FEMA Offers Individual Assistance to Those Affected by Beryl

People in 15 counties affected by Hurricane Beryl can now apply for federal funding.

Yesterday, President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for more than 60 Texas counties affected by Hurricane Beryl.

Many residents were waiting for news of individual aid to help them cope with material losses, the economic impact of business closures and work stoppages due to lack of electricity or property damage.

Residents and business owners who suffered losses due to Beryl in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker and Wharton counties can now begin applying for federal assistance from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Individuals may be eligible for Serious Needs Assistance, a one-time payment of $750 per household to cover the costs of food, water, formula, breastfeeding supplies, medications and other emergency items, according to a FEMA news release.

Travel assistance will also be made available to cover housing costs for people who are unable to return home due to the disaster.

“Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” a FEMA news release sent Friday afternoon said.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans to small business owners and individuals to cover costs after a disaster. Applicants must reside in a declared disaster area to qualify for these loans, which can cover the costs of damage not covered by insurance, economic losses related to the disaster, improvements to a home or business to protect against future disasters, and more.

The agencies issued separate applications for damage caused by the Derecho storm in May and the recent hurricane. But FEMA disaster recovery centers that opened after the May storm began reopening this week for in-person applications and requests, FEMA spokesman Fabian Gutierrez said Thursday.

Individuals can also access information or apply by phone by calling 1-800-621-3362 or using the FEMA app.

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