Categories
Federal Aid Assistance
Federal aid is available to help the state, tribal and local recovery efforts affected by Hurricane Helene.
What's Covered:
Federal aid assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.
Counties Covered:
It is available to affected individuals in the following counties: Aiken, Anderson, Bamber, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg.
Here's How to Apply:
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance here or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA app.
For members without cellular service/WI-FI, Spero branch lobbies are equipped with a kiosk to file a claim.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business and Resident Loans
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in South Carolina following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 25, 2024.
What's Covered:
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster- damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Counties Covered:
Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda and Spartanburg Counties
Here's How to Apply:
Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
For members without cellular service/WI-FI, Spero branch lobbies are equipped with a kiosk to file a claim.
