Rumor: Line workers working to restore power in North Carolina went on strike because FEMA had not paid them for weeks.

Fact

This is false. FEMA does not pay line workers directly. Electrical cooperative, private electrical or private communications and cable companies pay their employees and contractors.

In some situations, FEMA may reimburse eligible rural electrical cooperatives providing a governmental service for expenses resulting from a disaster through Public Assistance grants, but the agency does not pay workers directly. Private for-profit companies are not eligible for Public Assistance grants.