Resources for Hurricane Helene Recovery
FEMA has declared Individual Assistance (IA) for Hurricane Helene. What does this mean for you? It means that you can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA to help offset your disaster-related expenses. You can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by telephone at (800) 621-3362. Otherwise, you can download the FEMA weather app from Google PlayStore or the Apple Store and you can apply for assistance on the app and upload receipts. Whichever method you choose, the form has a few questions that are tricky. To avoid delay, please follow the following tips:
1. One of the questions that FEMA will ask when you register is “Do You Have Emergency Needs”? This means during your evacuation or since staying at home during the disaster, do you need help with Gas, Medication, Food (meals, water, had no power and everything spoils), Shelter (you are staying with friends, family or in a hotel); Clothing; or Durable Medical Equipment (oxygen, walkers, cane, glasses, all major equipment, etc). If this is true, say “YES” to this question. That will result in your receiving Displacement / Critical Needs Assistance, which is $750.
2. When asked if your home is/was accessible, answer "NO" if there was debris, tree branches, continued flooding, loss of power, damage or destruction that prevented you from staying there after Helene. This question is asking whether you can stay at your home or apartment and will trigger the ability for you to receive assistance to pay for hotels or provide funding to use while you stay with family or friends.
3. When asked if utilities are out, say "YES" even if your utilities were out for a few days. This triggers assistance $ to stay somewhere other than your home or to buy fuel to power a generator.
4. When asked “Are you willing to relocate” say "YES" if you cannot live in your home due to damage, loss of power, etc. This question means you are willing to stay in a hotel or apartment temporarily, and triggers that funding for you. It is not asking if you are willing to move away from your home permanently.
5. If you bought or buy a generator, FEMA will reimburse you up to $629, but you must submit the receipt. If you bought a chainsaw, FEMA will reimburse you up to $219. Again, you need to provide the receipt. Save your receipts.
Your HR Department is working to help with employee assistance in the areas listed below.
- Debris clearing and house tarping for employees WITHIN the city limits.
- Filing FEMA assistance applications. To complete the form on your own, use this link https://www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. During the on-line application process, you will need a Login.gov account if you don’t already have one. This may be the same login used when completing FEMA classes online.
- The following information will be needed.
- Social Security Number
- If you have homeowners or renters’ insurance, the company name. You may still file if you don’t have coverage.
- Damage Information
- Annual Household Income
- Contact Information
- Bank Account Information
Contact: Lu Ann Welter for these needs. Human_Resources@hvlnc.gov
EAN: All city employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program benefits with Employee Assistance Network. Employees or dependents do not have to be on the city's insurance to participate.
Although their local offices have been affected by the hurricane, they have counselors in other areas available by phone to provide resources and brief telephone or virtual counseling.
To access this service, call 828-252-5725 or 800-454-1477 and listen for the prompts on how to access your employee assistance benefit and receive resources and brief counseling.
Help Hotlines
- Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463). Available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, this number connects North Carolinians to mental health and resilience supports to help them cope and build resilience during times of crisis. Health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders, healthcare workers, and their families can also call the Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) for mental health and resilience support as they work on the front lines.
- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: just dial 988 or text them. Live chat also available at https://chat.988lifeline.org/
- National Suicide Prevention Line: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Emergency substance abuse (SAMHSA) helpline: 800-662-4357
- Disaster Distress Helpline (for any emotional stress): 800-985-5990 or text them (español: presiona 2).
- Veterans Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net. Call 988 (Press 1). Text 838255
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat
- Women Veterans Call Center: www.womenshealth.va.gov. Call 855-829-6636
- Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program: www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
- VA Caregiver Support Line: www.caregiver.va.gov Call 855-260-3274
- Ontrack Financial- 828-255-5166 or https://ontrackwnc.org
- The Well-Adjusted Chiropractic and Wellness Center is offering Free Adjustments for City Staff. Monday 7th - Thursday 10th, call or text (828) 698-7888 to make an appointment.)
- Pardee at Work is back at their 835 Fleming Street location. If you need a wellness appointment, please call and schedule at (828) 694-4560.
Your HR Department is working to help with employee assistance in the areas listed below.
- Debris clearing and house tarping for employees WITHIN the city limits.
- Filing FEMA assistance applications. To complete the form on your own, use this link https://www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362. During the on-line application process, you will need a Login.gov account if you don’t already have one. This may be the same login used when completing FEMA classes online.
- The following information will be needed.
- Social Security Number
- If you have homeowners or renters insurance, the company name. You may still file if you don’t have coverage.
iii. Damage Information
- Annual Household Income
- Contact Information
- Bank Account Information
- Basic necessities such as clothing and shoes.
Current needs are:
Men’s XL tops
Men’s size 36/32
Size 11 shoes
Hygiene products
Medium sized dog bed.
Contact: Lu Ann Welter or Jessica Pomerleau for these needs. Human_Resources@hvlnc.gov
- ICS Form 214 are for individuals that worked during the Hurricane Helene event.
- Both hourly and salary.
- Needs to be completed for the operating periods worked beginning 09/26.
- Two periods per day - 8AM-8PM/8PM-8AM.
- Can use miliary or regular time.
- If worked during both operating periods, may use one form but must distinguish on the detail section work performed during each period.
- Only complete for operating period worked - do not need to complete if you didn't work.
- Only needs to be completed by individuals who worked outside the scope of their normal duties (i.e. mitigating activities in the wake of Hurricane Helene)
- ICS Form 214 fillable Adobe temple - Form 214
- Put completed and signed forms in the completed ICS forms folders (located here)
- Folders organized via operating period
- Sub folders organized via EOC branches
- Sub folders created through 10/03 - branch heads: please create/color coded folders for your branch going forward
- May sign forms in Adobe or provide hard copies to EOC branch heads, which will need to be scanned and placed in sub folder.
- If you are not sure how to complete the form, please see the EOC branch head supervising/delegating the work you performed.
- For Exempt Employees - Please continue to fill out the Exempt EEs worked tab in the Ops staffing spreadsheet as well.
- EOC branch heads - please be on the look out for an email with information concerning ICS Forms 204.
Need to check on the status of your ICS form submissions? Please visit the Hurricane Helene Form 214 Tracker.