Winter storm resources
FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Texas homeowners and renters who sustained damage in the counties designated for individual assistance including Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Navarro counties may now apply for disaster assistance with FEMA. If you have insurance and are applying for disaster assistance, you must also file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If insurance does not cover all your damage, you may be eligible for federal assistance. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.
If it is not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:
· A current phone number where you can be contacted
· Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
· Your Social Security number, if available
· A general list of damage and losses
· If insured, the insurance policy number, or the agent and company name
If it is safe to do so, start cleaning up now. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair. Disaster assistance may include financial assistance for temporary lodging and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses, homeowners and renters. Call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339) or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
Note: FEMA cannot reimburse you for food lost due to a power failure. However, voluntary organizations in your community may be able to help. You can also call 211 for assistance.
The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development is offering federal disaster assistance to homeowners and homebuyers affected by the winter storm in Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Navarro counties including immediate foreclosure relief, mortgage insurance, making insurance available for mortgages and home rehabilitation, ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist, and making information on housing providers and HUD programs available.
Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to residents in the counties designated for individual assistance including Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Navarro counties. The Small Business Administration has established a Virtual Business Recovery Center to assist business owners and a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to provide help to homeowners and renters. The centers are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday:
(800) 659-2955/TTY: 800-877-8339
Or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
STATE RESOURCES
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will automatically provide replacement benefits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in impacted counties including Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Navarro counties in Central Texas for food lost or destroyed due to winter storm Uri, which began on Feb. 11. Residents of those counties do not need to take any action for automatic replacement benefits. Residents of Leon and Saba Saba counties are eligible to receive automatic partial replacement. Texans who do not live in one of the eligible counties have until March 31 to report SNAP food loss and request replacement benefits. SNAP recipients in these counties must apply for replacement benefits. SNAP recipients in the 66 counties can also report other food loss and request additional benefits until March 31. HHSC is encouraging SNAP clients to request their replacement food benefits by calling 211 and pressing option 2. Alternately, recipients can download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed Food Stamp Benefits) on the HHSC website. Recipients are encouraged to mail or fax the completed form to HHSC instead of visiting their local offices. Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or faxed to 1-877-447-2839. For more information, please visit hhs.texas.gov. To check benefit amounts deposited on a card, SNAP recipients with an online account can visit YourTexasBenefits.com, or they can call the Lone Star Help Desk at 800-777-7328.
TIPS ON FILING INSURANCE CLAIMS
TEXAS INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE REPORTING TOOL (Helps Texas Dept. of Emergency Management assess damages)
UTILITY INFORMATION
02.25.21: Atmos Energy offers installment plans to spread out payments over time. You can set one up online. Log into Atmos Energy Account Center and select the Payment Assistance tab. You may also call 888-286-6700 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
LOCAL INFORMATION
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