Hurricane Helene struck as a powerful category 4 storm, causing widespread damage from Florida to the mountains of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. A week after the hurricane hit, hundreds of people are still missing, and over 200 lives have been lost. This is the highest death toll from a hurricane in the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the number may continue to rise.
Many people on social media are expressing concern that the federal government is not doing enough to help those affected by the hurricane. A post that has been viewed over 12 million times on X (Twitter) claims that FEMA is only giving survivors $750. Similar claims are spreading on Facebook, comparing disaster relief spending to the government’s foreign aid budget.
While it is true that FEMA offers $750 to help with essential needs like food and water, this is just one type of assistance available. According to FEMA, this aid is called Serious Needs Assistance, which helps people pay for important items after a disaster. However, survivors can apply for many other forms of assistance as well.
FEMA has introduced two new programs this year to make it easier for disaster victims to get help. One is Serious Needs Assistance, which provides $750 for essentials. The other is Displacement Assistance, which covers hotel or motel costs while victims find long-term housing.
In addition to these programs, FEMA offers various other types of assistance, including:
– Home Repair/Replacement Assistance
– Rental Assistance
– Personal Property Assistance (for things like appliances and computers)
– Medical and Dental Assistance for disaster-related injuries
– Funeral Assistance
– Child Care Assistance
People can apply for disaster relief through several channels: the website DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app, local disaster recovery centers, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
As of October 4, FEMA has provided $45 million in disaster relief, including $23 million for Florida, $17 million for North Carolina, and $4.5 million for South Carolina.
Some social media users have incorrectly claimed that FEMA’s disaster response funds are being used for foreign aid and immigration. FEMA clarified that its disaster response funds come from the Disaster Relief Fund, which is specifically designated for disaster recovery.
On October 3, FEMA stated that it currently has enough funding for immediate response and recovery efforts, and more money is expected to be allocated for ongoing relief following Hurricane Helene.
From 1992 to 2021, nearly 75% of the Disaster Relief Fund’s money came from additional appropriations from Congress, especially in response to disasters. Hurricanes accounted for about 44% of this fund’s spending during that period.
Since 2020, nearly $20 billion has been allocated to the Disaster Relief Fund each year. In 2020, 2021, and 2023, the fund received more than $40 billion from Congress.
If you or someone you know has been affected by Hurricane Helene, it’s important to explore all available assistance options to get the help you need.
