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Am I Eligible for FEMA Relief? Here’s What You Need to Know
Who Qualifies for Assistance? Federal disaster aid is available for residents and business owners in the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. Not sure if you’re eligible? You can verify your eligibility and apply directly on FEMA’s website: DisasterAssistance.gov. What Assistance Does FEMA Offer? FEMA provides a range of relief programs aimed at helping individuals and businesses recover from disasters. Here’s a closer look at what you may be eligible to receive: 1. Housing Assistance This aid helps you secure safe shelter while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. FEMA can provide funds for: Rental Assistance: Financial support to rent a temporary residence if your home is uninhabitable due to disaster-related damage. Lodging Expense Reimbursement: If you had to stay in a hotel or motel, FEMA can reimburse you for these expenses. This is especially helpful if you were unable to find immediate rental options. Home Repair or Replacement: Grants are available to help repair or replace your home and address disaster-specific damages, such as water damage or mold. FEMA may also cover hazard mitigation measures that reduce the risk of future damage. Accessibility Needs: If you or someone in your household has a disability, FEMA can provide funds to make your home accessible. This might include ramps, grab bars, and other necessary modifications, even if these were not originally present before the disaster. Privately-Owned Roads, Bridges, and Docks: If the only access to your home has been damaged, FEMA can help cover repair costs for private infrastructure like roads and bridges. 2. Other Needs Assistance This program helps with essential expenses and serious needs beyond housing. Covered expenses include: Serious Needs: Grants to cover immediate necessities like food, water, first aid, prescriptions, and personal hygiene items, ensuring you have access to essentials during recovery. Displacement: If your home is uninhabitable, FEMA can help cover the cost of staying with family, friends, or in a hotel while you search for a more permanent solution. Personal Property: Financial assistance to repair or replace items essential to daily life, such as appliances, furniture, and work or school-related items like computers and tools. This can also include uniforms, books, and equipment needed for self-employment. Medical and Dental Expenses: If the disaster caused injury or damaged medical or dental equipment, FEMA can help cover the costs for treatment, equipment replacement, and prescribed medications. Funeral Costs: In the unfortunate event that the disaster resulted in a loss of life, FEMA offers support to cover funeral or reburial expenses. Child Care: For families facing increased child care costs due to the disaster, FEMA can provide funds to help cover these additional expenses. Assistance for Miscellaneous Items: Reimbursement for items like generators, dehumidifiers, and chainsaws that were purchased or rented to aid in the recovery process. Transportation: If your vehicle was damaged and you don’t have an alternative mode of transportation, FEMA may help cover the repair or replacement costs to ensure you have a way to get to work, school, or other essential places. Moving and Storage Expenses: FEMA can help with costs associated with moving and storing personal property, especially if it needs to be relocated temporarily during home repairs or if you need to move to a new residence. Each of these programs is designed to provide immediate and practical support, so you can focus on the well-being of your family and community as you rebuild after the disaster. How Do I Apply for FEMA Assistance? Applying for FEMA relief is straightforward. Here are the steps to get started: Apply Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for assistance. You can also download the FEMA App or call FEMA’s toll-free number at 1-800-621-3362. Register for an Account: If you’re applying online, you’ll need to create an account on Login.gov. This will allow you to save your application, upload documents, and check your status. Prepare Your Information: You’ll need details like your home and mailing address, Social Security number, insurance info, and bank details for direct deposit. Submit Your Application: Once you’ve completed the application, review it, make any necessary changes, and submit it. Be sure to save your application ID as you’ll need it for future communication with FEMA. What Happens After You Apply? After applying, FEMA will review your application and may contact you for additional information or to schedule an inspection. You can always log into your account on DisasterAssistance.gov to check your application status and receive updates. If approved, FEMA will disburse funds via direct deposit or a mailed check, based on your preference. For more information or to begin the application process, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App. Recovering from Disaster with FEMA’s Support If you’re affected by Hurricane Helene, you don’t have to face it alone. FEMA offers a range of programs designed to help you get back on your feet. Take advantage of these resources to help ease the journey to recovery.
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Paying for College
Study up on ways to pay for that diploma.
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How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters
Potential Scam Scenarios Scammers use a variety of tactics to exploit people during the aftermath of disasters. Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for: 1. Imposter Scams Scammers often pose as safety inspectors, government officials, or aid workers, claiming they are there to help. They may ask for sensitive information or upfront payments for services, such as inspections or applications, that are usually provided for free by legitimate organizations. 2. FEMA Impersonators One common scam involves individuals impersonating FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) representatives. They may offer to help you with your FEMA application but will charge an upfront fee, which is not a part of any legitimate FEMA process. FEMA does not charge for applications or assistance. 3. Home Improvement and Debris Removal Scams After a natural disaster, many people need repairs to their homes or businesses. Scammers may pose as contractors offering quick debris removal or repairs but will often demand large sums of money upfront or perform subpar work, leaving victims with little recourse. They may also disappear after taking payment, leaving your property in worse condition. Recognize the Signs of a Scam While scammers can be clever, there are warning signs that can help you spot fraudulent behavior. Keep an eye out for these red flags: No Licensing Required: Scammers may claim they don’t need a license to do the work, which is false. Legitimate contractors should always have a valid license and insurance. Pressure to Sign a Contract Immediately: Scammers often offer a “discount” or say they can only fit you in if you sign a contract on the spot. This tactic is meant to pressure you into making a decision without careful consideration. Signing Over Your Insurance Check: If a contractor asks you to sign over your insurance claim check, beware. This can leave you vulnerable if the work is incomplete or of poor quality. Full Payment Upfront: Asking for full payment before any work is completed is a big red flag. Reputable contractors typically ask for a partial deposit, with the balance due upon completion of the work. Unusual Payment Methods: If someone asks you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, it’s likely a scam. These payment methods are difficult to trace and recover if the contractor disappears. Ways to Avoid a Scam Protecting yourself after a natural disaster requires both awareness and due diligence. Here are steps you can take to reduce the risk of being scammed: 1. Know that FEMA Doesn’t Charge Application Fees FEMA provides disaster assistance for free, and they never charge for processing your application. If someone asks for money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam. Always verify through FEMA’s official website or hotline to ensure you’re dealing with legitimate representatives. 2. Verify Your Insurance Coverage Don’t rely on a contractor to tell you what your insurance covers. Always contact your insurance company directly for details about your policy. Additionally, never sign over your insurance check to a contractor. You want to maintain control over how your funds are spent to ensure the work is completed properly. 3. Be Skeptical of Immediate Offers for Repairs or Clean-Up In the rush to clean up or make repairs, it can be tempting to accept the first offer that comes along. However, unlicensed contractors and scammers often show up in disaster-affected areas promising fast fixes. Be cautious of anyone who demands cash upfront or won’t provide copies of their license, insurance, or a written contract. If they refuse to give you any of these, walk away. 4. Get a Written Contract and Read it Carefully Contract requirements vary by state, but even if your state doesn’t mandate a written agreement, always request one. A contract should outline the scope of work, materials to be used, payment schedules, timelines, and any guarantees. This provides you with legal protection if the contractor fails to deliver on their promises. Take Action: Protect Yourself and Your Community As we work together to rebuild after disasters, staying informed is the best defense against scams. Share this information with friends, family, and neighbors so that everyone in your community is aware of these fraudulent schemes. If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam or have been the victim of fraud, report it to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or FEMA’s Disaster Fraud Hotline. Recovering from a natural disaster is hard enough without having to deal with the fallout from scammers. By recognizing the signs and taking the proper precautions, you can help ensure that your recovery is smooth, safe, and scam-free. Additional Resources: Hurricane Helene: Recovery Scams How to Avoid Imposter Scams How To Avoid Scams After Natural Disasters Picking Up the Pieces After a Disaster Stay safe, stay informed, and protect yourself from those who might try to take advantage during these challenging times.
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List of Banks Headquartered in North Carolina
The fact that North Carolina is home to a large number of banks might surprise you. Over the years, the Tar Heel state has become a hub for banks of all sizes. Many community banks, like First Bank,* are headquartered in North Carolina and are making a case for being a better choice. There’s no denying that huge corporate banks manage billions more than your local bank, but data indicates that community banks hold over $5 trillion in assets in the United States. This is because community banks have maintained an important place in the nation’s business and economic sector, especially for small business and agricultural lending. Why First Bank is the Bank for You First Bank opened its first branch in Troy, NC, in 1935, and since then has been committed to helping individuals, families, and small businesses achieve their short-term and long-term goals. To this day, we continuously strive to evolve and improve our services to meet the wide-ranging needs of our customers across the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.** With nearly 100 locations in NC, First Bank can be found in every major city, from the coast to the mountains. We have a range of mobile personal and business banking services*** available to you, as well as mortgage, loan, and credit options. So, if you’re looking for a bank headquartered in North Carolina, visit your local First Bank branch today. *Member FDIC ***While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. Sources: NC Global Economy: http://www.ncglobaleconomy.com/banks/overview.shtml
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Budgeting 101: Personal Budget Categories
When it comes to creating a personal budget, it can feel like there are a million financial categories to consider. In order to create a successful budget, everything should be accounted for, from large expenses like your mortgage and car payment to smaller expenses like your gym membership and Netflix subscription. A list of recommended personal budget categories is a great place to start when creating a budget. Here are two ways you can get the most out of the list: Go through the list and check off each category that applies to you, then add those categories/items to your personal budget spreadsheet. Create a comprehensive list of everything you spend each month, then go through the categories list to see if there is anything you might have forgotten and need to add to you personal budget spreadsheet. Recommended Budgeting Categories Consider including these categories when you create your own budget: Housing Mortgage or rent Property taxes Household repairs HOA fees Transportation Car payment Car warranty Gas Tires Maintenance and oil changes Parking fees Repairs Registration and DMV Fees Food Groceries Restaurants Pet food Utilities Electricity Water Garbage Phones Cable Internet Clothing Adults’ clothing Adults’ shoes Children’s clothing Children’s shoes Medical/Healthcare Primary care Dental care Specialty care (dermatologists, orthodontics, optometrists, etc.) Urgent care Medications Medical devices Insurance Health insurance Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance Home warranty or protection plan Auto insurance Life insurance Disability insurance Household Items/Supplies Toiletries Laundry detergent Dishwasher detergent Cleaning supplies Tools Personal Gym memberships Haircuts Salon services Cosmetics (like makeup or services like laser hair removal) Babysitter Subscriptions Debt Personal loans Student loans Credit cards Retirement Financial planning Investing Education Children’s college Your college School supplies Books Savings Emergency fund Big purchases like a new mattress or laptop Other savings Gifts/Donations Birthday Anniversary Wedding Christmas Special occasion Charities Entertainment Alcohol and/or bars Games Movies Concerts Vacations Subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.) Get Professional Personal Finance Advice Give First Bank’s free MyMoney tool in online and mobile banking a try to get started on your budget or to calculate your net worth. If you need guidance from a professional when creating your budget, find a First Bank near you. You can also learn more about different types of banking services, personal budgeting, saving money, investing and more using First Bank’s online Financial
2 min read