As we come together in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, I want to assure you that my team and I are here to help you during this difficult time. The destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl has left many of our family, friends, and neighbors in urgent need of assistance.
On July 12, 2024, the Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas was amended to provide Individual Assistance for Brazoria, Harris, Matagorda, and Wharton counties. These counties have already been designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. As of July 13, 2024, Fort Bend County qualifies for Individual Assistance as well.
Below, you will find important information on the resources available through FEMA and guidance on how to access this assistance.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. We are here to help you navigate this process and to support you every step of the way.
Hurricane Beryl
Residents living in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, Matagorda, and Wharton counties are now eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance due to Hurricane Beryl impacts.
Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, please visit this link. If you have access to Wi-Fi and your electronic devices have power, applying online is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to apply.
If you have any questions, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Wait times may be unusually high and applying online at disasterassistance.gov is the quickest way to complete an application now.
What you'll need when you apply:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying now
- Your Social Security number
- A general list of damage and losses
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
Recovery
Individuals and families in these counties may be eligible to receive Serious Needs Assistance, which is a one-time $750 payment per household for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breast feeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies.
Eligible survivors may also receive Displacement Assistance, which is money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a more permanent housing solution.
In addition to Serious Needs and Displacement Assistance, eligible survivors may receive money for rental assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to Hurricane Beryl.
People who applied for and received FEMA assistance for the severe storms that occurred in April can still apply and receive assistance for damage as a result of Hurricane Beryl if their primary home is located in one of the 17 declared counties.
Residents in any Texas county who experienced property damage are encouraged to report their damage using the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s online Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov.
Be Alert to Fraud After a Disaster
Texans should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after Hurricane Beryl. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.
If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.
If you did not apply for assistance, but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline will submit a request to stop any further processing of that application.
If you do want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.
Scams
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors and other officials are working in areas impacted by the hurricane. They carry official identification badges with photo IDs. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.
Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment. They don’t represent FEMA.
Don't give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.
How to Report Fraud
If you believe you are the victim of fraud or a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.
If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: [email protected], fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division, 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005, Washington, DC 20472-3005.
If you suspect identity theft, please visit Identity Theft | FTC Consumer Information or IdentityTheft.gov.
To view an accessible video about fraud, visit: FEMA Accessible: Fraud FEMA (youtube.com)
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