Apply by March 13 for Texas Wildfire Disaster Individual Assistance
Release Date: February 14, 2006
Release Number: 1624-009
» More Information on Texas Extreme Wildfire Threat
AUSTIN, Texas - Federal and state disaster recovery officials advise Texans who suffered damages from the recent Texas wildfires that March 13 is the last day to apply for assistance.
The presidential declaration makes Individual Assistance available to affected individuals and families in Callahan, Cooke, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Montague, Palo Pinto, Tarrant and Wise counties.
Those who suffered damage are encouraged to register online at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing-and speech-impaired. The toll-free numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Applicants should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
"This financial assistance is intended to ease the pain of serious disaster losses," said Sandy Coachman, federal coordinating officer for the Texas wildfire recovery effort. "The federal and state disaster assistance program is there to offer individuals a helping hand to recovery."
"Together with our partners in FEMA, we will make sure that the benefits of our collective assistance programs go to the people in our wildfire counties who are suffering losses," said State Coordinating Officer Frank Cantu, representing the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM).
FEMA provides assistance to wildfire victims who have necessary disaster-related expenses and serious needs that are not covered by insurance. Assistance for individuals and families who suffered damage can include:
- Grants to rent a different place to live if the damaged house is unlivable. Initial temporary housing assistance may be provided for one month for homeowners and one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested based on a review of individual applicant requirements.
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.
- Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Grants are not awarded to reimburse households for spoiled food or the loss of freezer and refrigerator contents due to lack of power.)
- Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans up to $200,000 are available to repair/replace real estate and $40,000 to repair/replace personal property.
There are penalties for falsely reporting disaster damages. FEMA and GDEM are coordinating a joint effort to uncover fraud attempts. People who encounter fraudulent scams should report them to their local law enforcement or the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at 1-800-337-3928.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 19-May-2006 11:05:40