Federal funding is now available to storm survivors in Washington County.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced financial disaster assistance for local residents affected by the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene.
According to FEMA, the monetary reinforcement can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and further programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the natural disaster.
Additional financial assistance may include receiving upfront funds to help with purchasing essential items like food, water, baby formula, and other emergency supplies. Help for expenses in transportation, childcare, moving, and storage are also available.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance in one of three ways:
1.) Online at disasterassistance.gov
2.) Calling 1-800-621-3362
3.) On the FEMA Smartphone App
In further efforts to fiscally aid citizens, the state of Georgia has suspended the gas tax.
“As Georgians recover from Hurricane Helene, we have suspended the gas tax for the duration of this State of Emergency – bringing relief to communities who continue to rely on fuel to power their homes and necessary equipment,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Helene has had a negative impact on the supply of good and services to areas hit hardest by the storm, and therefore has negatively impacted the social and economic well-being of our residents.”
The gas tax suspension will begin on Thursday, October 3 and remain in effect through Wednesday, October 9.
Other statewide measures to support reeling residents include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allowing recipients to report food lost due to power outages stemming from Hurricane Helene.
“Thousands of Georgians are coping with the aftermath of Helene. While they face many challenges, we want to ensure they can continue to feed their families as they work to restore their lives and homes,” said Candice Broce, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services. “We have a number of ways for SNAP customers to request replacement benefits, and DHS stands ready to assist our communities in the days ahead.”
To request replacement benefits, eligible SNAP recipients must report the loss of food to the Division of Family & Children Services and complete a Food Loss Replacement Form to verify the amount of food that was lost.
Customers can electronically fill out and submit the form through the Department of Human Services (DHS) website at dfcs.georgia.gov. Individuals may also obtain a copy of the form at their local DFCS office and submit it in person or via mail.
Affected SNAP recipients have 10 days from the date of the food loss occurrence to request a replacement for food lost during storm-related power outages that lasted four hours or more.
For Washington County residents needing support in cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs, and mitigating mold, the local Emergency Management Agency recommends contacting the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-956-1386.
Open through Friday, October 11, the hotline can connect callers with volunteers from relief organizations and faith-based groups who may be able to assist in their reparation efforts.