(ATLANTA) – Governor Brian Kemp has announced residents in 41 Georgia counties affected by Hurricane Helene are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance.  

The Major Disaster Declaration provides Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A and B) to Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, and Wheeler Counties. 

"The Major Disaster Declaration will begin to provide critical resources to the limited counties designated for Hurricane Helene. We are hopeful once more of the impacted areas receive proper damage assessments, the Declaration will add the necessary counties for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance Categories A through G, including increased federal cost shares for both emergency and permanent work,” said GEMA/HS Director, Chris Stallings. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our residents, and we will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal partners to provide the support needed during this challenging time."  

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. 

The 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.  

Individuals in these designated counties can apply for assistance in any of the following ways: 

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Calling 1-800-621-3362
  • People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

For more information on the Major Disaster Declaration, Public Assistance, or Individual Assistance, please email [email protected], and for Individual Assistance, email [email protected]. 

### 

As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state, and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.