Updated FEMA Programs Better Assist People with Disabilities

FEMA funding to make certain accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a declared disaster is available to eligible survivors with disabilities. Recent updates in FEMA Individual Assistance programs provide disaster support by increasing accessibility and eligibility for affected people, families and communities.

Displacement Assistance

If you cannot return to your home, you may receive up-front funds to assist with arranging other housing. Funds help you pay for expenses while you look for a rental option. Displacement Assistance requires an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided. This immediate short-term funding can also help pay for accessible accommodations, like one-story short-term housing, and housing approved for service animals.

Habitability Criteria

FEMA simplified its definition of "habitability" to include repairs to homes with previous damage that were made worse by the disaster. This helps applicants with medical or health-related needs be able to repair their home even if it was in bad condition before the disaster.

Accessibility Improvements

South Carolinians with disabilities may use FEMA funding to make some accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a federally declared disaster. You can make your home more accessible than it was before the disaster with specific items, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars and paved pathways. These items are eligible if they were not present before the disaster and are necessary to make the damaged home safe and functional for someone who has a pre-existing or disaster-caused disability. This assistance does not count against the federal Housing Assistance maximum.

Temporary Housing Assistance Applications

Requirements are easier to meet for applicants who need to extend their stay in temporary housing. This means less documentation is necessary if you need more help paying for a place to stay.

Streamlined DisasterAssistance.gov Website

Applying for disaster assistance is now faster and easier on the DisasterAssistance.gov website. If you use assistive technologies to navigate websites, you will find that applying for assistance is more visual, easier to navigate and more accessible than before.

How To Apply for FEMA Assistance

If you have not applied for FEMA assistance yet, you can still submit your application. Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation who were affected by Hurricane Helene are eligible to apply for FEMA assistance.

You can apply in several ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• In person at any Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center close to you, visit fema.gov/DRC, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Example: "DRC 29169").
• On your phone using the FEMA mobile app.
• By calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link. FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

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