Robin and I continue to pray for the district in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Thank you to those who have done their part to help our neighbors and friends.
President Biden granted Major Disaster Designation for some initial counties in Georgia following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which began on September 24, 2024. This declaration enables the release of federal funds to assist individuals, households, and communities impacted by the hurricane in their recovery efforts. For individual assistance, residents in all 24 counties of Georgia's 12th District may be eligible for support:
Individuals may apply for federal assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA's application
hotline at 1-800-621-3362. TTY services are also available for hearing-impaired individuals at 800-462-7585. Please
take the necessary steps to apply for assistance and reach out if you are having any issues with this federal
agency.
If your home, business, or other property has been damaged, it's also important to report it as soon as possible. You can report damages by visiting https://damage-assessment-gema-soc.hub.arcgis.com/ and clicking on the "Report Damage" button.
For assistance with cleaning up damage caused by Hurricane Helene, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386.
USDA also offers a suite of disaster assistance programs that can help Georgia-12 farmers and producers recover.
More information can be found HERE.
FEMA & SBA Recovery Centers
In response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have
established Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) across the state to assist
individuals and businesses in their recovery efforts. These centers provide guidance on applying for disaster
assistance, including both Individual Assistance (FEMA) and Business Loans (SBA). To find a location near you, CLICK HERE.
Additionally, please find disaster resources below that may be available to you and your family.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Programs:
- Application: DisasterAssistance.gov, via the official FEMA app, or by calling (800) 621-3362
- Serious Needs Assistance (SNA)
- Provides a one-time, direct payment of up to $750 for disaster victims with immediate needs, such as water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation.
- Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
- Assists disaster victims with paying for temporary housing while the primary residence is uninhabitable, supporting the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes, acquiring a temporary housing unit, making certain qualified disaster mitigation improvements, and other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.
- Maximum Amount Provided: $42,500.
- Other Needs Assistance (ONA)
- Assists with disaster-related medical and dental expenses, to include injury or illness, loss of medical equipment; damage to an essential vehicle; disaster-related funeral and burial expenses; disaster-related child-care expenses.
- Maximum Amount Provided: $42,500.
- Rental Assistance and Continued Rental Assistance
- Provides grants for survivors to cover housing costs while your home is repaired or rebuilt, or while you search for a new place to rent. Includes funding for security deposits, rent, essential utilities, short-term hotel stays, and moving and storage assistance.
- Approved individuals will receive two months of assistance, but can request a three-month extension for up to 18 months if your pre-disaster residence remains uninhabitable due to the disaster or you can demonstrate a disaster-caused financial need.
- Maximum Amount Provided: FEMA will pay Fair Market Rate (FMR) plus an allowance for utilities.
- Displacement Assistance (DA)
- Covers the costs associated with lodging in a hotel or motel, staying with family or friends, or for any other available housing options.
- Maximum Amount Provided: Based on the rate of 14 days of hotel costs for the area impacted by the disaster.
- Disaster Legal Services (DLS)
- Provides legal assistance to qualifying individuals, which may include help with insurance claims, powers of attorney, new wills and lost legal documents, problems with landlords, FEMA appeals, home repair contracts and contractor fraud.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans:
- Application: Apply online or by calling (800) 659-2955
- Provides low-interest loans to help disaster victims recover from disasters.
- Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.
- Renters and homeowners can borrow up to $100,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles.
- Businesses and private nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2,000,000 to repair or replace covered losses.
Department of Labor Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA):
- DUA funds are provided directly to affected states. If your job is interrupted or lost because of a qualifying disaster and you are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits, including because you are self-employed, DUA can provide compensation.
- Maximum Amount Provided: The maximum weekly benefit is determined by the state law for unemployment compensation in the state where the disaster occurred.
- To learn more or apply for DUA, please visit https://dol.georgia.gov/disaster-unemployment-assistance#toc-application-process-for-dua-benefits-2.
Department of Agriculture Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP):
- Application: Contact a state or local office or call 211
- Provides food assistance to qualifying households with food loss, property damage, employment interruption, dislocation, personal-injury, or other impacts caused by a disaster.
Internal Revenue Service Disaster Tax Relief:
- Information: 800-829-3676, Deduction form: Form 4684
Tax relief provisions are available to individuals and businesses affected by Federally declared disasters. Disaster survivors might be eligible for extra time to complete taxes or certain emergency-related
