FEMA center opens in Bladen County

RALEIGH, NC –(WWAY) –  Today, a FEMA center opened in Bladen County, allowing residents who suffered losses and damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew easy access to information about  state and federal assistance.

These disaster recovery centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA, NC Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

You can go to these centers to get help applying for federal aid, learn about the appeals process and get updates on your application.

The Bladen County FEMA center is at the Powell Melvin Agricultural Service Center in Elizabethtown. It will be open Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday hours are from noon until 5:00 pm, until further notice.

If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
• Call 800-462-7585 if you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY
• Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.