June 15, 2020
FEMA-4542-DR NR 017
FEMA News Desk: 877-568-9040
South Carolina News Desk: 803-737-8515
News Release
South Carolina: Spend FEMA Grant Wisely
COLUMBIA, S.C. – More than 600 South Carolina households have received FEMA grants to help them recover from the April 13 storms.
It is important to remember that the funds are to be used only for certain disaster-related expenses. FEMA may audit survivors to confirm they spent grants for basic home repairs, replacing essential household items or paying for somewhere to stay if they cannot return home.
FEMA sends survivors letters that detail approved uses for grants. These may include:
- Repairs to make a home habitable
- Rental assistance to temporarily pay for a place to stay
- Repair or replacement of a disaster-damaged essential vehicle
- Medical care for an injury caused by the disaster
- Replacing clothing, occupational tools and educational materials
- Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
Rental assistance grants are provided for temporary housing when a disaster leaves your home uninhabitable or inaccessible.
Disaster grants should not be used for travel, entertainment, regular living expenses or any discretionary expenses not related to the disaster. Survivors should keep receipts for three years to show how they spent FEMA grants.
Survivors in Aiken, Barnwell, Berkeley, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties have until Tuesday, June 30 to apply for federal disaster help.
Register for assistance in one of three ways:
- Online by logging onto DisasterAssistance.gov
- The FEMA app. Visit: fema.gov/mobile-app or your phone’s app store.
- Call 800-621-3362 or TDD 800-462-7585. Language translators also are available. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Multilingual operators are available.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TDD call 800-462-7585.