FEMA extends registration deadline for Hurricane Matthew survivors

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state of North Carolina’s request for a 14-day extension for Hurricane Matthew survivors to apply for federal disaster assistance.  The new deadline is Monday, Jan. 23.

This is the second extension granted to help those impacted by the hurricane. The state requested more time for survivors because of a notable dip in registrations during the holiday season. Additionally, the weekend’s winter storm may have prevented some people who intended to register from doing so.

The new Jan. 23 deadline to register with FEMA applies to homeowners, renters and businesses submitting applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Gov. Roy Cooper encouraged all those who were impacted by Hurricane Matthew to register with FEMA, even those who have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured you may receive help after your claim has been settled.

Registration is open to survivors in 45 counties designated for Individual Assistance, including: Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Wake, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.

Registering with FEMA is the first step to federal disaster assistance. To register:

For more information, Hurricane Matthew survivors can visit one of the three open Disaster Recovery Centers. The centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA, North Carolina Emergency Management and SBA. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates about applications. To locate the center nearest you, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, use the ReadyNC and FEMA mobile apps, or go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or ReadyNC.org.

Survivors requiring a reasonable accommodation such as American Sign Language interpreting, Braille, large print, etc. while visiting a disaster recovery center may call the helpline numbers for support. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at FEMA.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Matthew, visit the disaster web pages at FEMA.gov/disaster/4285 or ReadyNC.org.