Compiled – Rumors, misinformation and lies about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States have run rampant since the storm made landfall, especially around funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The claims have become so widespread that FEMA set up a response page to debunk many falsehoods around how disaster funding works and what the agency’s response has been.
The agency also says more than 3,000 North Carolina residents have been rescued or supported by more than 1,200 urban search and rescue personnel, with recovery efforts aided by National Guard and active duty troops. North Carolina has also received $100 million in federal transportation funds to rebuild roads and bridges washed out by the storm.
Republicans, especially former President Donald Trump, have sought to wield the storm as a political tool against Vice President Harris with less than a month to go before Election Day. Trump has repeatedly attacked Harris and President Biden as doing a “bad job” handling the storm’s aftermath without specifics, instead using misleading math to complain about immigration and foreign aid.
Vice President Harris has pushed back against Trump’s false claims.
“There’s a lot of mis- and disinformation being pushed out there by the former president about what is available in particular to the survivors of Helene,” Harris said, urging people to apply for aid. “It’s extraordinarily irresponsible: it’s about him, it’s not about you. And the reality is that FEMA has so many resources that are available to folks who desperately need them,” she said.
Misinformation is “extremely damaging” to disaster response efforts, said Keith Turi, acting associate administrator for response and recovery at FEMA. “It is reducing the likelihood that survivors will come to FEMA with a trusted way to register for assistance,” Turi told reporters on a call Monday afternoon. “It’s important that we have those close, trusted relationships with all of our partners and the public, and that misinformation is directly impacting our ability to help people, and it’s unfortunate because these individuals have been through extremely traumatic times.”
Below, FEMA FACT-CHECKING
Is FEMA running out of money?
Another popular refrain that had gained traction on the right is the claim that FEMA has no money for hurricane recovery because of money spent on migrants, something that is not true.
The money used in the aftermath of Helene and other major disasters is not part of FEMA’s operating budget, but instead comes from the Disaster Relief Fund, which is appropriated by Congress.
October is the start of the federal government’s fiscal year, and a stopgap spending measure approved by lawmakers last month replenished the DRF at last year’s baseline level of $20 billion, though some of that money is reserved for ongoing recovery efforts from previous disasters and projects to mitigate future impacts.
The White House, in a release on Monday afternoon, said FEMA “has sufficient funding to both support the response to Hurricane Milton and continue to support the response to Hurricane Helene -– including funding to support first responders and provide immediate assistance to disaster survivors.”
Rumors began circulating online regarding FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Those included claims that the agency was capping assistance at $750 for survivors of the devastating floods.
That $750 payment — now $770 because a new fiscal year started this month — is from the Serious Needs Assistance Program, just one of multiple programs FEMA offers. (Oct 15, 2024)
“That is for folks that are in a serious situation; whether they’ve lost their homes, maybe they’re working paycheck to paycheck, they don’t have any money in the bank, they have nowhere to go, they have to feed their children — have to diaper their children,” said FEMA spokeswoman Renee Bafalis. “Survivors are expecting for us to be able to provide them with assistance, and when they’re told that we’re only going to give them $750 that doesn’t help anybody. That’s an initial program that helps them through the first few days of the event.”
Information on available programs can be found at disasterassistance.gov.
TENNESSEE — Residents of eight counties in Tennessee impacted by flooding can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
According to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency made DUA available for the following counties:
The TDLWD is accepting applications from people in those counties whose employment or self-employment was affected by Hurricane Helene’s devastation.
Applications from people seeking DUA must be submitted by Dec. 2.
The TDLWD provided a list of requirements for applicants. Applicants only need to meet one requirement in order to qualify:
1. Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits. Worked, or were self-employed, or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
2. Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
3. Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
4. Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
5. Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.
Impacted people can apply for DUA online or call 1-877-813-0950 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Anyone who files online should specify on the application that they were affected by the disaster.
In order to receive the benefits of DUA, those interested must submit all required documents within 21 days of filing the application.
“Required documentation includes a Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or paycheck stubs, and documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred,” the TDLWD stated in a news release.
According to the department, the disaster period began on Sept. 29 and ends on March 5, 2025. (Compiled DATA)
FACTS:
Rumor: Funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support international efforts or border-related issues
“Money is not being diverted from disaster response needs.
The Disaster Relief Fund is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Funding for communities to support migrants has nothing to do with this fund and its resources have not been diverted to other non-disaster related efforts.”
Rumor: FEMA is asking for cash donations and turning away volunteers
“FEMA does not ask for or generally accept any cash donations or volunteers for disaster response. We do encourage people who want to help to volunteer with or donate cash to reputable voluntary or charitable organizations. After a disaster, cash is often the best way to help as it provides the greatest flexibility for these reputable organizations working on the ground to purchase exactly what is needed.”
“If you encounter someone claiming to represent FEMA and asking for donations, be careful as that is likely a scam. Government employees will never solicit money.”
Rumor: FEMA is no longer accepting applications for housing assistance
FEMA is still accepting assistance applications throughout areas affected by Helene. For current application timelines, visit disasterassistance.gov. You can also see if applications are being accepted on FEMA’s state specific Helene disaster webpages; Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
How do I request $700 from FEMA assistance?
If you need immediate funds to pay for necessities, you may be eligible for a one-time immediate payment of $700 for Critical Needs Assistance.
“Critical Needs Assistance is typically approved quickly because it is meant to help with immediate needs like water, food, and fuel,” FEMA’s website says.
“Examples of other types of assistance include help with a temporary place to stay, funding home repairs, and emergency needs that insurance and other financial assistance sources may not cover.”
Here’s what you’ll need when applying for any kind of assistance through FEMA’s programs:
• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your Social Security number.
• A general list of damage and losses.
• Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
(For additional information, visit fema.gov)
(Compiled: F. R. Edwards)