GEORGIA, — Residents in eight Georgia counties affected by Hurricane Helene are now eligible for federal disaster assistance, according to a recent announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The newly approved counties are Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Long, Newton, and Wayne, which will now have access to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. The program funds individuals impacted by natural disasters to cover housing costs, food, and other essential needs.
Key details:
- What’s covered:
The Individual Assistance program is intended to help meet basic needs for those affected by the storm and can include:- Temporary housing: Rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs.
- Home repairs: Funds to support repairs or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence. This may also include privately owned access routes, such as driveways or bridges.
- Temporary housing units: Provided when rental assistance is not an option due to a lack of available housing resources.
- Other disaster-related expenses: Funds for other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.
FEMA’s Individual Assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot cover all losses. Those with insurance should still file a claim with their insurance company as soon as possible, as FEMA cannot provide benefits for damages covered by insurance.
Georgians seeking help to apply for federal assistance can find a step-by-step resource guide at Ossoff.senate.gov/Helene. The guide is also available in Spanish at Ossoff.senate.gov/es/Helene.
For more information about designated areas for federal assistance, visit FEMA.gov.
