DISASTER help resources

If you’ve suffered from a recent disaster, my heart is with you.

In September, 2024, Hurricane Helene dumped 40 trillion gallons of water down the mountain rivers of my region, and many of us here in Asheville and Western North Carolina lost homes, lives, and livelihoods in the flood. I lost my studio, and with it, 20 years of my artwork (my life’s work).

I am an artist and Tax Pro, and I help self-employed people manage the hard stuff, like taxes and business setup. So naturally, I made these podcast episodes to help you navigate the tax implications of mutual aid and grants, apply for FEMA funding, and file an amended tax return to get cash in your pocket when you declare your disaster loss.

I’ve created the following resources, and gathered resources from government agencies, to help anyone who has suffered from a disaster loss navigate the tricky stuff.

Please feel free to share widely. I ask only that you credit my work (Hannah Cole, Founder of Sunlight Tax @sunlighttax ).

SUNLIGHT PODCAST EPISODES:

Listen and Subscribe Here

Today, I’m discussing the tax implications of mutual aid funds and how it relates to the context of Hurricane Helene's impact here in Western North Carolina with the creation of PayPals and fundraisers for donations. 

Join me in this important episode to learn how to handle the tax side of mutual aid and how to make sure you’re staying on the right side of the IRS.  

Listen and Subscribe here

In today’s episode, I’m going over the IRS benefits for those affected by federally declared disasters and highlighting the automatic qualification for disaster relief, including filing and payment extensions, and the option to file an amended return.

Join me to learn about the various IRS tax benefits and relief measures available to you if you’re ever impacted by a federally declared disaster.

other helpful episodes:

Disaster Help Resources

APPLY FOR FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

If you need money for water, shelter, or even safety gear, you can apply on your phone. Watch my video here for additional guidance

Application takes about 15 minutes. You can add in insurance info later if you don’t have it handy. You just need you & your partner’s SSNs and basic household info.

  • Watch my video here for additional guidance

    Even if you suffered minor damage, you’ll likely qualify for money for water and hotel and supplies. I recommend doing it. I just applied, and it took 15 minutes on my phone with decent WiFi.

  • FEMA may provide money and other services to help you recover from losses caused by a presidentially declared disaster, such as damage to your home, car, and other personal items.

    Note: FEMA does not provide assistance for small businesses impacted by a disaster. Our partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), offers low interest loans for business damage. Also, we do not offer housing assistance for secondary homes, only for your primary residence.

    You may qualify for FEMA disaster assistance even if you have insurance. You must file a claim with your insurance provider and submit the insurance settlement or denial letter to FEMA to determine your eligibility for some forms of assistance.

    Apply for FEMA Assistance at disasterAssistance.gov

  • Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet your basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.

    FEMA is committed to providing equal access to disaster recovery resources and assistance. Let FEMA know if you or anyone in your household has a disability or language need.

    IHP Assistance may include:

    • Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs

    • Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges

    • A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources

    • Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes

    • Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs

    The Privacy Act requires FEMA to obtain written consent from the applicant in order to share their disaster assistance records with a third party. Applicants who wish to authorize FEMA to share their information with a third party must complete the FEMA FORM FF-104-FY-21- 118: Authorization for the Release of Information Under the Privacy Act and return it to FEMA.

  • Here’s the link the FEMA Recovery Guide.

US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits affected by the disaster. This includes:

  • Some workers (i.e. gig workers, self-employed workers, etc.) are being denied regular unemployment benefits, as their pay does not come from a covered employer who pays the unemployment insurance taxes necessary to fund the benefits.

    However, that denial is the first step in the process of receiving Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Workers are more likely to be eligible for DUA, and they can begin receiving that assistance only after they've either exhausted or been determined ineligible for state unemployment benefits.

    Any denial comes with appeal instructions. If these workers are filing due to the declared disaster and indicate it when selecting the reason for unemployment, then they are automatically sent to complete an application for DUA.

  • Click here for more info.

  • Click here for more info.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

GRANTS OR STIPENDS

I love you all so much.
Joy and pain do not arrive in separate packages. I'm finding that life braids them together.

Warmly,
Hannah