Federal Emergency Management Assistance
Individual and Household Program (IHP) Assistance may include:
- Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs
- Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges
- A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
- Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes
- Funds for other uninsured or under-insured
More Information on IHP Assistance:
- How to apply for assistance online, by phone or in person.
- Understand general eligibility criteria that need to be met to receive assistance.
- Learn about citizenship and immigration status requirements for federal public benefits.
- What to expect for a home inspection.
- Learn about proof of ownership and occupancy requirements.
- How to appeal if you disagree with FEMA’s decision.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
SBA Loans:
- FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters in a declared major disaster area. You don’t need to own a business to apply for SBA assistance.
- You may have been referred to SBA after applying for FEMA disaster assistance. If you still have unmet needs, loans may help with home repair or replacement, personal property, vehicles, mitigation, business losses, and working capital for small business and most private nonprofits.
- You may choose to complete an SBA disaster loan application and it will not impact your eligibility for FEMA assistance.
- If you are approved for a loan, you are not obligated to accept it.
- Funds you get from SBA must be repaid over time.
- Eligible individuals will have up to one year from the date of their loan to begin making payments, allowing crucial time for recovery. Notably, interest will not accrue on SBA disaster loans for 12 months from the initial disbursement date.
- Qualifying Counties:
- Primary Counties (Physical Damage and Economic Injury Loans): Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington.
- Economic Injury Only: Grainger, Hancock, Jefferson, Sevier, Sullivan.
- For more details, visit the SBA’s TN disaster page: MySBA Loan Portal
- For questions about the SBA disaster loan program, please call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339). SBA information is also available at www.SBA.gov/disaster or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
USDA Assistance Program
- Emergency Farm Loans are available for farmers and ranchers to recover from production losses due to Hurricane Helene. Farmers who own or operate land in the declared disaster areas and have suffered significant losses are eligible.
- Qualifying counties:
- Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington
- As well as Sullivan and Sevier
- Apply online.
Low-income House Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP
Assistance is available to low-income households with energy costs, including temporary shelter and cooling costs during disasters. Eligibility is based on income.
Apply online.
IRS Tax Relief
- Tax relief provisions for individuals and businesses affected by disasters, including extended deadlines and deductible losses are available.
- Qualifying counties:
- ·Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Washington
- Apply online.
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency works closely with the Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TNVOAD) to organize both volunteers and donations for areas that are impacted by disasters and emergencies.
Please note, while local communities appreciate the volunteer spirit during disasters and emergencies, it is important to refrain from sending resources that have not been requested by state or local authorities.
- For more information about volunteering your time, visit: https://www.tnvoad.org/volunteer/
- For more information about donations, visit: https://www.tnvoad.org/donate/
Local and regional organizations can also be found on the Tennessee VOAD website. Please visit Tennessee VOAD at www.TNVOAD.org.
The National VOAD coalition includes over 50 of the country's most reputable national organizations (faith-based, community-based and other non-governmental organizations) and 55 State/Territory VOADs, which represent Local/Regional VOADs and hundreds of other member organizations throughout the country. Please visit National VOAD at www.nvoad.org/.