Press release from FEMA:
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. – FEMA reminds western North Carolina residents who have received federal disaster assistance for Tropical Storm Fred to use the money for its intended purpose and to keep receipts for three years.
Disaster assistance is intended to help residents meet basic disaster-related needs. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.
If applicants spend the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, they may be denied future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.
Those receiving assistance are urged to keep receipts for their disaster spending for three years to document that the money was used to meet disaster-related needs. If recipients receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, they must reimburse FEMA. Audits are conducted to confirm funds were spent properly.
Disaster survivors in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties with uninsured losses can apply for disaster assistance by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week..
The deadline to apply is Nov. 8, 2021.
For an American Sign Language video on this topic, go to: www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vF_SkmvBbGo&feature=youtu.be.
For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit fema.gov/disaster/4617 and ncdps.gov/TSFred. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.
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