FEMA assistance can help people in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilkes counties who are self-employed, including farmers, ranch hands, artists, musicians and mechanics.
Eligible Occupational Tools
FEMA can help replace tools and equipment required for self-employment, or not provided by an employer but required for employment. Eligible tools may include:
- Computers
- Equipment such as power tools, art materials, musical instruments, tractors, utility vehicles, lawnmowers and ladders
- Uniforms
You may be able to get reimbursed for these items if they were damaged by Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Debby, Aug. 4–20, 2024, you do not have another working item, and the loss was not covered by insurance.
Required Documents
To be eligible for self-employment assistance, apply for FEMA assistance. When you apply, include:
- Documentation that proves you’re self-employed, such as a tax return,
- Insurance documents for all potential coverages and benefits,
- Itemized receipts or estimates for repairing or replacing the requested items, and
- A written statement that explains you need the items for self-employment.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. You can find available centers at fema.gov/drc. The phone line is open daily, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. The deadline for applications is Jan. 7, 2025.
For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.