Earthquake Homeowner Recovery Program
The Earthquake Homeowner Recovery Program provides assistance to repair, reconstruct, or replace residences damaged by the August 2020 earthquake. Applicants must have submitted an application to the program no later than August 31, 2022.
You can participate even if you have received funds from other sources including SBA loans or private bank loans. If you are approved for an SBA or private bank loan to repair your home, this state funded program can supplement and reimburse you loan amounts used for emergency repairs to fix structural, heating, ventilation (including chimneys), air conditioning, or safety needs to make your home habitable, decent, safe, and sanitary.
Non-emergency repairs (e.g., cosmetic, non-structural repairs, appliance upgrades, etc.) or property upgrades are not eligible for reimbursement.
This program is dedicated to earthquake related home repairs. This recovery program does not support earthquake repairs to service, retail, or commercial business properties that were damaged.
Eligibility criteria for the Earthquake Recovery Program
- Your home must have been damaged as a result of the August 9, 2020 Earthquake.
- Applications must have been submitted by August 31, 2022.
- Your total household income must be at or below $94,100 a year (defined as your 2019 or 2020 Adjusted Gross Income. Click this link for more on income limits). Since this earthquake was not a federally declared disaster authorizing FEMA and HUD federal disaster recovery programs to provide assistance for this disaster, families who earn more than the income limit are encouraged to apply to the Earthquake Recovery Program and, based on financial need, may be eligible for assistance not exceeding the maximum State Individual Assistance Program benefit of $35,000.
- You must have occupied the damaged home as a primary residence.
- You must have owned the damaged home at the time of the disaster and you must still own the home.
- If you are a renter and need help email us at earthquake@nc.gov and tell us more about the disruption caused by the earthquake.
- You must be a full-time resident of North Carolina and a United States citizen.
- The damaged home must be an eligible structure type and located in Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, or Wilkes Counties.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. State law prohibits this program to support repairs to retail, commercial and related for profit business properties. This is a residential homeowner focused program.
Yes, this is the fastest way to get your repairs started. You just need to keep copies of receipts and organized records (ex. cashed checks). You do need to meet eligibility criteria noted above. You would also complete a program application form. You must also be prepared to document that your home insurance does not cover earthquake events.
Only in very limited circumstances. You may be eligible to a limited reimbursement of repair expenses for a single rental or investment property. More details on program support for these types of homes will be available in early 2021. Make sure you keep copies of receipts, canceled checks and other organized records of your repair expenses.
Eligible structure types include single-family homes, modular homes, manufactured home units (mobile homes), duplexes, condos and townhomes.
Ineligible structure types include foreclosed homes, detached structures (such as a garage, barn or shed), and structures that are used exclusively for business purposes.
Yes, we can support you through a homeowner rapid repair program (Rapid Repairs) where you find building contractors you prefer using the following process and share that the contractor quotes or contracts with us.
Owner Rapid Repair Program
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PLEASE NOTE! For repairs over $70,000, we will soon provide details on a separate program where we may be able to reconstruct and replace your home. Other detailed information may be needed from owners/applicants for all recovery services.
As with other disaster recovery programs administered by the State of North Carolina, the Earthquake Recovery Program will use your household’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) reported to the Internal Revenue Service to determine income eligibility. A “household” includes all individuals over the age of 18 who live at the damaged home and received any income during the 2019 or 2020 tax year.
Generally, your income (AGI) can be found on IRS 1040/1040-SR forms lines 8b for 2019 and line 11 for 2020. In order to be eligible for assistance from the Earthquake Recovery Program, your household AGI(s) must be at or below $94,100.
The Earthquake Recovery Program has discretion to make exceptions or provide waivers for compelling reasons for applicants who may have AGIs that exceed the $94,100 limit, so we do encourage all interested homeowners to apply for consideration.
For households not required to file an IRS 1040/1040-SR, the Earthquake Recovery Program will review any income statements provided by the U.S. Social Security Administration or applicant’s W-2s and W-2s of adult members of the household.
In most cases, the Earthquake Recovery Program will offer assistance not to exceed $35,500, which was the maximum benefit under the State’s Individual Assistance Program that was set up for earthquake recovery in 2020 had the applicant timely applied to that program and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster recovery loan program. If the applicant’s home sustained major damage from the earthquake or it is not safe to occupy, the Earthquake Recovery Program may waive the $35,500 limitation. Like families with incomes less than the old or revised income limitations, over-income families must provide information on their efforts and steps they made to cover their losses or needs as required by Section 2.5.(a) of Session Law 2020-97