Across the Carolinas
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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.
5 min read
2024 Awards and Accolades
2024 Awards & Recognition – First Bank 2024 Best Employer – XL, Business NC Magazine 2024 Best Places to Work, Triad Business Journal Maggy Award – Best Financial Institution – Cary Branch, Cary Magazine 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Bank – Finalist – Dunn Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Bank – Bronze – Lillington Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Customer Service – Finalist – Lillington Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville North Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville Downtown Branch, Mountain Xpress 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville East Branch, Mountain Xpress 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville North Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville Downtown Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville East Branch, Best of WNC 2023 Greenwich Awards in Small Business, Greenwich Awards in Small Business 2024 Awards & Recognition – First Bank Associates Power List 2024 – Richard Moore, Business NC Magazine Power List 2024 – Mike Mayer, Business NC Magazine 2024 C Suite Awards – Adam Currie, Triad Business Journal Cornerstone Award – Hugh Bingham, United Way of Moore County Best Teller – Frances Rouse, The Dillon Herald Volunteer of the Year – Dawn Morton, Asheboro/Randolph County Chamber of Commerce 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Teller – Silver – Ann Lyles, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Teller – Bronze – Mireya Cantor, Dunn Daily Record
2 min read
Hendersonville branch to host UNC Health Pardee’s Mammo on the Go bus
The most important thing we do is good. See how our Hendersonville branch is helping to support local organizations like Women Helping Women.
2 min read
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.
5 min read
North Carolina Industries and Their Economic Impact [INFOGRAPHIC]
We’re excited to bring you the first in a series of three exploratory infographics on the key industries in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and their respective impact on their state’s economies.
1 min read
First Bank Celebrates Donielle Bacon During Women’s History Month
Donielle Bacon, First Bank’s Area Retail Manager, is driven to overcome the societal and cultural expectations set for an African American woman. Starting out in the hospitality industry, working many years as a wait staff trainer and bartender, Bacon was able to develop exceptional customer service and cross-selling skills, aiding her as she began her unexpected career path into the banking sector. Because the job roles she held were seasonal due to the venues, Bacon began searching for a side job, which led her to work as a part-time teller for a credit union in San Diego almost 20 years ago. Throughout her time as a teller, Bacon found a passion for assisting customers with their financial needs. Over the years, Bacon has led by example and managed teams full of individuals with various backgrounds. As a branch manager for First Bank, Bacon has exemplified true leadership and courage by stepping out of her comfort zone, into a new role and successfully learning how to balance the talents and strengths of the individuals on her team. Growing up, Bacon was particularly influenced by her mother both personally and professionally. “From a young age, she always tried to push me out of my comfort zone” stated Bacon. Her mother inspired her to dream large and live life to the fullest against all odds, instilling in her the importance of being independent and embracing the gender and racial differences that she represented, instead of allowing them to hold her back. When asked about her role as a woman in a leadership position, Bacon emphasized “I used to be offended by these kinds of questions.” As she viewed herself as equal, she preferred to be asked as an individual not as a woman. While still acknowledging that we are all equal, Bacon has learned to recognize and welcome the differences. Through her experiences, she has seen first-hand how a woman’s perspective and diversity within the workplace can benefit the morale and enhance performance. As her mother’s words encourage her daily to maximize the role she plays in her team’s career, Bacon has used her values and growth mindset to employ her team to their fullest extent, fostering an environment surrounded by support and
3 min read
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Learn more about the impact we have on our community, our programs that give back, and the individuals on our team who go above and beyond to serve you every day.
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