Two additional Texas counties added to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program

AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) - Saturday Governor Greg Abbott announced that the federal government has updated the Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Beryl to include 17 Texas counties now eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program.

On Friday, 15 counties were announced. The 17 now includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton.

“This approval to include 17 counties for FEMA assistance is a crucial step forward to help Texans and communities recover and rebuild after Hurricane Beryl,” said Governor Abbott. “We continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to assess damages as part of Texas’ ongoing response to ensure all necessary resources, funding, and assistance are available to support impacted communities. Texans who sustained damage to their home or business are encouraged to report it using the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s iSTAT damage survey to help determine if counties are eligible for financial assistance. I thank all the state and local officials, emergency response personnel, and first responders who continue to work tirelessly to help their fellow Texans in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.”

A release from the Governor’s office says a request from Texas to the federal government to reopen the incident period and instead designate it as “continuing” amid the ongoing response and recovery to Hurricane Beryl remains pending with FEMA.

Texans are urged to submit online damage surveys to report damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. iSTAT surveys can be filled out in English and Spanish by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking “July 7th - Ongoing Hurricane/Tropical Storm Beryl.”

Before the storm, on Saturday Acting Governor Dan Patrick added 81 counties to the state’s Hurricane Beryl Disaster Declaration, which included all of the Brazos Valley.

On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott announced that 67 Texas counties were approved by President Biden for federal disaster assistance as part of a Major Disaster Declaration.

That declaration allows for reimbursement to local governments and some nonprofits. Saturday’s announcement allows individuals in 17 counties to make claims.

According to FEMA, Texans who applied for FEMA assistance after the April 26-June 5 storms and flooding, and who had additional damage or losses from Hurricane Beryl, can make a separate application for Hurricane Beryl assistance.

In a release, FEMA says disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Texans access to a wider range of assistance and immediate funds for serious needs.

New Benefits Available ▪ Serious Needs Assistance: A one-time $750 payment per household to help pay for essential items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. ▪ Displacement Assistance: Money to help with immediate 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 for other options while you look for temporary housing.

To apply go to disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT.