Information on registering disaster damage with federal, state, and helping agencies.
Registering with FEMA in Federally Declared Disasters
One of the first things to do following disaster damage to your home is to register with FEMA. You may do this on FEMA’s Individual Assistance page or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. This is an essential step in applying for Federal assistance. Some types of assistance are available for renters as well. It is important for anyone who has losses to register as soon as you have assessed your losses.
You may be asked to apply for an SBA Loan. This is part of the process and is something you should do even if you do not want a loan. You will not qualify for a significant grant unless you follow this step and are not approved for the loan.
Many initial applicants receive a denial letter. This is often because of small issues in the application that can be easily addressed. In other cases, you may need to submit additional evidence of the damage, such as photos, receipts, and perhaps an estimate. It is important to know that you should always appeal the initial decision if it is not satisfactory to you. You should call for an explanation of the denial and submit your appeal within 60 days.
Visit FEMA’s “Help After a Disaster” page for a guide to the types of assistance available and appeal procedures.
Registering for Assistance in State Declared Disasters
There are times when a disaster does not meet the requirements for FEMA declaration. Often these events become State Declared Disasters. In those cases, North Carolina State designated funds become available to those impacted by the storms.
Typically state emergency personnel will set up a registration site in local communities. It is important to register for assistance from the State in these cases. North Carolina typically designates assistance at the same levels as FEMA awards.
Visit the NC Department of Public Safety website for more information, registration, and application details.
Register Damage with Helping Agencies
If you are in need of help, we strongly recommend that you register your damage with Crisis Clean-up at 1-844-965-1386. They make information available to several agencies that provide volunteers to help.
We also recommend registering with NC Conference Disaster Ministries by calling our Call Center at 888-440-9167. This will put your damage on our radar. We may be able to provide additional information and guidance as you navigate your recovery.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance company for more information.