Claudette Disaster Aid Exceeds $12 Million
Release Date: August 8, 2003
Release Number: 1479-20
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Claudette
Corpus Christi, TX -- More than 11,300 individuals have registered for assistance since President George W. Bush's July 17 disaster declaration. Under the declaration, individuals and businesses in the counties of Aransas, Atascosa, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, DeWitt, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Jackson, Karnes, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Refugio, Victoria, San Patricio and Zavala are eligible to apply for disaster assistance.
Disaster assistance to date:
- Approved funds under the Disaster Housing Program total $7,154,562. The Disaster Housing Program includes assistance for basic housing repairs, short-term rental assistance or reimbursement of hotel/motel expenses.
- Atascosa, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, DeWitt, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Jackson, Karnes, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Refugio, Victoria, San Patricio and Zavala counties are also eligible for all seven categories for Public Assistance (infrastructure support). Aransas County has been designated as eligible for Individual Assistance only, and is not eligible for Public Assistance.
- Approved funds for Other Needs Assistance total $4,239,782. This program provides grants to individuals who have disaster-related needs for which disaster loans are not available.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 160 low-interest disaster loans totaling $1,539,400 for repairing or replacing damaged property. SBA urges those who receive application packets in the mail or at Disaster Recovery Centers to complete the applications and return them quickly. Completing the application is necessary to be eligible for other forms of assistance. If you need help in filling out the SBA application, you can visit one of the Disaster Recovery Centers where SBA Loan Officers will assist you.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available by calling the Texas Workforce Commission Tele-Center at 1-800-939-6631. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The deadline for filing an application is August 21, 2003 for those in Calhoun, Jackson, Matagorda, Refugio and Victoria counties. The filing deadline for those in Bee, Brazoria, Dewitt, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Karnes, Live Oak and San Patricio counties is August 28, 2003. The filing deadline for those in Atascosa, McMullen and Zavala counties is September 3, 2003.
- The State Bar of Texas is providing free legal assistance and answers to basic legal questions for those in the disaster declared counties. In addition to answering questions, volunteer lawyers will give referral information in English and Spanish. The number to call is 1-800-504-7030.
- Referral services and short-term intervention counseling is available for both adults and children affected by Hurricane Claudette. Crisis counselors are located in all Disaster Recovery Centers. Crisis counseling assistance is also available by calling these hotline numbers:
Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Refugio and Victoria counties- 1-800-421-8825
Matagorda County- 1-800-633-5686
Aransas, Bee, Live Oak and San Patricio counties- 1-800-841-6467
Brazoria and Galveston counties- 1-800-643-0967
Atascosa, McMullen and Zavala counties- 1-800-543-5750
- The FEMA toll-free registration number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The number for the hearing or speech impaired is (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
- Disaster Recovery Centers have been established for those who have already registered and who need to talk with someone about their application. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are in the centers to provide assistance with filling out SBA loan application packets. Crisis counselors are also in the centers.
Disaster Recovery Center locations are:
| Port Lavaca Memorial Medical Center 1300 N. Virginia at Hwy 35 Port Lavaca, Texas Suite 104 |
Palacios Eagle Hall 204 4th Street Palacios, Texas |
Victoria Dept. of Waste Water Administration Building Victoria, Texas |
The centers listed above are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additionally, a mobile Disaster Recovery Center is scheduled to be in the following locations:
| Brazoria County Precinct Headquarters 1432 Highland Park Drive Clute, Texas Thurs. Aug. 7 through Sat. Aug. 9 |
Matagorda County (two locations) VFW Hall 1805 Ingram Matagorda, Texas Mon. Aug. 11 through Wed. Aug. 13 |
VFW Hall 2412 HWY 457 Sargent, Texas Thurs. Aug. 14 through Fri. Aug. 15 |
All Mobile Disaster Recovery Center locations will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 08-Aug-2003 15:07:11