FEMA assistance is not taxable.
Applying for disaster assistance will not affect other federal benefits you may receive.
Accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security – including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs.
Disaster funds help survivors pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs, essential personal property replacement, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.
If you live in Mercer County, W.Va., and you had loss or damage from the Sept. 25-28, 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Helene, FEMA may be able to help.
- Visit your nearest Disaster Recovery Center. Get the latest disaster recovery center information by calling 800-621-3362 or going online to www.fema.gov/drc.
- The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center location and hours are as follows:
| Princeton Disaster Recovery Center |
|---|
Lifeline Princeton Church of God 250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sundays |
- DRCs are accessible to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
- Call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service;
- Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov
FEMA disaster assistance does not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.
You should register even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you have losses insurance doesn’t cover, you may receive help from FEMA after your insurance claims are settled.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to: FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance
The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4851 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.