Hurricane Helene

Major Disaster Declaration for Individual & Public Assistance

The Major Disaster Declaration provides Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, Wayne and Wheeler Counties. 

The Declaration also provides Individual Assistance only to: Butts, Dodge, Elbert, Fulton, Hancock, McIntosh, Newton, Rabun, Taliaferro, Thomas and Warren Counties, as well as Public Assistance only to Mitchell, Pulaski, Twiggs, Wilcox, Wilkinson and Worth Counties.

Individual Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, immediate housing and food needs, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene. 

Public Assistance can fund debris removal and emergency work on a public facility and may assist with funding for permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident.

Public Assistance programs available in the Major Disaster Declaration are currently limited to assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Eligible applicants include state and local government entities and qualified non-profit (PNP) organizations.  

There are several ways to apply: 

• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
• Use the FEMA App 
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as Video Relay Service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

For more information on which counties are declared, please visit GEMA/HS Press Release page.

FEMA & SBA Recovery Centers

In response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have established Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) across the state to assist individuals and businesses in their recovery efforts. These centers provide guidance on applying for disaster assistance, including both Individual Assistance (FEMA) and Business Loans (SBA).

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)

Individuals impacted by the disaster can visit the following DRC locations for assistance:

Business Recovery Centers (BRCs)

Business owners and individuals can apply for both SBA disaster loans and FEMA Individual Assistance at the following BRC locations:

For more information on how to apply for disaster assistance, visit FEMA.gov or contact the U.S. Small Business Administration at SBA.gov.

Portable Loan Outreach Center (PLOC)

In order to meet disaster survivors where they are, the SBA has opened a Portable Loan Outreach Center in Valdosta.

Lowndes County
McMullen Southside Library, 527 Griffin Avenue, Valdosta, GA 31601

• Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Sunday: Closed

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits

D-SNAP

On Oct. 14, 2024, FNS approved the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in 50 counties due to the impact of Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 24, 2024. The state will operate D-SNAP in four (4) phases and this approval is limited to the counties included in the phases. 

Phase 1 will begin today in coastal Georgia and will run through Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Future phases will include counties declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Individual and Public Assistance at the time of disaster. 

Phase 2 will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, and will run through Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, excluding Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. Residents in the following counties may pre-register through D-SNAP Portal Beginning Oct. 26 and end on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024: Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Glynn, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Thomas, Tift, and Ware Counties, on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.

D-SNAP provides temporary food assistance in the form of a one-time payment to low-to-moderate income households who lost income or sustained property damage following a disaster. To qualify for D-SNAP, Georgians must:

• Live or work in one of the counties declared by FEMA for Individual and Public Assistance at the time of the disaster
• Not currently receive food assistance through the regular SNAP program
• Have suffered a disaster-related loss to property or income, including incurring expenses related to the disaster
• Provide proof of identity for the head of household and authorized representative (if applicable)
• Meet financial eligibility requirements

Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for D-SNAP and should not apply.

For more information on the program, visit dfcs.georgia.gov/d-snap.

Replacement SNAP

Georgia residents in Hurricane Helene's affected areas who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in September can report food lost due to power outages related to the Hurricane. To report losses click here.

Disaster Unemployment

How to File for Unemployment Benefits in Georgia

If you’re seeking unemployment assistance, including potential federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), here’s what you need to know to get started. The first step is filing a regular state unemployment claim. This information sheet will guide you through setting up an account, filing your claim, and understanding your responsibilities as a claimant. Click here for more information.

Crisis Cleanup

Crisis Cleanup is a collaborative disaster work order management platform that improves coordination, reduces duplication of efforts, improves efficiency, and improves volunteers' experience.

If you need assistance cleaning damages from Hurricane Helene, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386. 

Please note that the Crisis Cleanup hotline has been extended until November 1, 2024.

Report Damages

Should you have damages to your home, business, or any other property, it's important to report them promptly. You can do so by visiting https://damage-assessment-gema-soc.hub.arcgis.com/ and selecting the Report Damage button. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code provided for hassle-free reporting.

Local Emergency Management Agencies

If you need assistance, contact your local Emergency Management Agency. Click here to find the listing of all Georgia EMAs.

Hurricane Response Business Resources

Hurricane Helene left devastating impacts, and businesses like yours have a critical role to play in the recovery efforts. Whether you're a local business or part of a global organization, your support can make a significant difference in helping affected communities rebuild and recover. For real-time updates and emergency resources for business operations across Georgia throughout the impact and recovery of Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, visit https://georgia.org/operations-alert for more information.

Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP)

EPAP is a federal initiative managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides an efficient way for community pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications, vaccines, limited medical supplies, and durable medical equipment (DME) for individuals from disaster areas declared by the President. To learn more, click here.

Donations 

Monetary

If you'd like to contribute financially to support the individuals in Georgia impacted by Hurricane Helene, we have compiled a list of counties where your donations will be greatly appreciated.

Sheltering Location

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has opened shelters in several hurricane-stricken areas. To view the listing, click here.

Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse, or Mismanagement in Disaster Relief Operations

If you, as an applicant or state partner, have knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement related to disaster relief operations, you can report it directly to FEMA or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). You may choose to request confidentiality or submit your complaint anonymously.

How to Report:

1. FEMA Fraud Branch:
   • Email: [email protected]
   • Fax: (202) 212-4926
   • Mail:
     • FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division
       400 C Street SW
       Mail Stop 3005
       Washington, DC 20472-3005