North Carolina’s attorney general joined a lawsuit accusing FEMA of unlawfully withholding $17.5 million in grants used to pay emergency workers.

North Carolina's attorney general has joined a lawsuit against FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security for allegedly withholding funds that were promised.

FEMA is sending $155 million in new aid to North Carolina, the agency announced Friday, in a bundle of federal money that will fund 130 projects for Hurricane Helene cleanup and other disaster recovery projects.

North Carolina has joined eleven other states in a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, alleging that the agencies are withholding $17.5 million in grants over “unlawful terms.”

The bulk of the money will go towards reimbursing state emergency road and bridge work and millions are county governments as well.

Western North Carolina counties spent tens of millions on Helene recovery, often more than their entire annual budgets, while FEMA delays keep promised funds out of reach.

The Department of Homeland Security announced an additional $155 million for Tropical Storm Helene reimbursements on Nov. 4.

State officials say applications to FEMA for more than $200 million in aid for homeowners have sat unapproved for months.