Texans Who Received FEMA Recovery Assistance Urged to Use Funds Wisely

Texans have received nearly $50 million in grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help recover from losses causedby the flooding and severe storms from May 4 through June 22. While the assistance is tax free and the grants do not have to be repaid,survivors are reminded to use their funds wisely and solely for recovery:
When a grant is awarded, FEMA sends a letter listing examples of approved uses that include home repair, rental assistance for a differentplace to live temporarily, and other disaster-related expenses. These include repair or replacement of a flooded essential vehicle or medicalcare for an injury caused by the disaster. Disaster grants should not be used for regular living expenses, such as utility bills or food, medicalor dental expenses not related to the disaster, travel, entertainment, or any other discretionary expenses not disaster related.
By now, survivors who had insurance may have received settlements. Since grants by law cannot duplicate funds received from other sources,it’s important for survivors to update FEMA. The best way is to call FEMA’s toll-free Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) which is open from
7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available. Disaster assistance applicants, whohave a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly. Users of 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS) shouldcall 800-621-3362.
Survivors who have not yet registered for assistance are encouraged to do so before the August 27 deadline using the same phone number orby going online to  www.disasterassistance.gov. They also can visit a disaster recovery center (DRC) where
specialists with state, FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, and local organizations also can answer questions in person. To locate thenearest DRC, call the Helpline or go online to  http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.
It’s important for grant recipients to keep receipts for three years to show how funds were spent. Following every federally declared disaster,FEMA conducts audits of disaster assistance payments to ensure taxpayer dollars were properly provided based on a survivor’s needs and usedappropriately by recipients. A small percentage of survivors may be asked to repay part or all of a grant. This process is an important part ofFEMA’s obligation and commitment to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at  www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter athttps://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
Texans who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general informationregarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.
Flood insurance provides peace of mind. Flooding comes from a variety of sources in Texas, such as rainstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Flood insurance can save Texas homeowners and renters thousands of dollars in repairs. It also can provide peace of mind considering that flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in the United States. So far this year, the agency has paid out more than $277.6 million in claims for Texans.
 
  • FEMA and SBA registration deadline: Thursday, Aug. 27, is the deadline for Texans to register with FEMA for a disaster grant and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest loan.
FEMA Seeks Texans to Work at Disaster Recovery Offices. Texans will have the opportunity to assist with the state’s disaster recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 22. Dozens of qualified Texans will be offered temporary jobs as local hires of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its Austin, Denton, and Houston offices. For more information, go to WorkInTexas.com and create an account. Once logged in, click on “Search All Jobs” and type “FEMA” into the search bar.
FEMA Mitigation Community Education Outreach. FEMA mitigation specialists are staffing in-store information centers at five Texas home improvement stores. Advisors offer home improvement tips and proven methods of preventing or reducing damage from future disasters. Most of the information is aimed at general contractors or people interested in do-it-yourself projects.
 
Hours of operation: Friday – Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.; Monday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday (Aug.25), 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Williamson County
  • Lowe’s located at 201 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto, TX 78634.
  • Keep in touch. The state and FEMA are urging survivors to keep in touch throughout the recovery process. Call 800-621-3362 or go towww.DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors can update their current address and phone number, initiate appeals, reschedule inspection appointments, notify FEMA about insurance settlements, or ask any disaster-related questions.
  • Flood insurance call center. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has a call center to answer Texas policyholders’ flood insurance questions. Specialists can help with servicing claims, providing general information and offering technical assistance to aid in recovery.

 

To speak with a specialist, call 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Disaster assistance for renters. Texas renters who were affected by the storms and flooding that occurred May 4 through June 22 may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA). The first step in the process is to register with FEMA either online or by phone.
 
  • Disaster assistance may be available for storm survivors who are noncitizens.
o   To be eligible for disaster assistance, at least one person in the household must be an eligible U.S. citizen, Qualified Alien or noncitizen national.
o   Disaster assistance may be available if a parent or guardian who is not eligible for assistance applies on behalf of a minor child who is a 
  • U.S. citizen or a Qualified Alien.
o   Additionally, homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes may be eligible for low-interest disaster assistance from the SBA. They must be eligible U.S. citizens or Qualified Aliens, and of legal age.
o   For households in which no one is eligible for federal assistance, help may be available from voluntary agencies that deliver humanitarian services without regard to citizenship or immigration status. 
 
  • Eligibility letters. FEMA routinely corresponds with applicants to let them know if they qualify for federal disaster assistance. The most common reasons for getting a determination of ineligibility are adequate insurance, insufficient storm-related damage, or missing documentation needed to complete the assistance evaluation process.
  Anyone who receives a letter of ineligibility can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time).
  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly.
  Users of 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.
 
  • Applicants have 60 days to appeal a letter of ineligibility. Anyone who receives a letter of ineligibility from FEMA may appeal the decision and ask for a review of their case. All formal appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA and submitted within 60 days of the date of the letter denying assistance. Prior to the deadline, an applicant may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center to discuss the letter. To find the nearest DRC, go online to http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.
 
  • Other disaster assistance information and referral services. 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.

 

  • Register for FEMA assistance. The registration deadline for all designated IA counties is Aug. 27, 2015.  Registering with any other agency or for FEMA’s NFIP flood insurance does not register a survivor for assistance from FEMA.

There are several ways to register:

o   By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). 
?         The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
?         Multilingual operators are available.
?         Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly.
?         Users of 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.
  • By visiting a state-FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
  • The benefits of registering:
o   Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses.
o   The SBA offers low-interest disaster recovery loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
o   These loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
o   Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, welfare assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance.
 
  • Why apply for assistance even when insured:
o   You should apply for assistance even if you have insurance because you may find that you have unmet needs after you receive your settlement.
o   If you have not already contacted your insurance agent to file a claim, do so right away. Insurance is your main source for money to put your life back in order after a disaster.
o   However, insurance may not cover all of your expenses, so disaster programs may be able to help.
o   You should not wait for your insurance settlement to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA.
o   If a survivor is non-compliant with maintaining their flood insurance, they will be ineligible for the home repair portion of housing assistance. However, they may still be eligible for rental assistance.
  
  • Individual Assistance update:
o   As of Aug. 20 COB, 33,508 Texas households have registered for state and federal assistance.
o   We continue to encourage all Texans who have suffered property damage or losses due to the recent storms and flooding to call the toll free number to report losses.
o   Total approved: More than $49.5 million
  • Housing Assistance: More than $40.6 million.
  • Other Needs Assistance: More than $8.9 million.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery Loans:

o   Disaster recovery loans from the SBA are the primary source of federal funds to help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations with long-term rebuilding, restoration and replacement of their disaster-damaged private property. 
 
o   Most flood survivors are referred to the SBA for a low-interest disaster recovery loan.  Even if they feel they can’t afford a loan or won’t qualify, they should still apply.
o   If the SBA determines an applicant is not eligible for a loan, the applicant may be referred for further disaster assistance. However, failure to return the application halts that process.
  • For this disaster to date:
o   The SBA has approved more than $76.6 million in recovery loans, 1,464 to homeowners and 93 to businesses.
o   These low-interest loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
o   Survivors can apply in person at any of the state/FEMA/SBA recovery centers or directly online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
o   For more information or any questions about SBA disaster programs, businesses and residents can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.
 
Disaster Recovery Centers
 
Caldwell County
Martindale Baptist Church
12351 Highway 142, Martindale, TX 78655
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Harris County
Bayland Community Center
6400 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77074
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Leonel Castillo Community Center
2101 South St., Houston, TX 77009
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Hays County
San Marcos Activity Center (Front Lobby Area)
501 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos, TX 78666.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Wimberley Community Center
14068 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, TX 78676
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County WIC Building
1903 N. Knights Drive, Pharr, TX, 78577 (next to the Pharr fire station #1 at 1901 Fir Street)
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Jim Wells County
Old Armory, 1207
N. Cameron St., Alice, Texas 78332.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
Nueces County
Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds
Conference Center- Meeting Room A, B & C
1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd., Robstown, TX  78380
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
 
DISASTER TIMELINE
Designated counties:  47 for Individual Assistance; 110 for Public Assistance.
  • May 29: Initial Notice of Federal disaster declaration for Texas: 
  • Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties are designated for Individual Assistance. Cooke, Gaines, Grimes, Harris, Hays, Navarro, and Van Zandt counties are designated for Public Assistance.
  • June 5: Amendment adds 20 more counties for Individual Assistance:
  • Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Denton, Eastland, Fort Bend, Gaines, Guadalupe, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Wichita, Williamson and Wise.
  • June 9: Amendment adds 51 more counties for Public Assistance:
o    Angelina, Archer, Atascosa, Bastrop, Baylor, Blanco, Bowie, Burleson, Caldwell, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Comal, Comanche, Denton, Fannin, Fayette, Garza, Gillespie, Grayson, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Liberty, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Montague, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Refugio, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Travis, Tyler, Uvalde, Walker, Wharton, Williamson, Wilson, Wise and Zavala.
  • June 16: Amendment adds seven more counties for Individual Assistance:
o    Cooke, Dallas, Fannin, Grayson, Liberty, Nueces, and Walker.
  • June 19: Amendment closes incident period. (May 4-June 19)
  • June 24: Amendment adds one more county for Individual Assistance:
o    Fayette.
  • July 1: Amendment adds five additional counties for Individual Assistance and 15 more counties for Public Assistance:
o    Individual Assistance: Bowie, Brazoria, Cherokee, Ellis and Harrison.
o    Public Assistance: Callahan, Dallas, Dickens, Eastland, Edwards, Frio, Hartley, Hidalgo, Hill, Leon, Nueces, Parker, Real, Trinity and Victoria.
  • July 9: Amendment adds 6 more counties for Individual Assistance:
o        Angelina, Erath, Frio, Jim Wells, Montgomery and Trinity.
  • July 9: Memorandum extending registration deadline for Individual Assistance to Aug. 27, 2015.
  • July 17: Amendment adds four additional counties added for Individual Assistance:

 

o        Hood, Madison, Shelby and Wharton.

  • July 21: Amendment extends incident period to June 22.
  • July 21: Amendment adds Red River County for Individual Assistance.
  • July 23: Amendment adds 18 additional counties for Public Assistance:

 

  Austin, Brown, Delta, DeWitt, Ellis, Gonzales, Hopkins, Jack, Jones, Orange, Red River, Robertson, San Augustine, Starr, Tarrant, Throckmorton, Waller and Wichita.
  • Aug. 4: Amendment adds 19 additional counties for Public Assistance:
o   Bosque, Brazoria, Collingsworth, Colorado, Coryell, Duval, Erath, Hall, Hardin, Jim Wells, Lubbock, McLennan, Palo Pinto, Shelby, Smith, Somervell, Tom Green, Washington and Young.

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