FEMA Assistance Now Available in Virginia

Philadelphia, Pa. — Residents of Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties as well as residents of the city of Galax are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with costs from damage and losses due to Hurricane Helene beginning September 25, 2024. 

FEMA may be able to help you pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs due to the disaster, including:

• Essential items such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, medical supplies and equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation
• Rental assistance if you are displaced because of the disaster including financial assistance for the following: hotel stays, stays with family and friends, or other options while you look for a rental unit
• Repair or replacement of a vehicle, appliances, room furnishings, personal or family computer
• Books, uniforms, tools, computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment
• Moving and storage fees, medical expenses, childcare and funeral expenses

There are four ways to apply:

• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download the FEMA App.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
  • Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service.
• In person assistance will also be available soon. 
  • Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams will be on the ground in impacted communities, walking door to door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance. 
  • In coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and officials in impacted counties and cities, FEMA will be opening Disaster Recovery Centers soon. At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can get help applying for federal assistance, update your application and learn about other resources available.

If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can’t pay for losses your insurance will cover.

To watch an accessible video about how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov,  the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).