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Assist for owners in Texas
Winter storm Uri wreaked havoc on the Lone Star State two weeks in the past — in addition to the thousands and thousands of properties inside it.
Luckily, there are aid packages that may assist.
President Biden declared a pure catastrophe for Texas final week, and that has opened the doorways to FEMA funds and different federal aid packages for its residents.
Property tax exemptions, non permanent housing shelters, and different forms of help are additionally accessible.
Are you struggling because of the current winter storms within the state? Listed below are the packages that may be capable to assist.
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FEMA catastrophe aid
As a result of winter storm Uri was declared a pure catastrophe, funds from FEMA (the Federal Emergency Administration Company) have been made accessible to assist these affected.
FEMA aid funds can be utilized for a wide range of wants.
If your own home has been rendered unsafe or unlivable, these funds can go towards non permanent housing or lodge prices. They may also be used for house repairs or changing private property (even automobiles) that have been broken within the storm.
To use for FEMA aid, you’ll want:
- Images of the harm
- An inventory of any misplaced or broken private objects
- Your tackle
- Your Social Safety quantity
- Your house insurance coverage particulars (if the house is insured)
You’ll be able to then apply on-line at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA cell app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
There are additionally in-person FEMA Catastrophe Restoration Facilities that may assist. You’ll additionally discover these at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Catastrophe aid from HUD
The Division of Housing and City Improvement (HUD) can also be providing numerous types of aid for Texans.
Right here’s what it’s doing to assist owners:
- Foreclosures safety: HUD has instituted a 90-day ban on foreclosures of FHA-financed properties in Texas. So in case your mortgage is an FHA mortgage and also you’re not in a position to make funds, you’ve gotten at the very least three months earlier than your mortgage servicer can begin the foreclosures course of
- Reconstruction loans: If your own home was severely broken and should be reconstructed or rehabilitated, HUD is making FHA 203(h) loans accessible. These loans can be utilized to buy a brand new house or rebuild a broken house. Debtors don’t have to make a down cost and might finance all closing prices
- Housing counseling: HUD additionally has free housing counselors prepared to assist. They’ll stroll you thru the assorted catastrophe aid choices you may be eligible for, in addition to present monetary steering should you’re having hassle making your own home funds
For those who need assistance together with your FHA-backed house, you should utilize this HUD resource center as a place to begin.
Assist with utility payments
Many Texans have been hit with hovering power payments within the wake of the storm. Whereas no particular aid program has been introduced for these points simply but, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has mentioned that state officers are investigating the fees.
“It’s unacceptable for Texans who suffered via days within the freezing chilly with out electrical energy or warmth to now be hit with skyrocketing power prices,” Abbott mentioned.
“To guard households, I’m actively working with the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the home, and members of the Legislature to develop options to make sure that Texans aren’t on the hook for unreasonable spikes of their power payments.”
Gov. Abbott has additionally ordered firms to halt energy and fuel shut-offs in the intervening time.
For those who’ve been issued a pricey power invoice because of the storm, your supplier can’t reduce off your energy or fuel service till the investigation is full.
Different aid choices for owners
If your own home was broken within the storm, you may additionally qualify for a short lived property tax exemption, which reduces your property taxes only for 2021.
These exemptions differ by county and degree of injury, however up to now, the next counties have all introduced non permanent tax reductions for affected owners:
- Harris County (Houston)
- Tarrant County (Fort Value)
- Collin County (north of Dallas)
Examine together with your county’s appraisal district to see what exemptions you may be eligible for.
There are additionally emergency shelter choices you may head to should you’re unable to remain in your house.
You could find shelters in your space on the FEMA app or by texting your SHELTER plus your ZIP code (for instance: SHELTER 90210) to 43362.
Householders insurance coverage claims
When you have owners insurance coverage, ensure to file a declare together with your insurer earlier than making use of for FEMA funds.
In keeping with FEMA, federal funds can solely be used for uncovered losses, so your insurance coverage firm might want to cowl its portion of the damages earlier than federal funds can be utilized.
In lots of circumstances, house insurance coverage will cowl burst pipes, in addition to the flooding and different damages they’ll trigger in your property.
Your insurance coverage may additionally cowl relocation prices and dwelling bills if it’s essential to transfer off-site whereas the harm is repaired.
For those who’re planning to file a declare, ensure to {photograph} any seen harm and begin a listing of things you already know have been affected, together with a tough estimate of their price/worth. Your insurer will want this info when tallying up damages.
Lastly, name your insurance coverage firm as quickly as doable should you plan on submitting your declare. Many firms are backed up because of the storm — as are plumbers and different restore professionals — so getting your declare rolling ASAP is vital.
When you have questions on submitting your declare or some other insurance-related difficulty, go to the Texas Department of Insurance for assist.
Who qualifies for Texas catastrophe aid?
Federal aid funds are reserved for Texans within the 77 counties listed here.
You’ll want a Social Safety quantity and proof that you simply’re the owner-occupant of your own home to be eligible.
You additionally should be uninsured or underinsured, that means your own home insurance coverage doesn’t cowl the complete extent of the damages your property suffered.
For those who do have house insurance coverage, you’ll want to offer documentation of the declare you filed and any funds obtained earlier than you may obtain federal support.
The underside line
For those who have been impacted by final month’s winter storms, you’re not with out choices. FEMA, HUD, and numerous municipalities are prepared to assist.
For extra info, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or name 1-800-621-3362 now.
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