News Flash

As of Friday, March 25, 180 households have received a total of $59,487 in reimbursement through a city program for expenses they incurred due to the evacuation during the fire at the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant on Jan. 31.

The Experiment in Self-Reliance Inc. is administering the program under a contract with the city.  “Our heart goes out to the households affected by the Weaver Fertilizer Plant fire," said Twana Roebuck, ESR's executive director. "We are grateful to be a part of this initiative to help get people back on their feet and encourage all eligible households to make an appointment with ESR to file an application.” Appointments can be made online at  or by calling 336-722-9400.

The reimbursement program is for Winston-Salem residents who live or work within the evacuation area and have a household income that is 80 percent or less of area median income, which varies by household size and is $55,100 for a family of four. 

Households can be reimbursed for hotel bills (four nights maximum), meals and other bona fide expenses related to the fire, such as replacing air filters in their houses. Those who were unable to work due to the fire can be reimbursed for lost wages. Only expenses incurred from 9 p.m. Jan. 31 through noon Feb. 4 will be reimbursed. 

The city will reimburse each household for no more than $1,000, provided that residents can document their expenses with hotel receipts and receipts for other related expenses. Lost wages must be documented with pay statements that show their pay rate.  

The $1,000 limit is a maximum reimbursement available per household, no matter the actual expenses, and regardless of how many people live at that address. Households that incurred expenses of less than $1,000 will be reimbursed for their actual expenses.

Residents who do not have documentation can be reimbursed up to $300 per household provided they sign a form attesting to their expenses.

In February the City Council allocated $1 million to assist people who incurred unforeseen expenses or lost wages when the area within one mile of the Weaver plant was evacuated during the fire. More details about the reimbursement program are posted at CityofWS.org/Weaver.