FEMA Hurricane Beryl individual assistance expanded to 16 Houston area counties
HOUSTON - President Biden has amended the Major Disaster Declaration for Texas to provide support to uninsured or underinsured individuals, more resources to repair or replace homes, secure temporary housing, and access low-interest loans among other recovery programs.
The expanded federal aid will become available to individuals in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton counties. On Saturday, Fort Bend County was added to the list.
"I’m so happy to say this, we are officially, I got the notification just now. We are officially added. Fort Bend County is officially added to receive individual assistance from FEMA," said Fort Bend County Judge KP George.
SUGGESTED: Fort Bend County now approved for individual FEMA disaster assistance
In order to receive approval, Texas and FEMA had to assess damaged homes, as required by federal law, before making a request. Texans who live in these fifteen counties can apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
"I am pleased that FEMA took quick action on my request," said Acting Governor Dan Patrick in a press release.
The assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs designed to help individuals and business owners bounce back from the hurricane's devastating effects.
"So people were trying to do those surveys. We know that they were trying to do those surveys out there, but they were unable to do those surveys because of data and power," said Greg Babst, the manager of the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management.
Residents and business owners who suffered losses in these areas can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.
Judge Lina Hidalgo gave this statement after the announcement:
"Great news, Harris County!! We just received word that FEMA, at the request of President Biden, has officially granted Harris County and 14 other impacted counties Individual Assistance (financial assistance directly for impacted families). Our state and local government just finished verifying the count and made the submission last night. This is an approval in record time. Soon we will have more news on how to apply for direct financial assistance. Thank you President Biden and our various partners!"
What type of FEMA disaster assistance is available for individuals?
Renters and homeowners in approved counties can apply for help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.
New benefits include serious needs assistance – which offers a one-time $750 payment per household to help pay for essential items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
Residents may also be eligible for displacement assistance to be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing if you can’t return home because of the disaster.
Can I apply if I applied for assistance earlier this year?
FEMA says those who applied for FEMA assistance after the April 26 - June 5 storms and flooding, and who had additional damage or losses from Hurricane Beryl, can make a separate application for Hurricane Beryl assistance.
How to apply for FEMA disaster aid
There are multiple ways to apply:
- Go online to disasterassistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. For locations, visit fema.gov/drc. These centers can help with both Hurricane Beryl and the April 26-June 5 storms and flooding.
What you need to apply
When filling out the application, you will need to have the following information:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
- Your Social Security number
- A general list of damage and losses
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
What other types of assistance are available?
FEMA says the following additional assistance is available for those impacted by the disaster:
- Streamlined application process so people can apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA at the same.
- Support for underinsured people to help cover some home repair costs that insurance companies won’t pay for but which the homeowner can’t afford.
- Help for self-employed people to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment.
- Expanded help to make homes safer after a disaster.
- Help making a home more accessible for people with disabilities.
- Streamlined process for people who need to extend temporary housing assistance.
- Simplified process for appeal of FEMA’s decision, eliminating the need for a signed letter.
- Help for people who need to repair or replace a disaster-damaged computer.