Beaufort County governments, residents and businesses may seek assistance from the federal government — through the Federal Emergency Management Agency —in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

The public-assistance part of the federal aid means counties and municipalities may be reimbursed for expenditures related to storm recovery such as debris removal and disposal. Individual assistance means residents may be reimbursed for certain damages caused by the storm and some related storm-recovery expenses.

County officials received notice about the federal aid during a meeting at the county’s Emergency Operations Center on Monday evening, not long after President Obama declared a major disaster for 31 counties in North Carolina on Monday.

Beaufort County Manager Brian Alligood said the county would take advantage, as it has done after previous hurricanes and major storms, of the federal assistance.

“It’s very important for us. It allows us to get reimbursement for activities that we do to restore things and recover from the issues that have occurred. That’s key. That’s huge for us,” Alligood said Tuesday.

County residents also have an opportunity to seek assistance for various needs, he said. “It allows them to file with FEMA for funds to help recover,” Alligood said.

He considers the federal aid a major resource for the county. “It is my understanding it will also open up potential (resources) — like when we had Irene, there were mitigation efforts afterward that came about from that. So, it opens up some of those opportunities as well, “Alligood said.

The assistance does not cover all storm-recovery expenses incurred by counties and municipalities. After Hurricane Irene in 2011, Beaufort County had to fund nearly $2.5 million of its recovery effort.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered losses or damages caused by Matthew should call 1-800-621-3362 to register for assistance or go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov and register by downloading FEMA’s mobile app, according to a news release. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service, the number is also 1-800-621-3362. For people using TTY, the number is 1-800-462-7585. These toll-free numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Operators are ready to assist people in multiple languages.

The grant assistance for renters and homeowners may include help with temporary housing, rent, repairs to primary residences, moving and storage expenses, medical and dental expenses and transportation. Other assistance programs include legal assistance and crisis counseling.

Some information for this article came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.