Deadline approaches for FEMA flood assistance applications
Central Texas residents have a Sept. 28 deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance for damages and losses from the July 2-18 storms and flooding.
Eligible areas are Burnet, Guadalupe, Kerr, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson counties.
There is no cost to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance, which could help with serious disaster-related needs, including temporary housing and replacement of essential personal property when the damage is not covered by insurance. Grants also may cover disaster-related funeral, medical, dental, moving-and-storage, and childcare expenses such as money to replace damaged appliances and furnishings.
FEMA works closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides disaster loans to homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations, and businesses of all sizes. The deadline to apply for a long-term, low-interest SBA disaster loan is also Sept. 28.
Applying for FEMA assistance and reporting damage to the state are two different processes. Remember to have your email address ready for the FEMA application. You can upload additional paperwork to your FEMA account even after the deadline has passed.
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline specialists speak many languages, and lines are open from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. CT daily. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone, or similar service, you can give FEMA your number for that service.
To view an accessible video, review What You Need to Know Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.
Although FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers are closed, you can receive in-person assistance at the following Disaster Outreach Centers. In the Highland Lakes and surrounding areas, that is:
- Burnet County AgriLife Building, 607 N. Vandeveer St., Burnet, TX 78611. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday.
- San Saba (County) Civic Center, 1190 S. Thomas Stewart Drive, San Saba, TX 76877. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Travis County: Round Mountain Baptist Church, 14500 Round Mountain Road, Leander, TX 78641. Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday.
To apply for a loan from the Small Business Administration, go to SBA.gov/disaster. You may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
For the latest information about the Texas recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4879. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.