Be a Good Georgia Neighbor

Have you checked in with your friends, family and neighbors who were impacted by Hurricane Idalia? In Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Glynn and Lowndes counties, it’s the perfect time to check on elderly neighbors and others who may need support to apply for FEMA assistance.

Contact neighbors, family and friends to find out if they have applied for FEMA disaster assistance that may help with uninsured or underinsured damage or loss to their property. Applying for assistance may give survivors access to a variety of resources available from state agencies, FEMA, and local and private nonprofit organizations. Be neighborly to help make sure everyone impacted gets the recovery assistance they need. The last day to apply is Nov. 6, 2023.

Help Apply

Have your friends, family and neighbors applied for disaster assistance? If they have not, you can help them: 

• Apply in person at any Disaster Recovery Center. These DRCs are open through these dates:
  • Brooks County, 400 E. Courtland Ave., Quitman, is open through 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2.
  • Cook County, 206 East Ninth St., Adel, is open through 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6.
• Apply online by creating an account at DisasterAssistance.gov,
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Multilingual operators are available.

Help Appeal

Did your friend, family or neighbor receive a determination letter from FEMA stating they are ineligible for assistance? Read through their letter with them, as it explains the next steps they should take in their application process. They may simply need to submit additional information or documentation for FEMA to continue processing the application. 

However, if they believe FEMA needs to reconsider its decision, they are entitled to appeal that decision. You can help them write and file their appeal letter. For instructions on how to file an appeal, visit fema_how-write-appeal_square.jpg (4502×5475) or fema_how-write-appeal_square_spanish.jpg (4502×5475) .

Help Relieve Stress

Is your friend, family or neighbor concerned about benefits? Applying for FEMA disaster assistance does not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP) or other federal benefit programs. Recipients do not have to repay FEMA grants and FEMA grants do not have to be reported on tax returns. 

For the latest information on Georgia’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit fema.gov/disaster/4738, follow FEMA on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/femaregion4 and at facebook.com/fema.