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Individuals in 15 counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl can now apply for federal funding.
Yesterday, President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for more than 60 Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
Many residents had been awaiting news of individual aid to help with property losses, the economic impact of having to close businesses and having to stop working due to lack of electricity or property damage.
Residents and business owners who suffered losses due to Beryl in the counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker and Wharton, are now able to start applying for federal aid through FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Individuals might be eligible for Serious Needs Assistance, a one-time payment of $750 per household to cover the costs of food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency items, according to a FEMA news release.
Displacement Assistance will also be made available to cover the costs of housing needs for those unable to return to their home due to the disaster.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” states a FEMA news release sent Friday afternoon.
The Small Business Administration offers low interest loans to small businesses owners and individuals to cover costs after a disaster. Applicants must reside in a declared disaster area to access these loans, which can cover costs for damages not covered by insurance, economic losses linked to the disaster, improvements to a home or business to protect these from future disasters and more.
The agencies issued separate applications for damages caused by the derecho storm in May and the recent hurricane. But the FEMA disaster recovery centers that opened after the May storm were starting to reopen this week for in-person applications and inquiries, said FEMA spokesperson Fabian Gutierrez on Thursday.
Individuals can also access information or apply over the phone by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA app.
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