RALEIGH –- North Carolinians looking for temporary work now have an opportunity to be part of the team to help their state recover from Hurricane Matthew and to learn first-hand about the recovery process. North Carolina Works, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is advertising open temporary positions.

Individuals interested in working with FEMA can visit the NC Works workforce office serving their area, visit www.ncworks.gov to find available job opportunities, or call 919-560-6880. Positions are posted as the need arises.

Applicants seeking a job with FEMA must be a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older and have a valid government identification card, such as a driver’s license or military ID. Before hiring, candidates will be subject to a complete background investigation and fingerprinting. FEMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thursday, FEMA released the following numbers reflecting the number of applications received and money approved for Bladen County and neighboring counties:

— Bladen: 2,519 applications, $1,584,343.49

— Columbus: 4,324 applications, $4,317,191.38

— Cumberland: 12,021 applications, $11,358,473.30

— Pender: 668 applications, $1,432,039.08

— Robeson: 15,918 applications, $17,368,158.77

— Sampson: 1,716 applications, $1,353,116.32

To date, 38 North Carolina counties have been approved for federal disaster assistance. On Oct. 28, FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Elizabethtown, stationed at the agricultural center on Smith Circle, where staff are accepting applications and offering assistance in person.

“We continue to encourage people to go ahead and register,” said FEMA Media Relations Specialist Rita Egan. “Don’t delay; register today — that’s my mantra.”

FEMA Individual Assistance is designed to help survivors get back on their feet and covers essential needs not covered by insurance, including assistance with essential home repairs and temporary rental assistance.

The state and FEMA work closely with state, federal, private sector, faith-based and voluntary agency partners to help match survivors who have remaining needs with other sources of assistance.

Egan encouraged residents who receive notices beginning with “Your application has been denied” to continue reading, as additional action on the part of the applicant may resolve the issue. She noted that rejection letters are often sent for issues like a phone number being inactivated or an adult not being on site when the inspector showed up. Such issues can be quickly and easily corrected, and will result in the application process moving again. Additionally, application decisions can be appealed if done so within 60 days of receiving the letter.

For more information on the North Carolina’s recovery, visit the disaster webpage at fema.gov/disaster/4285 or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at ncdps.gov/.

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Staff report