Residents in 63 Georgia counties who were affected by Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene now have more time to apply for federal help. FEMA has extended the application deadline to February 7, 2025.
This extension is for people who experienced damage from Tropical Storm Debby in August and Hurricane Helene in late September and October.
To apply, residents can visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use services like Video Relay Service or captioned phones, be sure to provide your service number. You can also visit a local Disaster Recovery Center. For center locations and hours, check online at fema.gov/drc.
FEMA can offer assistance for needs not covered by insurance, including:
- Rental help for those who can’t live in their homes due to storm damage
- Reimbursement for lodging costs if temporarily relocated
- Basic home repairs for primary residences
- Replacement of personal property that was damaged or destroyed
- Help with other essential needs caused by the storms
Remember, survivors should only submit one application per household. FEMA does not provide compensation for lost or spoiled food, and they can’t duplicate benefits already covered by insurance or other sources.
Before applying, have the following ready:
- A phone number where you can be reached
- Your address at the time of the storm
- Your current address
- The Social Security Number of one household member
- A list of your damage and losses
- Bank details for direct deposit optional
- Your insurance information, including your policy number
If you have insurance, FEMA advises filing your claims quickly since they can’t cover losses already covered by insurance. However, they may help with costs not fully covered by your policy.
Make sure to keep all receipts for cleanup and repairs related to storm recovery.