FEMA is continuing to bring awareness to local residents about disaster assistance in support of those working to recover from the recent flooding and heavy rains that impacted the livelihoods and dwellings of many in Polk County.
A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is located on the second floor of the Livingston Municipal Library located at 707 N. Tyler Ave. in Livingston “We are finding lots of people still are just now learning or may still NOT know about the disaster assistance being offered by FEMA as we continue working in partnership with the State of Texas. With a deadline of July 16, homeowners, renters and students impacted can still apply for standard disaster assistance,” La-Tanga Hopes, a FEMA media relations specialist, said.
Standard disaster assistance applies to homeowners, renters and students with or without insurance.
“While our programs focus on homeowners being able to repair and rebuild their property after disasters, our agency is also able to help those with limited or no resources as well. Serious needs assistance provides individuals or families with about $750 available to them quickly,” Hopes said.
FEMA provides money for housing assistance (repair or rebuild), medical/dental, moving and storage expenses, personal property (generators, dehumidifiers, chainsaws), transportation and flood insurance if need be.
Although the July 16 deadline is nearing, Hopes said several additional assistance programs have recently been rolled out, including help for loss of tools and equipment, damaged wells and septic systems, free disaster legal assistance and assistance with privately-owned roads and bridges.
“If you are self-employed, FEMA may be able to provide funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment required for your work. This help is available to a wide range of applicants, including farmers, artists, musicians, mechanics and many other occupations,” Hopes said. “FEMA may also be able to help if you are an employee and you lost tools or equipment required for your job and not reimbursable by your employer.” To find out if you are eligible, go online to disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA app for mobile devices or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 any day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages.
For private wells and septic systems, FEMA may reimburse you for the cost of a professional, licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate detailing the necessary repairs or replacement of your disaster-damaged systems. In addition to the technician’s estimate, FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or replacement cost of your septic system or private well, which typically are not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Call the FEMA helpline at 800621-3362.
Free legal assistance is available to Texans who were affected by the storms and flooding. If you have disaster-related legal issues and cannot afford an attorney, you may qualify for this assistance. Call the Texas State Bar hotline at 800-504-7030 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Calls are answered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
If you had a privately-owned road or bridge damaged or destroyed in the storms and flooding, FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration may provide financial assistance for replacement or repairs. To qualify, you must be the owner and the home must serve as your primary residence.
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