More Texans Eligible for Disaster Aid, More Time to Apply

AUSTIN, Texas – More Texans are eligible for federal disaster assistance for the April storms and many more have additional time to register with FEMA for aid.

FEMA extended the period during which those affected by the storms may be eligible for disaster assistance. To be eligible for FEMA help, damage must have occurred April 17-30.

At the request of the state, residents of Anderson, Cherokee, Smith and Wood counties are now eligible for disaster assistance and are encouraged to register with FEMA.

Also eligible for disaster assistance are residents of Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller, and Wharton counties. Those affected by the storms are encouraged to register with FEMA if they have not already done so.

The deadline to register for assistance is July 29.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses.

Registering for disaster assistance is a two-step process. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return a no-obligation loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration if one is offered. There is no charge to apply for the loan and if approved, no obligation to accept it.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

• online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.
• at a disaster recovery center. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

A free multilingual guide to the types of assistance available can be found at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.