‘That’s just not true’: FEMA debunks myth that it is out of money for Helene victims
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — FEMA (Federal Emergency Response Agency) is speaking out against speculations that the emergency agency will soon run out of money to help those impacted by Helene. After these storms ripped through parts of southwestern Virginia and North Carolina at the end September, relief started pouring in from organizations, including FEMA. As of Oct. 6, FEMA has already approved $506,325 in “individual assistance,” which includes housing and other needs -- and more funds will be on the way to those who qualify. George Paul, the media relations specialist with FEMA, said the organization is nowhere near running out of money and encourages people to reach out to get help. “FEMA has enough funds in place to assist survivors right now with our disaster relief fund,” Paul said. Paul said he is combatting misinformation that FEMA is running out of money for Helene victims. He does not know how the rumor got started, but said the effects can hurt victims seeking assistance. RELATED: Virginia doctor heads to North Carolina to aid in Helene recovery efforts “That's just not true,” Paul said. “You heard [of] someone who received 'x' amount and then maybe you're wondering, 'Why didn't I receive that?' But, again, you have to go into it knowing that it's a case-by-case basis.” There are different levels of aid, like the “serious need assistance," which impact the amount of money an individual can be given from FEMA. “The $750 -- that's what is called 'serious needs assistance,'" Paul said. "That is a type of assistance maybe where a person has lost everything. Maybe they have limited insurance. That [money] would put essential items like food, clothes, baby formula, anything into their hands immediately.” According to information from FEMA, as of Oct. 6, there have been 2,423 cumulative registrations for federal assistance in several counties across the state of Virginia. The funding for these registrations and more has already been approved by Congress. "There is a budget," Paul said. "Right now, what we're telling folks is that we do have enough emergency funds in place -- disaster relief funds to give to survivors. If we didn't have the money, we wouldn't be encouraging people to apply for assistance.” Interested in helping those impacted by Helene? You can donate through the American Red Cross here.
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — FEMA (Federal Emergency Response Agency) is speaking out against speculations that the emergency agency will soon run out of money to help those impacted by Helene.
After these storms ripped through parts of southwestern Virginia and North Carolina at the end September, relief started pouring in from organizations, including FEMA.
As of Oct. 6, FEMA has already approved $506,325 in “individual assistance,” which includes housing and other needs -- and more funds will be on the way to those who qualify.
George Paul, the media relations specialist with FEMA, said the organization is nowhere near running out of money and encourages people to reach out to get help.
“FEMA has enough funds in place to assist survivors right now with our disaster relief fund,” Paul said.
Paul said he is combatting misinformation that FEMA is running out of money for Helene victims. He does not know how the rumor got started, but said the effects can hurt victims seeking assistance.
RELATED: Virginia doctor heads to North Carolina to aid in Helene recovery efforts
“That's just not true,” Paul said. “You heard [of] someone who received 'x' amount and then maybe you're wondering, 'Why didn't I receive that?' But, again, you have to go into it knowing that it's a case-by-case basis.”
There are different levels of aid, like the “serious need assistance," which impact the amount of money an individual can be given from FEMA.
“The $750 -- that's what is called 'serious needs assistance,'" Paul said. "That is a type of assistance maybe where a person has lost everything. Maybe they have limited insurance. That [money] would put essential items like food, clothes, baby formula, anything into their hands immediately.”
According to information from FEMA, as of Oct. 6, there have been 2,423 cumulative registrations for federal assistance in several counties across the state of Virginia. The funding for these registrations and more has already been approved by Congress.
"There is a budget," Paul said. "Right now, what we're telling folks is that we do have enough emergency funds in place -- disaster relief funds to give to survivors. If we didn't have the money, we wouldn't be encouraging people to apply for assistance.”
Interested in helping those impacted by Helene? You can donate through the American Red Cross here.
