FEMA
Apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362, or on the FEMA App.
Individual assistance is available for those in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation. More counties are likely to be added to this list.
Public Assistance (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities) is available for Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, Williamsburg, and York counties, and the Catawba Indian Nation for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance. Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for a period of 90 days of the State’s choosing within the first 120 days from the start of the incident period.
FEMA has created a Rumor Control page specific to Hurricane Helene to help keep survivors safe and aware of rumors and scams.
Please help us in amplifying official information from trusted sources and discouraging others from sharing information from unverified sources.
Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response | FEMA.gov
FEMA Approves Major Disaster Declaration for South Carolina
SBA
Two business recovery centers have opened in SC. The SBA is opening the Centers to assist businesses and residents who were affected by Hurricane Helene. SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are available at the Centers to answer questions, assist business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in–person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance. The Centers will operate as listed below.
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Business Recovery Center (BRC) |
Business Recovery Center (BRC) |
With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.
Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 29, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 30, 2025.
To apply: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
To contact a local SBA office in SC https://www.sba.gov/district/south-carolina
SC Department of Employment and Workforce
Contact for unemployment questions https://dew.sc.gov/
Phone 866-831-1724
The South Carolina DUA program provides funds to assist people who became unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, the effects of which began September 25, 2024. DUA is also available to small business owners and the self-employed, including 1099 contract workers, who have lost personal income due to the disaster.
If you lost work or were unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, then please go to the MyBenefits Portal to apply for unemployment insurance and determine your eligibility for DUA. You can also visit dew.sc.gov and click the MyBenefits Login in the first circle of the homepage to apply through the unemployment insurance benefits system. For help, please call 1-866-831-1724. The deadline to apply for DUA benefits is Monday, December 2, 2024.
USDA
USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have affected by natural disaster events. https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/index
Info on hurricane recovery https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/hurricane
Phone 877-508-8364
VA
The VA offers a range of services for Veterans, in addition to those mentioned above including the following:
- Prevent fraud and housing scams by following VSAFE best practices during natural disasters or emergencies.
- VA’s Employee Assistance Program provides counseling and referrals for all employees and their immediate family members.
- The VA National Chaplain Service offers spiritual guidance and grief support. Contact your nearest VA Medical facility Chaplain or reach out to VANationalChaplainStaff@va.gov.
- For 24/7 crisis assistance, Veterans can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 (Press 1), by texting 838255, or through the online chat. All others can contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or through the online chat.
- For any other concerns, Veterans can call MyVA411 24/7 at 1-800-698-2411 and press 0 to speak to an agent immediately.
IRS
Taxpayers in all of SC now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Among other things, this includes 2024 individual and business returns normally due during March and April 2025, 2023 individual and corporate returns with valid extensions and quarterly estimated tax payments.
SC Department of Environmental Services https://des.sc.gov/
Hotline number for any individuals with questions on their well water and information on how to obtain a test kit to confirm their well water is safe to drink please call 888-761-5989.
SC Department of Public Health
Those dependent on medical equipment at home and without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. This includes people who have medical conditions that require electricity support and/or use a hospital bed/specialized medical bed at home. To find out if you are eligible for a medical needs shelter, call the DPH Care Line at 1-855-472-3432
SCEMD
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) Public Information Phone System is available 24 hours a day. Call 1-866-246-0133 for information about shelters, resources and other information.
Please take photos of any damage you may have for documentation and insurance purposes.
Contact the SCEMD at 866-246-0133 or at scemd.org
Find your county emergency manager https://www.scemd.org/who-we-are/county-emergency-managers/
How to find an emergency shelter https://www.scemd.org/stay-informed/emergency-shelters/
For assistance with cleanup please contact the SC Crisis Cleanup Hotline at (844) 965-1386
211
Public Resource Assistance Directory-Find resources and help at sc211.org
American Red Cross
Get help by calling 800-733-2767 or visit their website at https://www.redcross.org/local/south-carolina.html
You can find resources to locate loved one or find an open shelter or essential relief services
SC Department of Insurance
For Insurance Issues https://www.doi.sc.gov/
Phone 803-737-6160
SC Department of Transportation
Info on road closures https://www.scdot.org/travel/travel-road.html