Types of FEMA disaster assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering several types of disaster assistance to individuals and families who impacted by storms and flooding across Central Texas from July 2-18. Flood victims in Burnet, Guadalupe, Kerr, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties may apply for assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.

Victims who applied with the state of Texas will need to apply separately with FEMA to receive this assistance. The program helps eligible residents with uninsured or underinsured critical needs, such as returning a home to a safe, sanitary, functional, and accessible environment following a disaster. 

Types of FEMA assistance include:

HOUSING

• Rental Assistance for alternate housing while displaced from a disaster-damaged primary residence. You may use this money to rent a house, apartment, manufactured home, recreational vehicle, or other dwelling.
• Lodging Expense Reimbursement for immediate housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of a disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel or motel after the disaster while you look for a rental unit.
• Home Repair Assistance to help restore an owner-occupied, disaster-damaged primary residence to safe and sanitary condition. This includes making accessibility repairs and upgrades, such as an exterior ramp, grab bars, and a paved path to your home’s entrance.
• Replacement Assistance to help homeowners replace an owner-occupied primary residence when it is destroyed by a disaster. This award provides for basic needs to make the home safe, accessible, and functional. FEMA does not provide replacement-value awards for damaged items or for assistance with non-essential items.

OTHER NEEDS

Displacement Assistance is a one-time lump sum of money you can use for disaster-caused expenses. You can use the award to stay in a hotel or motel, stay with family and friends, or for any other available short-term housing options while you look for temporary housing. You do not have to show that you used all of the award.

Money to help with necessary expenses and serious needs caused by a disaster, including:

• essential needs such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, personal hygiene items, and fuel for transportation;
• repairing and/or replacing appliances, room furnishings, and personal computers as well as books, uniforms, tools, and other items required for school or work (even self-employment);
• medical and dental expenses due to the disaster causing an injury or illness as well as replacing medical/dental equipment, breastfeeding equipment, or prescribed medicine that was damaged or lost;
• funerals or reburial expenses;
• increased cost of childcare expenses;
• miscellaneous items such as a generator, dehumidifier, or chain saw that you purchased or rented after the disaster to gain access to your property and help with cleanup;
• repairing and/or replacing a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use;
• and moving and storage of personal property from your home to prevent additional damage, usually while you are making repairs to your home or moving to a new place due to the disaster.

Learn more about FEMA’s Individual Assistance program at fema.gov/assistance/individual.

APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE

• You have until Thursday, Sept. 4, to apply for FEMA disaster assistance, which is not the same as reporting your damage to the state. Reporting disaster damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management at damage.tdem.texas.gov helps officials connect you with resources and services.
• The fastest way to apply to FEMA is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• You may also use the FEMA mobile app.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone, or other service, you can give FEMA your number for that service. Helpline specialists speak many languages. Press 2 for Spanish.
• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center to receive in-person assistance. The Burnet County Disaster Recovery Center is located in the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St.
• To view an accessible video on how to apply, click on What You Need to Know Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.

For the latest information about the Texas recovery from the July 2-18 storms and floods, visit fema.gov/disaster/4879.