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Hurricane Helene Resources and Information


 

NASW-NC has compiled this list of resources for individuals living in Western North Carolina, as well as those who are wanting to help those affected by Hurricane Helene. As social workers, it is our duty to help our clients and communities be ready for and respond to emergencies. NASW-NC will continue to update this page with new information as it becomes available. You can view NASW-NC's general Disaster Resources page here.

 

Click here for NASW-NC statement on Hurricane Helene Disaster Response.

 

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NASW-NC will update this section with information from the Governor's office, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and more.

 

 

Important: What you need to know about practicing with a social work license in North Carolina and across state lines.

At this time, the Board is not waiving 21 N.C. Admin 63 .0213 and will continue to require out-of-state social workers either to limit the provision of social work services to five (5) days of practice per G.S. 90B-4(b), or to submit an application for temporary licensure per 21 N.C. Admin. Code 63 .0213.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

VolunteerNC is looking for volunteers to help serve our state with disaster services. The information you provide will be shared with NC VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.) These organizations work together to support disaster response and recovery in North Carolina.

Click here to submit your information!

 

The American Red Cross seeks Disaster Mental Health Volunteers. They are expediting those living within 60 miles of the affected area. There are licensure requirements, significant disaster mental health training is required and 10-14 day deployments are part of the volunteer time. This volunteer opportunity will not be immediate but this will be an ongoing need.

 

Mental Health Provider List: Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Helene

 

Donate to NC Disaster Relief Fund

 

Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from catastrophic damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene. “There is a massive effort underway to get help to the people of Western North Carolina including state and federal relief but we know there will be additional needs,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “If you’re able to give, please consider a donation to help North Carolinians as they clean up and recover from Helene.” To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.

Donations can also be mailed to

  • NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312.
  • Or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511.

Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made will go to disaster relief.

 

National Organizations:

Sources: WRAL, Asheville Citizen Times


Local Organizations:


If you are looking to donate directly to organizations serving Western North Carolina, please see the below list. Please note that many of these organizations have not updated their websites, but are still accepting donations.

Click here for a list of more organizations accepting donations in multiple states impacted by Hurricane Helene, compiled by Appalachian Voices.

 

Disaster officials remind you that if you want to donate, do it through a disaster relief organization or the government. They publish lists of needed items.

  • Only give items when they are requested
  • Only give items that are on the list of requested items
  • Do not send items directly to the affected area

Before donating to an unfamiliar charity, check them out. One easy method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words "scam" or "fraud." You also can research them at one of the organizations that rate charities: The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Guidestar, or CharityWatch.

 

Sources: WRAL, Asheville Citizen Times, Blue Ridge Public Radio

 


 

 

Mental Health Resources

 

County Resources

 

As donations and efforts to provide humanitarian relief to Western North Carolina residents continue, local residents and those wishing to help are encouraged to tune into trusted local sources for the latest information on meal sites, points of distribution for commodities and specific donation needs for counties.

 

Click here for county by county resources!

 

FEMA Information

 

FEMA has begun to take applications for the Individual Assistance Program. There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

 

FEMA noticia en Español

FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows North Carolinians access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.

What You’ll Need When You Apply:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • A general list of damage and losses.
  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

 

Disaster Unemployment Insurance

 

Following a federal disaster declaration because of Hurricane Helene, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available in 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. People in these counties have 60 days from October 1 to file an application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance at des.nc.gov. The deadline to apply is December 2.

 

Click here for more information!

 

Legal Aid of North Carolina's Disaster Relief Project

 

Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Project is a partnership between the North Carolina Bar Association and Foundation, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Disaster Relief Project provides legal assistance and education to survivors of natural disasters in North Carolina and supports community economic development and equitable long-term recovery and resiliency in disaster-impacted communities. To speak to someone, call 1-866-219-5262 (M-F 8:30am - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday 5:30pm - 8:30pm). The Disaster Relief Project’s services include:

  • Providing disaster survivors with information about their rights following a natural disaster
  • Advocating for clients when they are applying for recovery fund assistance and appealing decisions, when needed
  • Standing up for disaster survivors who were victimized by fraudulent contractors or bad-actor landlords
  • Connecting clients to community resources
  • Clarifying title and property ownership, including providing wills and advanced directives for those who have been affected by a natural disaster
  • Supporting local long-term disaster recovery organizations by writing bylaws, providing document templates, and helping groups incorporate as 501(c)(3) nonprofit
  • Hosting disaster recovery education sessions and legal clinics
  • FEMA appeals
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance and other disaster benefits
  • Insurance claims
  • Home repair contracts and contractor disputes
  • Contractor fraud and consumer protection matters
  • Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster
  • Mortgage-foreclosure
  • Landlord/tenant problems

Callers should identify that they are seeking storm-related legal assistance, ask for Disaster Legal Services assistance, and identify the county in which they are located.

 

The Disability and Disaster Hotline

  • If the storm has impacted you or someone you care for with intellectual and developmental disabilities, resources are available to support you. The Disability and Disaster Hotline, operated by The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, offers critical help for those in need. If you need assistance, please call or text 800-626-4959 or email hotline@disasterstrategies.org. This hotline provides valuable information, referrals, and guidance for individuals with disabilities, their families, and the organizations supporting them. Whether you need technical assistance or immediate resources for disaster-related needs, support is just a call or text away.

Listening Circles

Resources for Resilience is an organization that does trainings across the state around the connections between trauma and resilience. Many of their staff are located in the western part of the state and know first-hand what is happening right now. The organization is offering Listening Circles every day from now until October 18 for anyone in the Western part of the state able to access internet.


From Resources for Resilience:
Big events can hit us hard and affect us in many ways. Listening Circles help us name what is not difficult about them and practice tools that can help with the overwhelm and stress, right now.


We recognize that cell phone service and internet connectivity are still limited in many parts of the region and are working to identify safe locations for in person Listening Circles. In the meantime, WNC residents affected by Hurricane Helene are invited to join us online as we lean on one another and highlight what is getting us through this difficult time.

Where: Drop in on Zoom at https://bit.ly/WNCListens

When: 12-1 PM EST, every day through October 18

 

More Resources

Noticias en Español


Disability Rights NC has a list of resources available in Spanish. Click here to access them.

 

Sources: ABC11, Asheville Citizen Times, WXII

 

 

After a disaster, if you’re a Veteran, you can find help and support through the VA and other resources on this page.


Veterans Crisis Line
If you are a Veteran in crisis – or you’re concerned about one – free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available by phone, text, or chat:

  • Dial 988 then Press 1.
  • Send a text to 838255.
  • Chat online
  • Support for deaf and hard of hearing: Call 1-800-799-4889.

Contact the VA
To contact the VA with questions or for information, you can use either of the following to reach us:

  • MyVA411 main information line: 1-800-698-2411, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Ask VA

Updates and Resources from the VA

  • This page is dedicated to disseminating critical updates concerning the emergency response to Hurricane Helene, specifically aimed at local veterans who may be at risk, as well as the staff involved in the response efforts.

 

Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
You can also visit any VA facility to get help. Go to the Find VA Locations page to find a local facility near you.

 

VA may place mobile support vehicles in your disaster area to offer easy access to health care and prescription refills. We may also stage Public Contact Teams at local shelters or in Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).

 

These resources can help all who qualify with the following:

  • Identifying Veteran status.
  • Evaluating available benefits (including medical, prescription, and other benefits).
  • Assisting with housing case management.

To speak with the VHA about any of the resources in this section, please call:

  • 1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

Guide and Service Dogs

  • For expenses incurred for your service dog as part of a disaster, contact your Sensory Aids representative for help.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders - VA Outreach Program

  • If you or a Veteran you care for has a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury, is homebound, and needs assistance, someone from the VA should contact you.

Caregiver Support

  • 1-855-260-3274
  • If you are the caregiver of a Veteran, contact us about our Caregiver Support Program. The program offers training, resources, and tools to help you succeed.

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
To learn more about the resources in this section, please call the numbers provided below. Or to speak with the VBA for all other questions, call 1-844-698-2411

 

Were you not able to get a benefit payment after a disaster?
If you or a beneficiary weren’t able to get a benefit payment after a disaster, call our National Call Center. We can guide you on how to request a one-time special payment if you have a financial hardship

  • 1-800-827-1000

VA Home Loans - After a Disaster

  • If you need help making your mortgage payment after a disaster, VA can help. We can do the following for you:
  • Ask loan holders to put a 90-day freeze on foreclosure.
  • Encourage holders to waive late charges.
  • VA may also be able to work with your servicers or loan holder to apply pre-payments already made to your upcoming payment.

Education and Training - GI Bill Beneficiaries

  • 1-888-442-4551
  • If your school closes temporarily due to a disaster, VA will continue payments. Payments continue through the end of the term or up to 4 weeks (28 calendar days) from the date of the closure, whichever is earlier.

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

  • If you are a displaced Veteran and receive employment services from the VA, you may qualify for two additional months of Employee Adjustment Allowance (EAA).
  • The VR&E program also provides eligible Veterans with independent living (IL) services. This can help you function independently within your home and community.

Adapted Housing

  • 1-877-827-3702
  • If your home was adapted through the VA Specially Adapted Housing program, other assistance may be available to you. We may help fund repairs if a disaster damaged or caused the loss of your adapted home.
  • Any new assistance will be based on repair costs your insurance doesn't cover and any previous assistance you got from FEMA for the home.

Automobile Adaptive Allowance

  • 1-800-827-1000
  • If a disaster caused the loss of a previously adapted automobile, you may qualify for assistance. Your insurance must not cover the damage.

eBenefits - Update Contact and Direct Deposit Information After a Disaster

  • After a disaster, the VA can assist with your VA pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments. You can do any of the following to keep your payments on schedule:
    • Update your physical and mailing address.
    • Change your contact information.
    • Set up or make corrections to your pension or compensation direct deposit.
  • You can also visit your local VA Regional Benefits Office for help.

 

Additional Resources for Veterans
In this section, you’ll find other resources for Veterans, their families, or their caregivers. Each one helps expand the path to VA benefits and services.

 

Housing Assistance for Veterans

  • 1-877-424-3838
  • If you qualify, you may have housing options through VA and other joint programs. These options may include re-housing and rental assistance.

Debt Management Center

  • 1-800-827-0648
  • After a disaster, if you have questions about repayment, offsets, hardships, and waivers for debt owed to VA, contact the Debt Management Center.

Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC)

  • Call or text 1-855-829-6636.
  • If you’re a woman Veteran, or their family or caregiver, we provide information about VA services and resources. The call is free and you can call as often as you like: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. ET; Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. ET.

Homeless Veterans

  • 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
  • Explore the website to learn about and share information on VA programs for Veterans who are homeless.
  • Call or visit your local VA Medical Center or Community Resource and Referral Center if you are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
  • Call the number above for you and your family to access VA services.

Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) Directory
If you want to find contacts for VA-approved VSOs and VA state directors, this directory can help.

 

National Archives for Veterans Records
If you need copies of your military service records, you can request them from the National Archives online, by mail, fax, or through eBenefits.

 

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors
The VA benefits book offers a brief overview of common VA benefits and services. It is available online and in print for download.

 

Operating Pharmacies in Counties Affected by Hurricane Helene

  • NC Board of Pharmacy staff have received notice that these pharmacies in the following Western North Carolina counties most impacted by Hurricane Helene are operating and serving patients. The list is updated regularly.

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