Press release from Pisgah Legal Services:
People living in Western North Carolina (WNC) who were impacted by Hurricane Helene now have more time to apply for two important benefits: FEMA Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance deadlines have been extended to March.The FEMA application deadline has been extended to March 8, 2025. Homeowners and renters in WNC counties affected by the storm should apply for aid online at fema.gov/helpishere, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. While the FEMA application deadline has been extended several times past the initial application period, WNC residents should not count on an additional extension past March 8.The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended toMarch 10, 2025, for people in 39 NC counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of NC. Applications for DUA can be filed at des.nc.gov. People who have lost employment as a direct result of the hurricane and business owners may be eligible for benefits.If you live in WNC and need help applying for benefits or appealing a FEMA decision, contact nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services at 828-253-0406 or apply online at pisgahlegal.org.Pisgah Legal’s Executive Director Jackie Kiger said, “We want to encourage everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for FEMA benefits, not only for themselves but for the long-term recovery of our communities. The recovery funding that our WNC counties will receive will be based in part on the number of FEMA applications filed in each county. By applying for FEMA benefits, you are helping your community secure resources to fix roads, bridges, utilities, and more.”She continued, “Helene was the largest natural disaster in our state’s history, and we need all the help we can get to rebuild communities in our mountains. And if you do not apply for FEMA assistance now, you may be ineligible for some of the other recovery-related funds and resources that will become available for impacted households.”Nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services provides a broad array of free, civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy and access to health care in 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in WNC. Pisgah Legal Services is assisting hurricane survivors with housing problems, including eviction and foreclosure prevention, helping consumers avoid fraud and scams with contractors and other businesses, and advising homeowners on private insurance denials. Last year Pisgah Legal assisted more than 25,000 people throughout the mountain region. More information and resources can be found at pisgahlegal.org/helene.
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