Disaster Recovery - Pisgah Legal Services

Pisgah Legal Services is here to help the people of our mountain region recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene.

We have been active in disaster recovery since immediately after the storm, assisting our neighbors throughout Western North Carolina with disaster-related issues. Pisgah Legal continues to provide disaster recovery legal help on these issues and more:

FEMA appeals
Eviction prevention & housing rights
Mortgage issues & foreclosure prevention
Homeowners insurance denials & disputes
Consumer protection against frauds and scams
Tax return preparation & tax disputes.

Apply online for our services, or call us at (828) 253-0406
or toll free 1-800-489-6144.

View our Disaster Recovery Flyer in English and Spanish for more information.

UPCOMING DEADLINES

Open for Applications:
December 31, 2025:
Deadline to apply for assistance with repairing or rebuilding homes impacted by Hurricane Helene through the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program.

February 28, 2026:
NC Private Road & Bridge Reimbursement Program

UPCOMING DISASTER RECOVERY EVENTS

Check back soon for more events!

DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES

Search by Category:
Housing and Shelter Assistance
FEMA
Insurance Help
Financial Help
Case Management and Navigation
Infrastructure
Health and Other Resources

HOUSING AND SHELTER ASSISTANCE

- Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program Now Accepting Applications for Home Repair and Rebuild
  Don’t miss out on this real state program providing grants to repair, rebuild, or replace eligible homes!

Renew NC is now accepting applications to help homeowners in WNC repair or rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene.

To be eligible, homeowners must:

- - Live in an eligible WNC county or zip code
  - Have owned and lived in the home as their primary residence at the time of the storm
  - Still own the home and agree to live there for at least 3 more years
  - Meet income eligibility

Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 . Anyone who thinks they may qualify is encouraged to apply. Trained case managers are available to help every step of the way. Call 888-791-0207 or visit RenewNC.org

- Tenant/Renters Rights

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Guidance for Tenants Dealing with Mold

North Carolina Tenants’ Rights: Evictions and Repairs Myth vs. Fact and FAQs

What You Need to Know About Evictions and Repairs (English) and Spanish

You can apply for and appeal denials for ongoing rental assistance through FEMA. For help with FEMA Appeals – Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.

- Mortgage Issues and Foreclosure Prevention

Steps you can take now to help keep your home:

- - Communicate proactively with your lender
  - Document everything
  - Ask for a Loss Mitigation Application
  - Reach out to an attorney
  - Beware of foreclosure recovery scams

View our flyer for more information

- Avoiding Consumer Scams

Avoiding Scams and Frauds Flyer (English) and Spanish

VIDEO: Protecting Yourself from Scams After Helene

VIDEO: Protecting Yourself from Title and Deed Scams

FEMA

- FEMA Application Assistance

The official FEMA initial application period has concluded. Pending applications and appeals are not affected. In addition, if you were unable to apply for FEMA during the application period due to disruptions caused by Helene (of any kind), you should call FEMA and request an exemption from the application deadline. Click here for more information about applying for FEMA aid.

- FEMA Appeals

Self-Help Materials for FEMA Serious Needs Assistance ($750) Appeals

More Complex FEMA Appeals (home/property damage, housing assistance, ongoing rental assistance, etc.) – Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.

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INSURANCE HELP

- Insurance Claims

Insurance Claims and Appeals Flyer (English) and Spanish

Need help with a Homeowner Insurance Denial or Dispute? Call Pisgah Legal at 828.253.0406, choose option 8.

Seek assistance or file a complaint with the NC Department of Insurance

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FINANCIAL HELP

- Important Tax Information

IRS further postpones various tax deadlines to Sept. 25 for North Carolina storm victims

Disaster & Taxes: What You Need to Know – View Booklet

- Disaster Unemployment Benefits

The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Benefits has passed. For appeals of Disaster Unemployment Benefits denials, call the Disaster Legal Aid Hotline at Legal Aid of NC: 866.219.5262.

- Faith-based Organizations

There are many local faith-based organizations that may be able to pay bills or provide financial support, such as ABCCM’s Faith360 Network

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CASE MANAGEMENT AND NAVIGATION

- NC Disaster Case Management

NC Disaster Case Managers can help you make a recovery plan, find available resources, and walk through challenges caused by Helene. Fill out the NC-DCM survey online or call 844-746-2326 to describe your needs.

- Multi-Agency Resource Centers

FEMA disaster recovery centers (DRC’s) in WNC are now locally operated resource centers. The centers operate Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, except the Mitchell County center is only open on Wednesdays. Click here for a list of locations.

- Disaster Recovery Partnership – Henderson County

The Henderson County Disaster Recovery Partnership is a one-stop place to find help as you work to recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene and any other natural disasters that affect Henderson County. Residents who have recovery needs can fill out the Assistance Request Form to be connected to a local disaster case manager who will work one-on-one with them to help resolve their needs.

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