FEMA assistance available for storm survivors

The Huntsville Item, Texas
·3 min read

May 20—FEMA's disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when needed the most. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Texans access to a wider range of assistance and immediate funds for serious needs.

If you have serious needs due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began April 26, you may qualify for a one-time $750 payment per household through FEMA's Serious Need Assistance (SNA). This payment would be in addition to any other assistance.

SNA is money to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation. It is available in all disasters declared for Individual Assistance and is available to eligible survivors who apply within the first 30 days after the disaster was declared.

To qualify for SNA, you must tell FEMA you are displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to the disaster on your application.

Another new benefit is FEMA's Displacement Assistance which includes money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options.

These new benefits are available to eligible survivors living in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties who apply for FEMA's Individual Assistance.

Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance require an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided to applicants.

Apply to FEMA

Survivors can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance — YouTube.

You may be eligible if:

▪ You complete a FEMA application;

▪ FEMA can confirm your identity;

▪ The home where you live most of the year is in a declared disaster area;

▪ FEMA confirms the disaster damage from an inspection or documents you send; and

▪ You apply for FEMA assistance while Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance is available.

To watch an accessible video about Serious Needs Assistance, go to FEMA Accessible: Serious Needs Assistance (youtube.com).

For the latest information about Texas' recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

FEMA Civil Rights Office works to ensure assistance is distributed equitably, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA's Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available by pressing #2 for Spanish.