available to you and your family to help you get through this difficult time. If you have been impacted in any way, PLEASE don’t hesitate to ask for help and take advantage of this assistance – your taxes make these programs available and they are meant to assist in times of crisis.

FEMA

·    File with FEMA and get your FEMA number ASAP! You will need it for everything. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.

·       You can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

·       You will  need to provide the following:

o   Social Security number, or the social security number of a child living at the house.

o   Annual household income.

o   Contact information, insurance information and bank account information (FEMA needs  bank account information so agency can directly deposit $$ into your account.)

·       Additional info:

o   Anyone who is denied will be notified and given a chance to appeal.

o   FEMA aid only is available for your primary residence — not vacation homes.

o   FEMA will not duplicate the assistance you receive from your insurance company, but you may receive assistance for items not covered by insurance.

o   Homeowners and renters can also apply for low-interest home repair loans from the Small Business Administration at https://disasterloan.sba.gov.  Owner of rental properties can also apply for repair loans through the SBA.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

·       File for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). If you can't live in your house or go to work because your office is closed or flooded, this applies to you. The DUA program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster. The state has declared that residents in Onslow, New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties are approved for DUA. You must file an application for benefits by October 17, 2018.

·       DUA is funded entirely by the federal government. Individuals need to file first for regular unemployment insurance. If an individual is determined ineligible for regular unemployment insurance, or has exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits, a DUA claim can then be filed. Individuals will need their Social Security number, copies of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs, or documentation to support they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.

·       DUA is available beginning September 9, 2018, and may last for up to 26 weeks, as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues to be as a result of Hurricane Florence.

·       Individuals may contact DES by calling 1-866-795-8877 from 8AM to 5PM to apply for DUA benefits. If you have questions, you may email DES at des.dua@nccommerce.com or go to our website at des.nc.gov. For an updated list of counties that have been approved, please visit the News and Highlights section at des.nc.gov

SBA DISASTER LOANS

·       SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, homeowners, and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.

·       You can apply online for all types of SBA disaster assistance loans. The online application is the fastest method to receive a decision about your loan eligibility. You have the option of submitting a paper application by mail. For either application, you must submit the completed loan application and a signed and dated IRS Form 4506-T giving permission for the IRS to provide SBA your tax return information.  You may also apply in person at any Disaster Recovery Center and receive personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative. For information or to find a location near you, please contact our Customer Service Center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

DISASTER FOOD ASSISTANCE

·       File for DSNAP-Disaster food stamps. ANYONE in the affected areas can get them; they are not just for economically disadvantaged people. Do not be too proud to use this very important resource -- you can use the money you save on food to replace clothes and other necessities. The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program offers short-term food assistance benefits to families recovering from a disaster. D-SNAP is designed to help when people return to their homes and have access to electricity and grocery stores. To get emergency SNAP benefits, go to your local DSS office. You will fill out the food stamps application (attached) and meet with a caseworker. If you are getting emergency SNAP benefits, DTA must give you SNAP benefits no later than seven days after they receive your application.

§                             Wilmington – 1650 Greenfield Street, Wilmington 28401

§                             Brunswick County – 60 Government Center Dr. NE, Bolivia 28422

§                             Pender County – 810 S Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425

    Onslow County – 612 College Street, Jacksonville, NC 28541

STATE AID TO REBUILD OR REPAIR YOUR HOME

·       The state of North Carolina can help with rebuilding or repairing your home. More information is available at rebuild.nc.gov. To apply, go to www.rebuild.nc.gov/apply. You will be required to provide the following:

·       A photo ID and proof of citizenship or legal residency (U.S. passport or green card).

·       Proof that you lived in the damaged home (like a utility bill from the same month the storm hit).

·       Copies of tax returns or pay stubs for all the adults who live in the home.

·     Copies of any payments from insurance companies or other government agencies for damage to the home.

FILING HOME INSURANCE CLAIMS

·       When the storm passes, insurance agents will be out in force to assist homeowners with filing their property insurance claims.

·       The N.C. Department of Insurance will also assist in processing claims and plans to set up Consumer Assistance Centers in shopping centers and other public places. The locations will be listed at www.ncdoi.com.

·       File a claim with BOTH your homeowner's and flood insurance. Even though it's a flood, homeowners will cover some wind damage and most of them will give you money for "loss of use" if you can't live in your house.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

·       American Red Cross of the Cape Fear Region - More than 1,500 Red Cross disaster workers have been deployed to assist with Hurricane Florence relief efforts.  Call 910-762-2683 to request assistance.

SALVATION ARMY

·       The Salvation Army’s national network of disaster staff and volunteers have been activated since Monday, September 10, to mobilize for storm preparation and response. Trained emergency disaster personnel are prepared to provide food, hydration, and emotional and spiritual support to survivors and first responders. 910-762-2070.

DELAY BILL DUE DATES

·       Call all of your bill collectors and notify them that you are in the affected area and/or that your house flooded. Most will delay your bill due dates for a month or two. This includes your mortgage company, cable, electricity, water, credit card companies, phone etc.

BE WARY OF SCAM ARTISTS

·       Be wary of sales reps who go door-to-door to solicit business.

·       Be sure the contractor you employ is insured and licensed; ask for proof of insurance.

·       Get all estimates in writing, including schedules and materials.

·       Don’t sign blank contracts and don’t pay a contractor in full until the work is completed.

ASK FOR HELP

·       Most importantly, allow people to help you! They want to and you need the help!