Federal Resources
Residents affected by Helene can apply for assistance with emergency needs.
The federal government’s Small Business Administration is available to help business owners and self-employed contractors with their emergency needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Every business (any size) within the declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, or residents affected by Helene can apply for resources.
It’s helpful to start this process immediately, as insurance coverage determinations or claims denials are not required to apply for SBA programs. The application filing deadline for physical damage is Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, and for economic injury is Monday, June 30, 2025.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Business Assistance
The SBA encourages applicants to apply online for needed disaster loan. Residents can also call SBA at (800) 659-2955 or schedule an in-person appointment if they have any questions.
Available disaster loans for NC constituents in effected counties:
Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, nonprofit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
The SBA’s Hurricane Helene North Carolina-specific page also has several documents that provide additional insight into loan details/specifics. Go to www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene.
FEMA for Individual Assistance
There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call (800) 621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages.
If using DisasterAssistance.gov, clicking on the red “Let’s Get Started” button at the top of the page allows an individual to fill out a questionnaire about their specific needs. The lower portion of the page also includes links to Red Cross shelters, other shelters, SBA resources, and how to contact your local emergency management offices.
If using the FEMA App: clicking “Apply for Individual Assistance” will redirect you to DisasterAssistance.gov.
If you are calling (800) 621-3362, a FEMA representative will help you through the assistance process.
Notably, FEMA approved two new programs for use in North Carolina: Displacement Assistance (immediate housing up to 14 days) and Serious Needs Assistance (immediate financial assistance to replace and recover financial needs). FEMA may also be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss, or other disaster-caused needs.
FEMA has also approved the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for certain portions of NC. Under the TSA, FEMA pays the cost of room, taxes and non-refundable pet fees directly to participating hotels and motels. To locate participating hotels, visit femaemergencyhotels.com and enter your FEMA registration number, obtained when you applied for FEMA Individual Assistance.
How Can I Help?
Volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering, you can register at nc.gov/volunteernc, www.unitedwaync.org, or by contacting one of the NC Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster at www.ncvoad.org/members.
Financial Donations: North Carolina state government has established the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund which is managed by United Way of North Carolina and donations can be made at www.nc.gov/donate. Similarly, the North Carolina Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster is collecting donations to distribute to vetted disaster relief nonprofit organizations at www.ncvoad.org/members.