Businesses and individuals trying to recover from Hurricane Helene’s destruction are facing deadlines to apply for assistance, and they are different in Georgia and South Carolina.
The Palmetto State has the most immediate deadline. It is on January 7. That is the final date businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofits can apply for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) low-interest disaster loans.
Stephen Clark, SBA Public Affairs Specialist, provided ABD with the latest information on how and where to apply.
Applications can be filed online at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
Clark said there are also centers set up across South Carolina to apply in person. One of the centers is at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 17519 Atomic Road in Aiken. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
“Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan,” advised Clark. “If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.”
The deadline to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also Jan. 7 in South Carolina. The disaster declaration covers 28 counties including Aiken and Edgefield.
In South Carolina, it’s 28 counties and the deadline is approaching. It’s so important that people in South Carolina reach out to us if they haven’t already and they suffered damage as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, because they could be leaving money on the table,” Nikki Gaskins, Media Relations Specialist with FEMA’s Joint Information Center, explained for ABD. “A state has to request the deadline extension. Georgia made the request for an extension, and so it was approved, and that’s why there’s this February 7 registration deadline for Georgia.”
FEMA may be able to provide grant money for individuals. The money can be used for lodging reimbursement or rental assistance, to cover hotel expenses or the need to relocate, personal property and basic home repairs, and other serious needs caused by the storm.
Georgians impacted by the hurricane have a bit more breathing room. The deadline to apply for both SBA and FEMA assistance has been extended to Feb. 7. That declaration covers both Tropical Storm Debby, Aug. 4 through 20, and Hurricane Helene, between Sept. 24 and Oct. 30.
Gaskins said the amount of money FEMA can provide is based strictly on need, it is not tied to a person’s income.
“Any assistance that a disaster survivor gets from FEMA is typically not enough to get that person back to their pre-disaster condition. However, we can offer some assistance in the short term to help them get back on their feet,” she said, adding “That’s why other partners, like SBA, nonprofits, and houses of worship all also play a critical role in the recovery process.”
Gaskins said FEMA is just one piece in the overall recovery process. She said money from FEMA is also different from money received from SBA. That money is a loan that requires repayment. FEMA money is a grant.
“There’s always rumors and misinformation that happens during a storm, but it seemed amplified this time around,” she said. “And one of the things heard early on in the disaster is that people would have to repay this money for FEMA. That is not accurate. You do not have to repay this money. It’s grant money that is designed to be used for your recovery, but it’s important that you use it for your recovery from the hurricane only.”
Gaskins said, as of Dec. 29, in South Carolina, FEMA has approved more than $244 million in disaster assistance for more than 227,000. On the Georgia side, FEMA has approved more than $267.1 million in disaster assistance for more than 195,000 households.
The one-month extension in Georgia also covers applications to the SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for physical damage.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, and business assets including machinery and inventory. Homeowners are eligible for loans up to $500,000 to repair or replace real estate. Another option can provide up to $100,000 to homeowners and renters to repair or replace property, including vehicles.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., Associate Administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA in a news release announcing the extension. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
Applicants who want to mitigate future damage to their property by incorporating safe rooms or storm shelters, sump pumps, and retaining walls may be eligible for a 20% increase in their verified physical damage.
Applicants may 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.
Gaskins said that anyone needing FEMA assistance can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center. There is a center available at the Hub for Community Innovation on Chaffee Ave. in Augusta.
FEMA is also with SBA at the center at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Aiken. Applications can also be made using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362.
