FEMA Disaster Assistance

Texas Severe Winter Storms Disaster Declaration and Resources

Applying for Assistance

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, go to DisasterAssistance.gov and follow the instructions. This may give you access to financial aid which can be used for things like temporary housing, repairs, and low-interest loans. FEMA assistance is available in other languages upon request.

FEMA will arrange a virtual inspection of your damaged home or property as part of your application review. The inspector might call you directly without warning, so be sure to answer all calls and texts. If the inspector can’t reach you, they might withdraw your application.

Tips for Applying

  1. Apply right away. The deadline is 60 days after the date of the disaster declaration unless FEMA extends it.

  2. Write down what you lost (ex. home, furniture, job) and what you need (ex. place to live, rent, home repairs).

  3. Wait to repair until FEMA inspects your damaged property.

  4. Keep a disaster notebook. Write down your FEMA application number and take notes every time you speak to someone at FEMA.

  5. Save all disaster-related documents, like copies of letters from FEMA and receipts.

  6. You will need your state or county-issued picture ID to prove your identity. Minors will need to show their social security card, birth certificate, and their parent or guardian’s picture ID.

  7. You will need to prove that you lived in your home when the disaster happened. You can use your driver’s license, utility bills, credit card bills, bank statements, pay stubs, voter registration card, lease, or rent receipts to do this. The documents need to be unexpired and/or dated within 3 months of the disaster date and have one of the applicant’s exact names and the exact damaged address.

  8. You will need to prove that you own your home. Some things FEMA will accept as proof you own the home are your deed, mortgage statement, property tax bill or receipt, mobile home certificate of title or notarized bill of sale, or a will or similar legal document naming you owner. If you do not have any of these documents, FEMA might accept receipts for maintenance and repairs to the home before the storm.

  9. When the FEMA inspector contacts you, reply right away and plan for someone to be present during the inspection. Be ready to show the documents described above and have your list of losses ready. You will need to show them each damaged area or item or they will not be considered for benefits.

  10. If you haven’t heard from FEMA, call them. Don’t apply a second time because it will cause problems with your claim. If you are denied, you have 60 days to file a written appeal. We recommend you get legal assistance right away with any appeals.

Types of FEMA Assistance

FEMA is able to respond to the needs of disaster survivors with a wide range of programs. Navigating these can be tricky, so we’ve broken it down below.

The Individuals and Households Program helps individuals directly with benefits for disaster damage and loss.

  • The Housing Assistance (HA) program helps with temporary living situations and home repair. It includes:

    • Lodging Expense Reimbursement — reimburses the costs of hotels or other short-term lodging after an evacuation

    • Rental Assistance — gives you up to 18 months of money to rent a living space while you repair your home

    • Manufactured Housing — gives you temporary housing in a mobile home

    • Direct Housing Assistance — FEMA rents hotel rooms to give you temporary housing

    • Home Repairs — gives you money to repair your disaster-damaged home

    • Home Replacement — gives you money to replace a home that you owned and lived in that was destroyed by a disaster

  • The Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program helps with losses not related to your home. These are broken down into two categories:

    • Small Business Administration Dependent ONA (you need to apply for a Small Business Administration loan and get denied before you can qualify for these)

      • Personal Property — gives you money to replace essential items like furniture and appliances

      • Transportation — gives you money to repair or replace a damaged vehicle

      • Moving and Storage — gives you money to cover costs of moving and storing essential items while a damaged home is repaired

    • Non-Small Business Administration Dependent ONA (can cover your needs regardless of whether or not you applied for an SBA loan)

      • Funeral — helps with costs of disaster-caused death, like funeral and reburial expenses

      • Medical and Dental — gives you money to help with costs of disaster-caused injury or illness, lost medication, lost medical equipment, and insurance co-pays

      • Child Care — a one-time payment for up to 8 weeks of childcare cost increases because of the disaster

      • Miscellaneous — reimbursement for the cost of buying and renting items used for repair or cleanup (like generators, chainsaws, and dehumidifiers)