Legal Aid of North Carolina to host free clinics for disaster relief for those impacted by Helene

Legal Aid of North Carolina is hosting disaster recovery clinics in the western part of the state for those in need in the aftermath of Helene.

The nonprofit has opened 464 cases related to the hurricane and helped people receive support from government agencies and secure housing among other things.

Attorneys will be available at each clinic to open pro bono cases on behalf of those in need.

Legal Aid's Disaster Relief Project Director Alicia Edwards says the deadline to register for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Feb. 6.

"I would encourage everyone to apply and then go through the process," Edwards said. "Let FEMA look at your application and figure out all the different types of assistance that are available because it's complicated, the guidelines are long, and there are some areas of assistance that people wouldn't maybe consider."

The first of five clinics will take place at 10 a.m. at the Mitchell County Senior Center in Bakersville on Jan. 29. For more information or to register for a clinic, visit legalaidnc.org.