State office ready to help residents affected by Hurricane Matthew

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A year after Hurricane Matthew caused more than $5.1 million in damages to Clarendon County homes, businesses and infrastructure, a state office has begun accepting applications from residents for assistance.

The South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office announced Tuesday that it will now accept applications from residents affected by the hurricane, which hit in early October 2016.

While the office will set up locations throughout South Carolina, it will come twice to Clarendon County. Its first appearance will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Manning Fire Department, 42 W. Boyce St. in Manning.

The office will come again from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to the same location.

The South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office has a permanent locaiton at 1404 N. Main St. in Marion. Other nearby temporary locations will include from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Central Carolina Technical College Building M400 in Sumter.

The office said the deadline for applying for assistance is Nov. 10.

The housing program will concentrate on the repair and/or replacement of homes based on eligibility and priority need, according to a release from the South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office.

“SCDRO will focus on serving the most vulnerable citizens, giving priority to those who cannot recovery themselves,” the release states.

To be eligible for the program, residents must have disaster-caused damage to their homes as a result of Hurricane Matthew and also own property or live in one of the 24 declared counties, which includes Clarendon.

“Eligibility, however, does not guarantee assistance,” the release state. “Factors that determine citizen priority include income level, disability and age.”

SCDRO officials said the office will oversee the funds allocated for the 24 counties affected by Matthew, including Clarendon, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetwon, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.

Residents who believe they are eligible for the program may call 1 (844) 410-8560 to make an appointment for one of the sessions. For more information, visit www.scr.sc.gov or email contactSCDR@scdr.sc.gov.