SOUTH CAROLINA: HURRICANE IAN WEEKLY FACT SHEET – JAN. 13, 2023
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/south-carolina-hurricane-ian-weekly-fact-sheet-jan-13-2023]


Release Date: 
Jan 6, 2023 

RECOVERY BY THE NUMBERS 

	* FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved $3.56
MILLION IN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE for survivors of Hurricane Ian, which
hit South Carolina in SEPT. 2022. This includes: 

 	* $2,000,705 in FEMA assistance was approved for individuals and
households, including:

 	* $1,685,155 approved for housing assistance

	* $315,550 approved for other disaster-related needs 

 	* $1,566,600 in SBA disaster loans was approved for homeowners,
renters and businesses

 	* The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is MONDAY, JAN. 23,
2023.

KEY MESSAGES

REGISTRATION FOR FEMA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE CLOSES IN ONE WEEK 

	* Homeowners and renters in CHARLESTON, GEORGETOWN AND HORRY counties
who had damage to their property following Hurricane Ian have until
MONDAY, JAN. 23, to apply for federal disaster assistance. 

 	* To apply for FEMA assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov
[http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov], use the FEMA mobile app
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-app-text-messages]
or call the FEMA HELPLINE AT 800-621-3362. Helpline operators speak
many languages and lines are open from 7 A.M. TO 11 P.M. DAILY. 

GET REPAIR, REBUILDING ADVICE JAN. 10--14 AT THE HOME DEPOT IN MYRTLE
BEACH

	* Residents repairing and rebuilding following Hurricane Ian can
visit The Home Depot in Myrtle Beach to get tips and advice on making
homes stronger and safer against storms and other hazards. 

 	* JAN. 10-14, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; The Home Depot, 951 Oak Forest Lane,
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
 	* JAN. 16-21, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; The Home Depot, 620 Hwy. 17 N, North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

SBA DISASTER LOANS HELP SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS BUILD BACK STRONGER

	* South Carolina residents and business owners whose property
suffered damage due to Hurricane Ian from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4 can
rebuild stronger by applying for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) [https://www.sba.gov/]. The disaster
loan program INCLUDES FUNDING FOR MITIGATION TO REDUCE FUTURE PROPERTY
DAMAGE in a similar disaster.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/mitigation-assistance


 	* Most applicants MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A LOAN INCREASE OF UP TO 20
PERCENT OF THEIR PHYSICAL DAMAGES, as verified by the SBA, to cover
the cost of improvements. MITIGATION LOAN FUNDING IS IN ADDITION TO
THE AMOUNT OF THE APPROVED DISASTER LOAN. Even if residents had most
of their damages covered by insurance, they can apply for a minimal
SBA disaster loan and then apply for low-interest mitigation funding
to make improvements to protect their home or business.

HOW TO DOCUMENT HOME OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPANCY FOR FEMA

 	* As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine
ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences. FEMA has made
it easier for disaster survivors in Charleston, Georgetown and Horry
counties who experienced loss from Hurricane Ian to verify ownership
and occupancy.
fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-document-home-ownership-and-occupancy-fema-0
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-document-home-ownership-and-occupancy-fema-0]

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

	* FREE DISASTER LEGAL ASSISTANCE. Low-income and vulnerable residents
who were affected by Hurricane Ian and who cannot afford their own
lawyer may call the toll-free legal hotline at 877-797-2227, EXT. 120,
or call the South Carolina line at 803-576-3815 to request assistance.
LINES ARE OPEN 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. MONDAY TO FRIDAY. 

 	* Hurricane Ian survivors may also contact South Carolina Legal
Services at 888-346-5592 from 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M. MONDAY TO THURSDAY or
submit a request for disaster legal services at
www.lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake
[http://www.lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake].

HOW TO APPEAL FEMA’S DECISION

 	* The most important part of appealing a FEMA determination is
knowing your deadlines. You have 60 days from the date FEMA has on the
determination letter to send FEMA your appeal.

	* It is important to include the documents or information FEMA
requests and be sure to include a copy of the FEMA determination
letter. FEMA may also request your homeowner’s insurance letters,
proof of occupancy documents, proof of ownership documents or
contractors’ estimates for home repairs. 

 	* Don’t forget to sign and date your appeal letter and mail it to:
FEMA NATIONAL PROCESSING SERVICE CENTER, P.O. BOX 10055, HYATTSVILLE,
MD 20782-8055 
 	* Or fax it to: 800-827-8112, ATTENTION: FEMA