FEMA working to provide federal assistance to those impacted by Helene
ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL)—Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives are stationed across the region in multiple counties to assist those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Rick Brewer, a FEMA representative, told News Channel 11 that applying is the first step to receiving assistance. A Disaster Recovery Center has been set up in Erwin to help answer questions and get people applying for FEMA assistance.
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"They can sign up for individual assistance, which includes the special needs assistance, which many people have heard about. It's up to $770, but there's also other things that FEMA pays for or will assist with," said Brewer. "Maybe money for cleaning to clean up some of the mess left behind from the hurricane, and then we also have housing assistance, which allows you to make repairs to your home."
Other assistance FEMA offers includes special needs assistance, home repairs, storm damage, personal property damage, temporary housing and even help people cover hotel costs.
"The main thing is to get an application started, and after that, you'll receive some information from FEMA, and they'll make a decision on your claim," said Brewer. "Quite often, people receive a letter from FEMA that says denial on it, but if they read down just a little bit further, it will explain the reason for the denial, and many times, the reason for an initial denial is because people are missing a document in their packet."
Brewer said once those documents have been submitted, the claim will be evaluated and eligibility for assistance will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Jimmy Erwin, Unicoi County Emergency Management Director, said having FEMA in Erwin has been a big help to the community.
"Our residents don't need to drive to Johnson City or Kingsport or Jonesborough to fill out paperwork they lost their stuff here, they belong in the residual county," said Erwin. "FEMA has worked [well] with us, helping us locate here and all the other agencies to come in here."
The Disaster Recovery Center also has other agencies helping with unemployment and small business owners.
