Amid a busy holiday season, Tropical Storm Helene survivors who applied for FEMA assistance should continue to stay in touch with the agency to update application details with any new information.
It is critical to keep FEMA advised. Missing or outdated material could delay your getting help. Information that needs to be updated may include:
- Your current housing situation, phone number or mailing address.
- Adding or removing the name of a person designated to speak for you.
- Adding or changing names of household members and number of people living in the home.
- Changes in your application for FEMA help.
- Correcting or verifying home and property damage.
- Updating your payment preference
The easiest way to provide missing or new information is to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov. If you don’t have Internet access or need services not on the FEMA website, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day and help is available in most languages.
When contacting FEMA, be sure to refer to the nine-digit application number you were issued when you applied. This number is included in all correspondence you get from FEMA.
Applicants who sustained housing damage and received an eligibility letter pertaining to FEMA assistance may also need to submit additional documentation. That documentation may include:
- Proof of insurance coverage (documentation from insurance provider, policy number)
- Settlement of insurance claims or denial letter from insurance provider
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, state or federally issued id, or social security card)
- Proof of occupancy (utility bills)
- Proof of ownership (deed, property tax bill)
- Proof that the damaged property was the applicant’s primary residence at the time of disaster.
You can learn how to replace lost or damaged documents by reading the fact sheet How To Replace Lost Documents in North Carolina.
The original announcement can be found here.