South Carolina – Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, South Carolina residents are being given a longer lifeline for vital recovery help. Providing much-needed relief to impacted areas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of South Carolina announced longer deadlines for both disaster unemployment aid and transitional shelters programs.
Extended deadline for disaster unemployment assistance
Workers in South Carolina who lost their jobs or suffered disruptions from Hurricane Helene now have until January 7 to seek disaster unemployment aid. This reflects the revised application deadline for other FEMA-related aid programs.
Accessible through the state’s unemployment insurance benefits system, the unemployment aid provides money help to those fulfilling particular requirements. Those eligible include workers who have lost their jobs, self-employed individuals, and small business owners who suffered income losses due to the hurricane’s impact.
Those who were injured, became the main earners following a death connected to a disaster, or were unable to get to their jobs because of the storm qualify also qualify for help. Weekly benefits vary based on the applicant’s situation from $150 to $326.
Those living in the following counties qualify to apply: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick, Orangeburg, Saluda. Applications may be sent to the Department of Employment and Workforce at 1-866-831-1724 or the My Benefits Portal at dew.sc.gov.
For those still fighting to get back on their feet after the hurricane tore through their communities, this extension offers essential breathing room.
Transitional shelter assistance extended
Apart from jobless relief, FEMA has extended the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program until January 11. Designed to offer temporary accommodation—that of hotel and motel stays—this program has been a lifeline for thousands of displaced families.
This program has already helped more than 10,000 households; more than a third of these families are moving to long-term housing options. Still, more than 6,000 households stay in hotels or motels as they try to repair their houses or find other permanent residence.
The extension seeks to guarantee that, as recovery initiatives underline, no family is left without a roof over their head. For additional direction and help, FEMA advises citizens still in need of shelter to contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
Support for long-term recovery
Although Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation, the reaction of federal and municipal authorities emphasizes the determination to assist South Carolina towns in rebuilding. Essential elements of the rehabilitation process, programs like TSA and disaster unemployment assistance provide financial aid and temporary housing for families in need.
The longer timelines show a recognition that healing is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Rebuilding businesses, homes, and life in general takes time for many; these extensions offer a vital safety net during a period of uncertainty.
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How to apply
For those impacted, applying for these programs is straightforward but requires timely action. Here’s how you can access the resources:
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Visit the MyBenefits Portal at dew.sc.gov or call 1-866-831-1724 for support. Be sure to gather documentation of employment or self-employment and any proof of disaster-related job loss.
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance: Contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to confirm eligibility and receive assistance with temporary housing arrangements.
South Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene now have more tools to rebuild and recover from with these extensions in place. Officials, however, advise qualified people not to wait to apply as the new deadlines get near.
The resiliency of South Carolina’s people is evidence of their will in the face of hardship even while efforts at recovery go on. The Palmetto State is progressively headed toward a better, more stable future by cooperating and making use of resources at hand.
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Related development
In response to the devastating flooding that struck South Carolina’s Midlands in November, Governor Henry McMaster requested a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to aid recovery efforts in the hardest-hit counties of Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun. The flooding caused extensive damage, with around 100 homes destroyed and total losses estimated at nearly $11 million. The declaration would provide federal assistance, including FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, which offers financial support to residents with uninsured property damage, reducing their burden during the recovery process.
Beyond individual aid, the request encompasses additional FEMA programs to support the broader recovery needs of the region. In particular, the Public Assistance Program would reimburse state and local governments for 75% of the costs incurred during initial emergency responses and recovery. Moreover, Calhoun County would benefit from FEMA assistance designed to meet its specific recovery requirements, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the governor’s appeal for federal support.
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Governor McMaster has also prioritized the inclusion of funding for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program to implement long-term strategies that mitigate risks and enhance resilience against future storms. The success of this disaster declaration is critical for immediate relief and the long-term strengthening of affected communities. If approved, the federal support outlined in the request will play a vital role in helping these communities rebuild and prepare for potential future disasters.
