FEMA is offering resettlement assistance to survivors of Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby in Georgia

Below is additional information about FEMA disaster relief.

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Resettlement assistance

FEMA is providing resettlement assistance to eligible survivors of Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, which caused damage August 4-20, 2024, who are unable to return to their homes following the storms. This is money that people can use to stay in a hotel or motel, with family and friends, or other available accommodation options. After 14 days of receiving this assistance, Georgians who still need housing should contact FEMA and request rental assistance.

Who can receive resettlement assistance?

You can get help with resettlement if:


• You or someone in your household is a U.S. citizen, a non-U.S. citizen, or a qualifying non-U.S. citizen;
• FEMA can confirm your identity;
• Your home is located in a Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Debby disaster area;
• You live in your home most of the year;
• A FEMA inspection determines that your home is unsafe to live in or cannot be inspected because your home is inaccessible;
• You do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover additional maintenance costs or loss of use; AND
• You apply for FEMA assistance during the enrollment period.

How much resettlement assistance can I receive?

The amount you will receive is based on your hotel costs for 14 days and the rate selected by the state of Georgia. The resettlement allowance is a one-off payment.

FEMA can provide up to two weeks of funds for temporary accommodation in a hotel, motel, or home of friends or family for displaced applicants who apply during the registration period.

Can I still apply for resettlement assistance if I have insurance?

• Yes. If you have insurance, check whether your policy covers additional living expenses or loss of use and contact your insurance company.
• If your insurance denies your claim or you do not have this type of insurance, you may be able to apply for resettlement assistance.
• If you have insurance and have used up all of your Supplemental Living Costs or Loss of Use benefits, you will not receive relocation assistance, but you can get rental assistance by sending FEMA documents that show you have spent these benefits and still need help with paying for temporary housing.
– NOTE: FEMA must review your insurance records because FEMA cannot cover costs covered by another source, such as insurance.

What if I have greater housing needs?
If you received Relocation Assistance and still have housing needs after 14 days, you can apply for rental assistance from FEMA. You can ask for it:
• Call the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362
• Submitting the application in writing
• Talk to a local FEMA representative in your area

You won’t need to provide other documents to get rental assistance.

If I disagree with FEMA’s decision, how can I appeal?

If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you can file an appeal showing why you need FEMA’s assistance. The decision letter you receive from FEMA will provide more information about the types of documents you should send.


You may use the optional appeal request form included in the decision letter you receive from FEMA. You can also write and sign a letter that will be sent with your documents to help FEMA understand why you need help.

How can I send documents?

You can submit supporting documents to FEMA by:
• Transfer to your Disaster Assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Mail to FEMA, PO Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
• Fax to 800-827-8112
• Visit to a disaster recovery center. To find center locations and current operating hours, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.

For the latest information on Georgia’s economic recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4821 and fema.gov/disaster/4830. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

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FEMA is urging residents to spend their grant money wisely

If you are a Georgia disaster survivor who received a federal disaster relief grant from FEMA following Tropical Storm Debby August 4-20, 2024 or Hurricane Helene, it is important to use this money only for expenses related to natural disaster.

To help you make sure you use the money you receive, FEMA sends a letter explaining what you can use the funds for and listing how you can use them. Disaster relief grants are not intended for regular living expenses. You should keep receipts for all expenses for at least three years because FEMA may require you to repay the grant if you spend it for something other than what it was intended for.

Examples of expenses covered by this grant include:
• Home renovations such as structure, plumbing and septic systems.
• Rental assistance with rent and/or deposit.
• Repair or replacement of a flooded vehicle.
• Medical or dental care for uninsured injuries caused by a natural disaster.
• Repair of specialized professional tools.
• Necessary educational materials such as computers, textbooks, school supplies.
• Disaster-related moving and storage costs.
• Increased childcare expenses.

Read the FEMA decision letter carefully and make sure it includes all required documents and information.

It is also important to ensure that FEMA has the most up-to-date contact information, including addresses, phone numbers and bank accounts. If FEMA does not have your correct information, you may miss letters or phone calls regarding your aid application or payment status.

If you have any questions about FEMA disaster relief grants, call the FEMA hotline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. EST. Help is available in most languages.

For the latest information on Georgia’s economic recovery, visit FEMA’s Hurricane Debby Georgia page or FEMA’s Hurricane Helene Georgia page. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

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Help for the unemployed

Employees or self-employed Georgians who lost their jobs as a direct result of Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene may be eligible for federal disaster unemployment assistance. Receiving this assistance does not affect your ability to apply for or receive other FEMA assistance.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a FEMA-funded, state-administered federal program that assists workers whose basic income has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a Presidential-declared disaster. Unlike regular state unemployment insurance, it provides benefits to self-employed workers, farmers, diversified farm operators, loggers, commission workers and others who do not qualify under the state program.

In Georgia, application deadlines depend on the disaster declaration dates.

For Tropical Storm Debby:

• November 25 for residents of Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven counties.

For Hurricane Helene:

• December 2 for residents of Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties.

• December 3 for residents of Effingham, Elbert, Rabun and Tift counties.

• December 6 for residents of Brantley, Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Dodge, Fulton, Glynn, Hancock, Long, McIntosh, Newton, Thomas, Warren and Wayne counties.

Additional counties may be added at a later date. Visit the Georgia Department of Labor’s Disaster Unemployment Assistance website to learn what you need to file a claim and for a list of facts about disaster benefits.

To apply for disaster unemployment benefits, Georgians must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any GDOL career center. Only those who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance may be considered eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.

The Georgia Department of Labor will notify you if you are eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Income verification may be required when applying for these benefits. Individuals should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the last tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of most recently completed tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payments, or similar documents.

Additional information about disaster unemployment assistance can be found at dol.georgia.gov or by calling the Georgia Department of Labor’s toll-free customer service line at 1-877-709-8185.

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For the latest information on Georgia’s economic recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4821 and fema.gov/disaster/4830. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.