Resource Fair offers assistance with FEMA applications and more

HENDERSONVILLE – Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives are urging anyone affected by Tropical Storm Helene who has not yet applied for assistance to do so before the application deadline, which has been extended from Nov. 27 until January 7.

FEMA spokesperson La-Tanga Hopes told the Times-News on Nov. 14 that there are four ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone appwhich is usually fastest; by calling 1-800-621-3362, which may result in wait times; personally with A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)where representatives are available in person; or through an outreach team that has gone door to door.

A resource fair will be held Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 21-22 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center in the Blue Ridge Commons shopping plaza at 2111 Asheville Hwy. in Hendersonville. During that time, people can receive assistance from FEMA as well as various county departments and nonprofits. Flu shots, home repair assistance, legal aid and free meals will be available.

“People who are insured, people who are uninsured, renters and even students can apply for disaster assistance,” Hopes told the Times-News.

At the DRC in Hendersonville on November 14, there was no wait time and about a dozen people were served individually.

Thomas Ryan, manager of the center, says that about 120 to 140 people are helped there per day and that it is less busy on weekends.

“The registration period has been extended until January 7. At least that is how long the DRC will be open,” Ryan said.

Ryan noted that applicants only need to complete a single FEMA application. Each applicant is assigned a number. Within approximately two weeks to a month, applicants will receive a letter stating whether they qualify for assistance. In many cases, an immediate assistance award of $750 is approved, with additional assistance later based on their individual situation and needs. The same application can be used to determine eligibility for certain other services, such as loans offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Hopes emphasized that the agency may be able to help with a wide range of needs, from child care to transportation and rental assistance. Anyone who is rejected is encouraged to appeal. Refusals can be issued due to a missing document or a paper error that can be easily resolved.

Hopes said some people were hesitant to sign up, assuming the urgency of the disaster has since passed Tropical Storm Helene hit western North Carolina September 27. She still encouraged such people to apply.

“They can go back later and say, ‘You know what? I think I want to take advantage of this,'” Hopes said.

Hopes added that it’s a good idea to answer your phone, even if the call is from an unregistered number. “FEMA is probably calling,” she said. Representatives may need to ask questions or schedule an inspection, Hopes said. She noticed that FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams – representatives who go door to door to help people with applications – will carry official badges that resemble driver’s licenses, with holograms and computer chips.

Families in Henderson County have received more than $31.5 million to help with their recovery to date, Hopes said. FEMA’s DSA teams have visited more than 3,500 homes in the county, and more than 46,000 homes in North Carolina. FEMA currently pays hotel costs for more than 4,500 families across the state.

“We are here and we want to make sure we are here to help with this recovery in the long term,” Hopes said.

Deirdra Funcheon covers Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties for the Hendersonville Times-News. Do you have a tip? Email her at [email protected].