Gov. Stein to appeal FEMA rejection letter for extended aid at 100%

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — On Monday, April 14, Congressman Chuck Edwards spoke with News 13. He characterized the state’s FEMA funding extension request as an unprecedented ask.

On March 20, 2025, Edwards along with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator Ted Budd, and U.S. Congressman Tim Moore signed a letter where they wrote:

“Consistent with our shared commitment to the brave people of Western North Carolina, we therefore write in support of Governor Stein’s request to extend the current FEMA 100% federal reimbursement for Helene costs eligible under the Stafford Act for an additional 180 days (6 months) beyond March 27, 2025. This extension is critical to make Western North Carolina whole and is in alignment with executive actions from previous storms like Hurricane Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, Hurricane Ike in Texas, and Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.”

News 13 asked Edwards about the letter but he denied any knowledge of other historic disasters where states got an extension for 100% reimbursement for specific costs to rebuild.

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“There’s no reversal at all,” said Edwards about his position. “My intent was also to advocate for a 180-day extension at 100% reimbursement rate for public assistance. That was a Hail Mary, I knew that at the time. I wasn’t surprised at all that that offer was denied. But let’s look at actually where we are. North Carolina was granted, while FEMA’s reimbursement rate for public assistance is typically 75% with a 25% cost share, North Carolina, because of the severity of the storm was granted by FEMA, I went to Washington DC and got a 100% cost share.”

According to FEMA’s rejection letter dated April 11, 2025, the request for the 180-day 100% coverage extension was specifically for “debris removal and emergency protective measures.”

The FEMA rejection letter signed by Cameron Hamilton, Senior Official Performing Duties of the Administrator, stated, “Based on our review of all the information available, it has been determined that the increased level of funding you have requested for major disaster FEMA-4827-DR is not warranted.”

"On Friday, April 11, while in Newland, just minutes after hearing devastating stories of people losing their homes by Helene, Governor Stein learned of FEMA’s bad decision to not grant the extension. He condemned FEMA’s actions and urged President Trump to step in," North Carolina Governor Josh Stein’s office said in an April 14 press release. "In the denial letter, FEMA stated the extension was 'not warranted.'"

Governor Stein’s office estimated the rejection of the request could cost the state around $200 million.

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FEMA documents previously show when the 100% extension was granted:

• During Trump’s first term, FEMA extended 100% federal cost-sharing for Hurricane Maria recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands to a total of 12 months.
• During Trump’s first term, FEMA extended 100% federal cost-sharing for Hurricane Maria recovery in Puerto Rico to a total of 9 months.
• FEMA extended 100% federal cost sharing for Louisiana and Mississippi after Katrina for a total of more than 1 year and 8 months.
• FEMA extended 100% federal cost sharing for Texas after Hurricane Ike for a total of 7.5 months.

On April 14, Stein’s office made a statement to News 13 saying the state will appeal an extended Helene aid rejection letter from FEMA dated April 11:

“North Carolina was granted 30 days to appeal FEMA’s decision to deny our request to extend the 100% reimbursement match,” Olivia Weidie, Governor Stein’s spokeswoman wrote. "The Governor’s Office has every intention of appealing this decision. More information will be released in the coming days.”

Last week, Congressman Edwards canceled a Tuesday news conference where he planned to unveil his recommendations to “Fix FEMA, accelerate recovery in Western North Carolina.”

However, Edwards' office canceled the event. Edwards told News 13 it was because the White House wanted to review his recommendations before he released them.

Edwards serves on a WNC Helene Task Force although the news release for Edwards' event stated it was a “FEMA task force.”

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Edwards, spokeswoman, Maria Kim clarified that Edwards was appointed to a task force focused on North Carolina and Edwards is not part of the “FEMA Review Council.” Kim said it is a different task force.

In a 101-page bound report, Edwards laid out 30 recommendations he and his staff feel would help eliminate red tape for disaster victims, businesses, and municipalities seeking aid from FEMA.

The report recommends expedited funds to government entities seeking reimbursement, as well as streamlining the application process for individuals seeking FEMA assistance. The report recommends the president exercise the executive order privilege to assist with expediting funding. Edwards also recommended more funding for private bridges and road rebuilds across the state.

Edwards said he met with officials at the White House including officials from the Office of Budget and Management.

Edwards said he did not speak directly with President Trump about his recommendations although the 101-page report was submitted for Trump’s review.