Texas catastrophe aid applications for householders
Assist for householders in Texas
Winter storm Uri wreaked havoc on the Lone Star State two weeks in the past — in addition to the thousands and thousands of properties inside it.
Luckily, there are aid applications that may assist.
President Biden declared a pure catastrophe for Texas final week, and that has opened the doorways to FEMA funds and different federal aid applications for its residents.
Property tax exemptions, momentary housing shelters, and different forms of help are additionally out there.
Are you struggling as a result of latest winter storms within the state? Listed here are the applications which may be capable to assist.
On this article (Skip to…)
- FEMA catastrophe aid
- HUD catastrophe aid (FHA loans)
- Assist with utility payments
- Property tax reductions
- Householders insurance coverage claims
- Who qualifies for support?
FEMA catastrophe aid
As a result of winter storm Uri was declared a pure catastrophe, funds from FEMA (the Federal Emergency Administration Company) have been made out there to assist these affected.
FEMA aid funds can be utilized for quite a lot of wants.
If your own home has been rendered unsafe or unlivable, these funds can go towards momentary housing or resort prices. They can be used for residence repairs or changing private property (even autos) that had been broken within the storm.
To use for FEMA aid, you’ll want:
- Photographs of the injury
- A listing of any misplaced or broken private objects
- Your tackle
- Your Social Safety quantity
- Your private home insurance coverage particulars (if the house is insured)
You’ll be able to then apply on-line at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA cell app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
There are additionally in-person FEMA Catastrophe Restoration Facilities that may assist. You’ll additionally discover these at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Catastrophe aid from HUD
The Division of Housing and City Improvement (HUD) can also be providing numerous types of aid for Texans.
Right here’s what it’s doing to assist householders:
- Foreclosures safety: HUD has instituted a 90-day ban on foreclosures of FHA-financed properties in Texas. So in case your mortgage is an FHA mortgage and also you’re not capable of make funds, you could have at the very least three months earlier than your mortgage servicer can begin the foreclosures course of
- Reconstruction loans: If your own home was severely broken and have to be reconstructed or rehabilitated, HUD is making FHA 203(h) loans out there. These loans can be utilized to buy a brand new residence or rebuild a broken residence. Debtors don’t must make a down cost and might finance all closing prices
- Housing counseling: HUD additionally has free housing counselors prepared to assist. They will stroll you thru the assorted catastrophe aid choices you could be eligible for, in addition to present monetary steering in the event you’re having hassle making your home funds
In case you need assistance along with your FHA-backed residence, you should utilize this HUD useful resource middle as a place to begin.
Assist with utility payments
Many Texans have been hit with hovering power payments within the wake of the storm. Whereas no particular aid program has been introduced for these points simply but, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has mentioned that state officers are investigating the costs.
“It’s unacceptable for Texans who suffered via days within the freezing chilly with out electrical energy or warmth to now be hit with skyrocketing power prices,” Abbott mentioned.
“To guard households, I’m actively working with the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the home, and members of the Legislature to develop options to make sure that Texans should not on the hook for unreasonable spikes of their power payments.”
Gov. Abbott has additionally ordered corporations to halt energy and gasoline shut-offs in the intervening time.
In case you’ve been issued a expensive power invoice as a result of storm, your supplier can’t lower off your energy or gasoline service till the investigation is full.
Different aid choices for householders
If your own home was broken within the storm, you may also qualify for a brief property tax exemption, which reduces your property taxes only for 2021.
These exemptions fluctuate by county and stage of injury, however to date, the next counties have all introduced momentary tax reductions for affected householders:
- Harris County (Houston)
- Tarrant County (Fort Price)
- Collin County (north of Dallas)
Verify along with your county’s appraisal district to see what exemptions you could be eligible for.
There are additionally emergency shelter choices you’ll be able to head to in the event you’re unable to remain in your house.
You will discover shelters in your space on the FEMA app or by texting your SHELTER plus your ZIP code (for instance: SHELTER 90210) to 43362.
Householders insurance coverage claims
When you have householders insurance coverage, be certain to file a declare along with your insurer earlier than making use of for FEMA funds.
In accordance with FEMA, federal funds can solely be used for uncovered losses, so your insurance coverage firm might want to cowl its portion of the damages earlier than federal funds can be utilized.
In lots of circumstances, residence insurance coverage will cowl burst pipes, in addition to the flooding and different damages they will trigger in your property.
Your insurance coverage may also cowl relocation prices and residing bills if it is advisable transfer off-site whereas the injury is repaired.
In case you’re planning to file a declare, be certain to {photograph} any seen injury and begin an inventory of things have been affected, together with a tough estimate of their value/worth. Your insurer will want this data when tallying up damages.
Lastly, name your insurance coverage firm as quickly as potential in the event you plan on submitting your declare. Many corporations are backed up as a result of storm — as are plumbers and different restore professionals — so getting your declare rolling ASAP is important.
When you have questions on submitting your declare or another insurance-related problem, go to the Texas Division of Insurance coverage for assist.
Who qualifies for Texas catastrophe aid?
Federal aid funds are reserved for Texans within the 77 counties listed right here.
You’ll want a Social Safety quantity and proof that you just’re the owner-occupant of your own home to be eligible.
You additionally have to be uninsured or underinsured, that means your own home insurance coverage doesn’t cowl the complete extent of the damages your property suffered.
In case you do have residence insurance coverage, you’ll want to offer documentation of the declare you filed and any funds acquired earlier than you’ll be able to obtain federal support.
The underside line
In case you had been impacted by final month’s winter storms, you’re not with out choices. FEMA, HUD, and numerous municipalities are prepared to assist.
For extra data, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or name 1-800-621-3362 now.
