FEMA ENSURES EQUAL ACCESS TO RECOVERY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL HURRICANE
IAN SURVIVORS
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-ensures-equal-access-recovery-assistance-all-hurricane-ian-survivors]


Release Date: 
Dec 6, 2022 

The state of South Carolina and FEMA are committed to providing equal
access to all state and federal disaster assistance programs while
helping residents recover from Hurricane Ian.

All residents of CHARLESTON, GEORGETOWN AND HORRY counties who had
property damage or other losses caused by Hurricane Ian are encouraged
to apply for a grant from FEMA to help pay for essential home repairs
or other serious disaster-related needs not covered by your insurance
or other sources. FEMA also provides referrals to its federal, state
and local partners as well as to community and volunteer agencies that
participate in the recovery program.

FEMA offers free services to help survivors communicate with FEMA
personnel on the phone or at the three Disaster Recovery Centers open
in CHARLESTON, GEORGETOWN AND HORRY counties. Information on FEMA
programs is available in accessible electronic formats on FEMA’s
website and on social media.

Disaster Recovery Centers have assistive technology equipment; Video
Remote Interpreting is also available and in-person sign language is
available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps
and restrooms.

For people with disabilities and access or functional needs, or those
who communicate in languages other than English, FEMA can provide:

 	* Qualified multilingual interpreters and printed material in
multiple languages
 	* Qualified American Sign Language interpreters
 	* Real-time captioning as well as information in Braille,
large-print, audio and electronic versions

Here are the ways to apply for FEMA disaster assistance:

 	* Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
[https://urldefense.us/v3/__http:/www.DisasterAssistance.gov__;!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!V9qeEBYrSNZdnN1w1BSQaAnDtEznFBy6nbCyjLlwEVgoobGfHobimOjzCseDAmd-rAAVxALAdw$]
 	* Use the FEMA mobile app
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-app-text-messages];
or

	* Call the FEMA HELPLINE AT 800-621-3362. 

 	* Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay
service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the
number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and
lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish.
Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.

 	* For an accessible video on how to apply, go to
youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw]

For the latest information on South Carolina’s recovery from
Hurricane Ian, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4677
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4677]. You may also follow
https://twitter.com/SCEMD [https://twitter.com/SCEMD,or];
@FEMARegion4/Twitter [https://twitter.com/femaregion4] and
Facebook.com/FEMA [https://www.facebook.com/FEMA/].

 

# # #

_FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after
disasters._

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination
on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment),
sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability,
limited English proficiency or economic status. If you believe your
civil rights are being violated, call the Civil Rights Resource line
at 833-285-7448.