President Biden Announces Additional Federal Assistance for Texas Disaster Survivors

President Biden has taken a significant step in helping disaster survivors in Texas by amending the Major Disaster Declaration to authorize additional federal assistance. This move comes in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which has caused widespread destruction in 16 Texas counties.

Following a plea from several Texas politicians, President Biden acted swiftly to approve Individual Assistance under the FEMA program. The aim is to provide much-needed resources to residents who have been without power for days, facing extreme temperatures.

The federal assistance is specifically for those who are underinsured or uninsured. Survivors can register for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov. Make sure to apply for Hurricane Beryl assistance to access the financial aid available.

The eligible counties for the assistance include Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton. Initially left off the list, Fort Bend County has now been included for individual assistance following confirmation from County Judge KP George.

The assistance can cover a range of needs, including home repairs, temporary housing, low-interest loans, and other programs to support recovery efforts. This funding will make a significant impact in helping affected families rebuild and recover.

For residents in Harris County and the other impacted counties, the approval of Individual Assistance brings a sense of relief. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo expressed gratitude to President Biden and various partners for their swift action in providing aid to the affected communities.

How to Apply for Assistance

Apply by Phone at 800-621-3362

• Call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362.
• The helpline is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time with language translation available.
• FEMA operators can assist in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and other languages as needed.

Apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center

• Visit any Disaster Recovery Center for locations and hours, visit fema.gov/drc.

For more information and FAQs, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has introduced a tool called iSTAT for residents to report property damage. This tool helps assess the extent of damage and determine immediate needs, crucial for FEMA approval of individual disaster assistance.