West Virginians Have Until April 28, 2025, to Apply for Disaster Assistance

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginians have until April 28 to apply for FEMA Assistance for damages sustained during the mid-February winter storms.

FEMA assistance for individuals and families affected by the Feb. 15-18, 2025, storms, mudslides, landslides, and straight-line winds can cover home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Residents, both homeowners and renters, in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Wayne, and Wyoming counties who sustained losses can apply for assistance in several ways:

• Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Downloading the FEMA App.
• Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
  • Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service.
• Speaking with someone in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
  • Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are on the ground in Raleigh County, walking door-to-door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance.
  • In coordination with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) and officials in impacted counties, FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties. At a center, you can get help applying for federal assistance, update your application, and learn about other resources available. The DRCs located in the table below remain open.

As a reminder, accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security - including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs.

DRCs are accessible to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

The easiest way to apply for FEMA assistance is by phone at 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Residents can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app to their smartphone or tablet.

April 28, 2025, is also the application deadline for homeowners, renters and business owners to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration physical disaster loan. Applicants can apply online at sba.gov/disaster, call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov 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 service.

For more information on West Virginia's disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4861 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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