As disaster-recovery centers in eastern North Carolina begin shutting down, victims of Hurricane Matthew and subsequent flooding may find help just a phone call away, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The centers, operated by FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management opened days after Matthew left heavy rains and historic flooding last month. While some centers in the hardest-hit areas of the state were open for weeks, others in less-affected areas were open about three or four days.

“FEMA will be working with the state and our other partners as long as we are needed,” according to Nate Custer, a FEMA media specialist.

The FEMA/SBA deadline to apply for assistance has been extended to Jan. 9, 2017.

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.

As of Thursday, $78.1 million in individual and household program funding had been approved by the federal government, with the majority of that amount — about $55 million — earmarked for housing assistance, and about $23 million allocated for other-needs assistance. FEMA reports that 26,131 applications for individual assistance had been approved by Thursday.

The latest weekly report on registrations with FEMA and the amount of assistance approved for storm victims shows 620 registrants as of Friday. Not all registrants are approved for assistance, but Beaufort County has received $437,250.01 in assistance through Friday, according to FEMA data.

Statewide, 74,011 registrations have been made, with 26,131 of them approved for assistance

Housing assistance provides money for disaster-related housing needs, while other-needs assistance provides funds for other disaster-related needs such as household furnishings, transportation and medical care.

As of Nov. 18, more than $152 million has been approved in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments to those affected by the flooding.

More than 73,000 people in 45 counties have contacted FEMA for information or assistance, according to a FEMA news release. The National Flood Insurance Program has received more than 5,600 claims and paid more than $32.7 million to policyholders, including advance payments to help homeowners get started quickly on repairs. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $41.4 million in disaster loans to enable more than 1,100 applicants to rebuild.

For more information on the North Carolina recovery, visit the disaster Web page at fema.gov/disaster/4285; or visit the North Carolina Emergency Management website at readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.