TEMPLE, Texas — Central Texans who were affected by the severe storms from April 26-June 5 have only one day left to apply for federal assistance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA said the deadline for those who suffered damage from the storm to apply for aid is Aug. 15, 2024.
FEMA Media Specialist Nikki Gaskins Campbell told 6 News the organization has already helped 3,500 households equating to more than $8.5 million.
"People can also use [grant money] for temporary rental assistance if they're approved for that," Campbell added. "Even childcare, dental and medical. Some people are surprised to know that they may be eligible for disaster assistance if they had a loved one who died as a result of those storms that occurred."
Homeowners and renters in Anderson, Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, San Jacinto, Rusk, Sabine, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties who have uninsured losses from the disaster may be eligible for FEMA assistance, said the Agency.
There are multiple ways to apply for FEMA assistance, said the Agency, including:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Through the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Help is reportedly available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Through a Disaster Recovery Center. To find the closest center to you, visit fema.gov/drc.
FEMA said it has provided $176.7 million to 76,562 Texas households to date. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reportedly also provided $52.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and businesses, said FEMA.
According to FEMA, Aug. 15 is also the deadline to submit a disaster loan application for physical damage to the SBA. FEMA stated the SBA disaster loan program is designed to help people with long-term recovery needs.
If you miss the deadline, Campbell told 6 News there are specific situations where someone could still receive help.
"That individual will still be required to show evidence that you know they had extraordinary circumstances that prevented them from reaching out to FEMA under the deadline," Campbell said.
Some of those situations could include being hospitalized, preventative illness, being on a business trip or deployed overseas and not being aware of the extent of their damage, according to Campbell.
For those with home insurance, there is still an opportunity to receive assistance from FEMA.
Texans can apply for an SBA disaster loan online at SBA.gov/disaster or by calling 800-659-2955. SBA representatives are reportedly also available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers in affected areas.
FEMA said the SBA also offers economic injury disaster loans to businesses and nonprofit organizations. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 18, 2025.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4781.
A video demonstrating how to apply for assistance can be found at this link.
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