Jan. 25, 2016: FEMA Individual Assistance Registration Deadline
1-800-621-3362 – www.DisasterAssistance.gov
A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) opens today at the Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Drive, Austin, TX 78744. The DLOC will be open for five days only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The DLOC closes at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.
A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center is operating this week in Guadalupe County. It is stationed at the Geronimo Community Center, 280 Navarro Drive, Seguin, TX 78155. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday; closes at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Sixteen counties have been designated for Individual Assistance: Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson Counties.
Homeowners and renters in any designated county can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. For a visual explanation, visit: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/112402
Individual Assistance Update (as of close of business Jan. 10)
· Total approved registrations: 2,719
· Total Individuals and Households Program grants approved: More than $15.6 million
For more about inspections, visit What Texans Should Expect after FEMA Registratio
Total U.S. Small Business Administration loan amount approved: $8,497,400
Disaster Assistance grants should be used only for disaster-related expenses. Money received for repairs should be used right away. While the assistance is tax-free and the grants do not have to be repaid, survivors should use their funds wisely.
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers
DLOCs are operating at the Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801Ainez Drive, Austin, TX 78744, and at the Navarro Center Mall, 800 N. Main St., Corsicana, TX 75110. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dove Springs DLOC closes at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
Disaster Recovery Centers are currently operating in Caldwell, Cameron, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties for one-on-one assistance to disaster survivors. A visit to a DRC is not required for registration. All Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible and equipped to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Locations are below:
Caldwell County
Allen Bates River Park
Intersection FM 1979/ Fannin Street
Martindale, TX 78655
Cameron County
Bob Clark Social Service Center
9901 California Road
Brownsville, TX 78521
Brownsville, TX 78521
Harris County
Denver Harbor
Multi-Service Center
6402 Market St.
6402 Market St.
Houston, TX 77020
(Closes Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.)
Hays County
Hays County Government Center
712 S. Stagecoach Trail
San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri.
(Closes Friday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m.)
Hidalgo County
Porter P. Doss Memorial Library
515 South Kansas Ave.
Weslaco, TX 78596
Willacy County
Willacy County EMS
693 South 7th St.
Raymondville, TX 78580
Normal hours of operation for all, except Hays County: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
DRCs, operated by the State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supported by other agencies, remain open until the needs of area residents have been met. Those with questions regarding the application or the appeals process, or who decide to register for assistance after a DRC closes, have several ways to obtain information:
Visit another DRC nearby, visit http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.
Online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or
Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
Visit the Texas Disaster Recovery website www.fema.gov/disaster/4223.
Contact U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website atwww.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA)
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DSA teams are conducting outreach in the following counties: Caldwell, Cameron, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Travis and Willacy.
Temporary Lodging Assistance
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Displaced survivors staying temporarily in hotels are encouraged to register with FEMA and submit their lodging receipts to FEMA. Receipts may be uploaded at DisasterAssistance.gov. Uninsured lodging expenses may be eligible for reimbursement under the Individuals and Households program. Survivors who registered and did not submit receipts may contact FEMA for guidance in submitting documentation.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
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DUA is now available for workers and the self-employed who have been unable to work because of the disaster. DUA applies to those living inside or outside a designated county whose work has been affected. To apply, call 800-939-6631 or go online to http://www.texasworkforce.org/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services. The deadline to apply in Cameron County is today, Jan. 11. The deadline has passed for the remaining designated counties.
Volunteers Active in Disaster
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FEMA and its partners encourage Texans to continue volunteering to help disaster survivors. To view a video on the benefits of volunteering, visit: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/112533
Federal Assistance and Noncitizens
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Disaster assistance may be available for storm survivors who are noncitizens. View the following link for details: FEMA Citizenship Immigration Requirements.
Other Disaster Assistance Information and Referral Services
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Texans seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs should call 211, a statewide information and referral service. Anyone using a relay service should call 877-541-7905.
Texans who have legal issues as a direct result of the Oct. 22-Oct. 31 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding may receive free legal information from the Texas State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program Hotline. Call 800-504-7030 for answers in English and Spanish.
National Flood Insurance Program
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FEMA has a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center to support NFIP policyholders. Call 800-621-3362 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
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The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, tribes and local governments for projects intended to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters. Individual homeowners and businesses may not apply directly to the program; however a community may apply on their behalf. For details, go to:
http://www.fema.gov/region-vi-hazard-mitigation-grant-program-hmgp
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Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications on rebuilding stronger.
State, Federal and Other Partners Update
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U.S. Small Business Administration
Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. Loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available to businesses and private nonprofits for working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster. Loan limits: Businesses and nonprofits $2 million (including EIDL); homeowner loans $200,000; personal property for homeowners and renters $40,000. For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339), or visit www.sba.gov/disaster.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster assistance programs are activated when a Presidential Disaster Declaration is approved in a state. For information on disaster programs and office locations in each county, visit
Texas FSA.
