Texas Flood Assistance Tops $318 million: 90,000 Register For Assistance
Release Date: July 16, 2001
Release Number: 1379-61
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Houston, TX -- State/federal grants and loans totaling more than $318 million have been approved for people who sustained damages to their homes and personal property from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Allison.
- More than $131 million has been approved for individuals to assist them with temporary housing and minor home repairs.
- State officials have approved more than $111 million for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance. IFG may be used to cover disaster-related expenses, such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, transportation, and necessary or serious expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. The program is administered by the State and funded at 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the State.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved disaster loans totaling more than $76,545,000 to homeowners, renters and business owners that suffered losses as a result of the disaster. These loans are used to repair residences, replace lost or damaged personal property, help businesses repair physical damage and replenish working capital.
- To date, 90,000 residents in 30 declared counties have registered for disaster assistance.
- Thus far, more than 25,000 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). Currently, 14 centers are open, including a mobile DRC that travels to areas of greatest need. A mobile DRC will be located at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church this Monday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 18 and will operate from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day of operation.
- Individuals may register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-462-9029 (1-800-462-7585for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). Registration lines are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. If you have already applied for assistance, and want to check on the status of your application or update your current information, call the toll-free Helpline number 1-800-525-0321(TTY 1-800-462-7585). The Helpline is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
- The deadline for applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is July 16 in the 28 originally declared counties. The deadline to apply in Grimes and Harrison counties is July 23. To apply for DUA, people should call 713-982-7400. Outside the 713 area code, call 800-939-6631.
- DUA is available through the Texas Workforce Commission for those who lost income because of the disaster, including farmers, farm workers, migrant farm workers, and other self-employed individuals. Nearly 600 claims have been approved, and $71,000 disbursed in unemployment assistance.
3826 Wheeler Ave.
Houston, Texas
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 15:52:16