FEMA Registration Centers Open in Hays County

Now that Hays County has been declared a federal disaster area for the damage caused by the October 30-31 storms and flood, anyone who has uninsured losses, whether inside city limits or in the unincorporated area of the county, can apply for federal assistance programs in the way most convenient: by phone at 1-800-621-3362, online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or in person at one of several registration centers staffed by representatives from the Federal

 

Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.

 

Grants, low-interest loans to qualifying residents and business owners, temporary housing assistance and unemployment aid are some of the programs available.

 

Hays County Emergency Management Coordinator Kharley Smith explained that each resident regardless of immigration status who had uninsured losses is entitled to apply. “It is important to remember that each application is reviewed separately, so don’t rely on what a neighbor or friend was told about what they qualified for as applying to your situation,” she said.

 

Centers will open on Wednesday, December 2, at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 Hopkins Street, San Marcos, Hays County Precinct 2 Office at 5458, FM 2770 in Kyle, and Precinct 5 Office at 500 Jack C. Hays Trail in Buda as well as the Wimberley Community Center at 14068 Ranch Road 12 in Wimberley. All offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays until further notice and are application centers only, not for donations or volunteer assistance.