UPDATE: July 25

The federal government today granted Governor Greg Abbott's federal disaster request for Public Assistance for Austin, Brazoria, Burleson, Hardin, Liberty, Montgomery, Navarro, Throckmorton and Waller Counties, amending the June 11th disaster declaration following severe flooding across the State of Texas in May.

Additional counties may be added to the Governor’s request for assistance once they meet the threshold required by the federal government to request federal disaster aid.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - If you received damages during late May's severe weather you have until August 10 to register for FEMA assistance or to apply for the SBA loan. If you received damages in May and need assistance, and have not yet registered that damage, now is the time. There are three ways to register:

1. Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov

2. Call toll-free: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

3. Visit one of the three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Montgomery County.

When registering, all applicants will be asked for the following:

• Social Security number
• address of the damaged primary residence
• description of the damage
• information about insurance coverage
• a current contact telephone number
• an address where they can receive mail
• annual gross household income
• a bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
• identification and proof of occupancy such as a lease, rent receipt or utility bill

Additionally, homeowners are asked to provide proof of ownership such as a property deed or title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.

Important documents destroyed in the disaster may be duplicated with help from outside sources such as a county clerk’s office, insurance agency or utility company.

Damage Inspections Speed Up the Process

After registering for federal disaster assistance, a FEMA contract inspector contacts the applicant and makes an appointment to view the disaster damage. Applicants unable to be present for the inspection can designate someone in the household over 18 years of age to handle the inspection as long as that person was also living in the household prior to the disaster. If an inspection cannot be made, FEMA may not be able to finish processing the application.

FEMA inspectors have the applicant’s nine-digit case number assigned at registration and always carry FEMA identification badges with a photograph. Inspections are free; inspectors are not authorized to ask for personal financial information other than to verify information provided at registration.

The inspection may last only 10 or 20 minutes. The inspector does not make decisions on eligibility. After the inspection, applicants receive a letter from FEMA explaining their eligibility for assistance.

Assistance Grants

If eligible, homeowners may use FEMA housing assistance grants to repair or replace:

• plumbing, electrical and heating systems
• roofs, outside walls and foundations
• windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings and cabinetry
• septic and well systems
• mobile home resetting and anchoring, and reconnecting utilities

Both renters and homeowners may qualify for grants for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, such as clothing, child care, room furnishings and appliances, medical and dental costs, vehicles and moving and storage expenses.

It is important to note that you must register with FEMA for each incident separately. Again, if you registered for assistance in April, you must register again for the May Severe Weather assistance.

If you are a disaster survivor with unmet needs the Immediate Disaster Case Managers are here to help you and your family. The IDCM is a free service, confidential and available to all impacted residents. They are a single point of contact for a variety of resources and services.

Disaster Case Managers work with disaster survivors to identify disaster-caused unmet needs and to establish a disaster recovery plan. The Disaster Case Manager will refer disaster survivors to resources such as housing, clothing, food, transportation and other disaster caused unmet-needs.

They are located at:

United Way Office 1^st floor

1600 Lake Front Circle

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Open every day from 10am – 7pm

They can provide you with:

• Information on resources available in your area
• Assistance with FEMA registration or appeals
• Relocation services
• Creating a personal recovery plan to overcome issues caused by the floods
• Disaster-related unmet needs

The trucks are still out picking up debris. If you have debris that needs to be picked up report it by calling 936-523-3916.

You can also visit their website or call for information about locations and hours of operation:

SETexasFloodAssistance2016.com

1-855-742-5881

1-800-735-2989 for TTY – English

1-800-662-4954 fir TTY – Spanish

Stay alert for scams always ask for identification before inviting any one into your home. If you suspect criminal activity contact law enforcement.

For more FEMA information you may go to http://www.fema.gov/ or the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management website www.mctxoem.org.