As a winter storm approaches Western North Carolina, most of the 5,700 households in FEMA hotel voucher housing have been deemed ineligible.

FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which offers free hotel rooms, ends Jan. 10 unless FEMA grants an individual an extension.

FEMA has extended the deadline to Jan. 28, 2025, for SC residents filing damage claims from Hurricane Helene damage. Helene struck the state in late September.

FEMA confirms continued eligibility on an individual basis. When eligibility ends, FEMA notifies survivors approximately seven days prior to their checkout date. It’s important for survivors to keep in touch with FEMA, provide regular updates on housing status and update contact information so their recovery process is not delayed.