Staff reports
Homeowners and renters in Beaufort County who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene are now eligible to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance.
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.
Beaufort County, along with Fairfield County, was added to the list of eligible South Carolina counties on Friday, Oct. 11, joining Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties, as well as tribal members of the Catawba Indian Nation, previously authorized for assistance to households.
Homeowners and renters can apply for FEMA assistance in several ways:
— Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
— Use the FEMA App.
— Call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
— Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. To find locations and hours of operation, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362.
A Disaster Recovery Center is open at the Freetown Community Center at 200 Alice Avenue in Greenville. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to provide in-person assistance to Hurricane Helene survivors.
FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
What You’ll Need When You Apply
— A current phone number where you can be contacted.
— Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
— Your Social Security number.
— A general list of damage and losses.
— Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
— If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
If you have homeowners, renters’ or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
For the latest information about South Carolina’s recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4829.
Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
