You Might Qualify for Financial Help
FEMA just opened up disaster assistance for six Central Texas counties hit by the severe storms and flooding that started July 2nd. If you live in or had property damaged in Kerr, Burnet, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, or Williamson counties, you can apply for help – even if you don’t live in Texas full-time.
What Kind of Help Are We Talking About?
This isn’t just paperwork and red tape. FEMA and the State of Texas can help with real expenses like:
- Temporary housing if your home is unlivable
- Basic repairs to make your place safe again
- Personal property that got destroyed (furniture, appliances, clothes)
- Displacement costs if you had to stay somewhere else
- Other serious disaster-related needs
But First: Check Your Insurance
Here’s the deal – if you have homeowner’s, renter’s, or flood insurance, file that claim FIRST. FEMA can’t pay for stuff your insurance should cover (it’s the law). But here’s the good news: if your insurance doesn’t cover everything, or if the damage costs more than your policy limits, FEMA might be able to help with the rest.
Don’t have insurance? Then FEMA assistance could be a lifesaver.
How to Apply (It’s Actually Pretty Easy)
Option 1: Go Online – The fastest way is DisasterAssistance.gov. You can do it from your couch.
Option 2: Use Your Phone – Download the FEMA App and apply right from your mobile device.
Option 3: Call – Dial 800-621-3362. They’re open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time. Need Spanish? Press 2. They speak lots of other languages too.
Option 4: Get Help In Person – There’s a Disaster Recovery Center open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 625 Washington St. in Kerrville. More centers are opening soon – check FEMA.gov/DRC and plug in your zip code to find one closer to you.
Special Deal for Kerr County
If your property got hit in Kerr County, you can apply even if you don’t live there or don’t live in Texas at all. Maybe you’ve got a vacation home or rental property there – you’re still eligible.
Don’t Wait Around
The sooner you apply, the sooner help can start coming your way. And if you’re worried about the process being complicated, there’s even a YouTube video called “Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance” that walks you through it step by step.
The Bottom Line
Nobody plans for their basement to flood or their roof to get ripped off. But when it happens, you don’t have to figure it out alone. FEMA assistance is designed to help you get back on your feet while you’re dealing with insurance companies and contractors.
Your next step: Head to DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or visit that recovery center in Kerrville. The help is there – you just need to ask for it.
Don’t let flood damage derail your summer. Get the help you deserve.
