Resources for Disaster Recovery

Practical Resources to Help You

By Amanda Stone
October 7, 2024
assistance, disaster, fema, helene, hurricane, insurance, legal, small business, storm, tax relief, unemployment

Many counties, including Lexington, were declared disaster areas due to the impact of Hurricane Helene.

How can I apply for disaster assistance?

If you were impacted by the hurricane, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) may be able to help you with recovery-related costs. For more information, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. When applying for assistance, you’ll need the following:

Social security number (including your spouse’s)
Private insurance information, if available
Address and zip code of the damaged property
Description of the damage caused by the disaster
Total annual household income at the time of the disaster
Directions to the damaged home or property
A telephone number where FEMA can reach you or leave a message
An address where you can get mail
If you want your disaster assistance funds sent directly to your bank, you must provide FEMA with your bank name, bank account type (savings/checking), account number and routing number.

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will be at the Lexington County Public Library, located at 5440 Augusta Road, Lexington, Wednesday 10/16/24 from 10am – 5pm.

This is for residents to receive help registering into the FEMA systems and answer any questions you may have.

What if I have questions about insurance?

If you have questions about filing claims for homeowners or automobile insurance, the South Carolina Department of Insurance has answers to frequently asked questions. For more information and tips on disaster recovery, visit South Carolina Department of Insurance.

What help is available if I couldn’t work during the disaster?

If you were out of work because of the disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. For more information about disaster unemployment assistance, visit South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

What about small businesses?

If you are in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information, visit SBA Disaster Assistance. Lexington Main will be hosting an SBA Business Recovery Center for scheduled in-person appointments. Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income because of the disaster may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. For more information, visit South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

Is there any tax relief available?

The IRS has announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal tax returns and payments. For more information, visit IRS Tax Relief in Disaster Situations.

What if I have legal questions?

The South Carolina Bar will soon have a toll-free legal aid hotline available to victims of storm-related damage. When the hotline opens, call (803) 799-6653, ext. 120 or (803) 576-3815 and leave a message requesting assistance.

Other Resources

United Way of the Midlands (211): A non-emergency line to talk to local specialists who connect them with the services they need. Visit www.uway.org/helene or call 2-1-1.
Hurricane Helene Information Line: Citizens who have questions about Helene can now call the state’s toll-free hotline, 1-866-246-0133.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline: A national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.