South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Hurricane Helene

The South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Hurricane Helene is a state-administered disaster assistance program funded through federal appropriations authorized under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025. The program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in partnership with the USDA Farm Service Agency and is intended to provide targeted financial relief to South Carolina farmers and private forest landowners who sustained qualifying losses from Hurricane Helene during 2024. The program addresses agricultural and timber losses that were not fully covered by existing USDA disaster assistance programs or crop insurance. Funding is specifically intended to compensate producers and landowners for infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses associated with perennial crops, and timber losses in federally declared disaster areas within South Carolina. The program makes approximately $38.3 million available through a non-competitive application process. Eligible losses fall into four primary categories. Infrastructure losses include damages to barns, silos, poultry houses, greenhouses, aquaculture structures, above-ground irrigation systems, roads, bridges, and culverts directly tied to agricultural production. Market losses include the inability to market crops because of storm-related disruptions such as inaccessible fields, closure of markets, spoilage due to power outages, or loss of direct-to-consumer sales opportunities. Future economic losses address long-term revenue impacts from damage to perennial crops and shellfish operations that require multiple years to mature and generate income. Timber losses are available for private forest landowners with qualifying storm damage affecting at least 10 contiguous forested acres and a minimum threshold of significant timber damage. The grant excludes losses already compensated through other USDA disaster programs. Eligible applicants include individuals, agricultural producers, forest landowners, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, tribal organizations, and other legal farm entities that are composed solely of United States citizens or lawful resident aliens. Applicants must have suffered direct losses from Hurricane Helene in one of the eligible counties or tribal areas identified in the federal disaster declaration. Eligible locations include Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, Williamsburg, York, and the Catawba Indian Nation. Certain claim types require producers to agree to maintain federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage for future crop years following receipt of assistance. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Euna Grants online portal during the official application period from May 12, 2026 through July 11, 2026. The application process requires users to register an organization account and complete multiple application forms within the portal. Applicants must provide project information, eligibility documentation, general payee information, and claim-specific documentation tied to each type of loss being claimed. Required supporting documentation may include IRS Schedule F forms, W-9 forms, deeds, lease agreements, tax parcel records, Farm Service Agency acreage reports, insurance documentation, damage photographs, invoices, repair estimates, market contracts, salvage records, and timber valuation materials. Applicants claiming future economic loss or market loss are encouraged to provide FSA-578 acreage certification forms or the alternative SDRBG acreage certification form supplied by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The application includes specialized claim sections that require detailed reporting. Future economic loss claims require applicants to identify affected perennial crops, percentage of crop loss, planting years, insurance proceeds received, and plans to replant similar crops. Market loss claims require documentation of spoiled or unmarketable crops and evidence of market disruption caused by Hurricane Helene. Infrastructure claims require applicants to document physical dimensions of damaged structures, insurance coverage information, repair estimates, and proof of ownership. Timber loss claims include two valuation options. Option A allows applicants to hire a South Carolina registered forester to perform a detailed valuation of timber losses using species, stocking, acreage, and product-class analysis. Option B uses generalized valuation categories administered by forestry officials. Timber applicants must also provide parcel access information, tract maps, damage photos, and ownership details. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Forestry Commission will review all applications after the close of the submission window. Payments will not be issued until all applications have been received and reviewed. According to the application guide, the agencies anticipate completing application review activities during September 2026 and issuing payments by the end of December 2026. Applicants will receive automated email notifications confirming submission status, approval, rejection, and award activation. Payments will be distributed by mailed check to the payee address listed within the application. Technical assistance is available through Clemson Cooperative Extension offices, Soil and Water Conservation District offices, and dedicated program support contacts. Program contacts include Chris Doyle at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Questions regarding agricultural losses or application assistance may be directed to disaster@scda.sc.gov or by phone at 803-734-2210. Timber-specific assistance is available through the South Carolina Forestry Commission at blockgrant@scfc.gov. The program website also provides downloadable application guides, acreage certification forms, linkage requirement documents, technical assistance videos, and additional supporting materials for applicants preparing submissions. The South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Hurricane Helene is structured as a one-time funding opportunity associated with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and is not described as a recurring annual grant program.

Use the preferred FSA-578 acreage form whenever possible because the guidance repeatedly identifies it as the preferred documentation source. Save application progress frequently during portal entry. Ensure every form is marked complete before submission because incomplete sections prevent final submission. Provide extensive supporting documentation including photos, invoices, insurance records, and ownership documentation to substantiate losses. Timber applicants should compare Option A and Option B valuation methods before submission.