RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — North Carolinians have been granted an extension to apply for federal disaster aid related to Hurricane Helene.  The N.C. Department of Emergency Management announced Monday that at the request of Gov. Roy Cooper, the deadline has been moved to Feb. 6, 2025. Homeowners and renters in 39 counties, mostly in western North Carolina and including Mecklenburg, with uninsured losses from Helene may be eligible to apply for FEMA assistance.  Surry County farmer using drone to deliver supplies to western North Carolina There are several ways to apply:  (Most Recommended): Visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your community. Visit fema.gov/drc to locate the closest location.  Call the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and midnight.  Go online to disasterassistance.gov  Survivors who have insurance are encouraged to file a claim for disaster-caused damage with your insurance company before they apply for FEMA assistance. Survivors do not need to wait for an insurance settlement to apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA may provide financial assistance to eligible survivors who are uninsured or underinsured.  For people who have been denied FEMA assistance, you can submit an appeal by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center in your community, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by going online to disasterassistance.gov.   The deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance has also been extended. You may be eligible if you:  Lived, worked, or were scheduled to work in one of the counties listed above.  Lost employment or had your job interrupted as a result of Helene and,  You have exhausted or are ineligible for state unemployment benefits.  You are out of work (including self-employed or business owners) as a result of Helene.  The fastest way to file a claim is online at the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment Security webpage: www.des.nc.gov. You may also file by calling 888-737-0258.