The City of Winston-Salem through Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) will be dispersing Weaver Fertilizer Plant relief funds to people affected by the fire on January 31, 2022.

The Winston-Salem City Council approved a $1 million relief fund to help people living or working within one mile of the Weaver plant who incurred unforeseen expenses associated with the fire. Residents in the area were asked to voluntarily evacuate, an evacuation which lasted several days.

Funds can be used to help cover hotel expenses (four-night maximum), food, lost wages, or other expenses related to the evacuation, such as air filter replacements.

Only expenses incurred from 9 pm January 31 through noon February 4 will be reimbursed. Anyone who receives reimbursement for their expenses from any other public or private source is not eligible to receive assistance through this initiative. Funding is limited to people with low-moderate income under the guidelines established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Income limits vary by household size.

Households with receipts or documentation of past purchases will be given up to a maximum of $1000 to help with expenses, no matter the actual expenses and regardless of how many people live at that address. Households that incur expenses of less than $1000 will be reimbursed for their actual expenses. Households without receipts can receive up to $300. Proof of expenses will still be required.

Households who qualify will be able to apply for reimbursement of their expenses starting March 9. ESR will start accepting applications during an open application fair from 5 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, March 9 at the Fairgrounds Home and Garden Building. The address is 421 27th Street, Winston-Salem. No checks will be processed at this time; this is for intake purposes only. ESR will also offer the ability to make an appointment online through their website at www.eisr.org for anyone unable to make the March 9 application fair. ESR appointments are located onsite at ESR at 3480 Dominion Street, Winston-Salem, at the corner of Reynolds Blvd. and Indiana Ave.

Eligible residents should bring receipts and other documentation of their expenses or lost wages to the application fair.

For more information on the Weaver Relief Initiative, ESR, or other ESR programs, call 336-722-9400 or visit www.eisr.org.