North Carolina Disaster Assistance Deadline Extended to Jan. 9, 2017 | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: Stay connected to BCN for all of our many Hurricane Mathew updates.

News Release:

    RALEIGH, N.C.     At the request of the State of North Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a 31-day extension for Hurricane Matthew survivors to apply for federal disaster assistance.

    The state has requested more time for registration because a number of counties were added for Individual Assistance several weeks after the original Oct. 10 presidential disaster declaration.

    Survivors now have until Jan. 9, 2017, to register with FEMA. This new deadline also applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

    Registration is open to survivors in Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Wake, Washington, Wayne and Wilson counties.

    Registering with FEMA is the first step to federal disaster assistance. Register:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
• Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

    If you have questions or need information you are encouraged to visit an open Disaster Recovery Center. To locate the center nearest you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, use the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or readync.org. Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc. while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the helpline numbers for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

    Disaster recovery centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA, North Carolina Emergency Management and SBA. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications.

    A convenient way to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan is to visit a FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center or an SBA Business Recovery Center and meet with an SBA representative in person. SBA has staff at all DRCs and BRCs to help you with your application. For more information, applicants may contact SBA's Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call TTY 800-877-8339.

    FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare or other federal benefits.

    Register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured you may receive help after your claim has been settled.

    For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at readync.org. Management @ncemergency.

• Contact: Rashonda Dolberry
•     rashonda.dolberry@co.beaufort.nc.us