FEMA Grants Another Registration Extension For Texans 

Release Date: January 10, 2009
Release Number: 1791-359

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended to Feb. 6 the deadline for Texas homeowners, renters and business owners to apply for federal and state disaster assistance for damages and losses caused by Hurricane Ike.

The Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) requested another extension, citing a continued flow of new applications from Texans for disaster assistance.

"This extension gives Texans more time to apply for disaster aid," said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun.  "We hope those impacted by Ike who have delayed in applying for aid will use this added time to register with FEMA by Feb. 6."

Assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real or personal property.

"Our mission is to serve everyone eligible for FEMA assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. De Blasio Sr. "We encourage anyone who sustained damages by Ike to register with FEMA as soon as possible."

Texans who had damage or uninsured losses and have not yet registered can do so online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. Both numbers are available 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

Several FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers remain open to serve disaster victims. A complete list of centers is available at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/dr1791_drc_list.htm.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 12-Jan-2009 08:49:30