U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (TX-8) says Hurricane Harvey victims should apply sooner, rather than later, for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"There are tens of thousands of people applying. I recommend moving quickly if you have storm damage. I suggest Texans apply – period – if they have been damaged by the storm," said Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
With so many applications already being processed by FEMA, a delay in applying will only prolong the recovery.
"The disaster relief will help those without flood insurance and those who do depending on how much they are covered," Brady said. "If you have a question about whether your damage is covered, apply anyway. Let the FEMA caseworkers decide your eligibility."
If an applicant is denied assistance through FEMA, other options may be available, Brady said, such as low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration. These loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, non-profits. The interest rate can be as low as 4 percent for people who cannot obtain credit elsewhere or as high as 8 percent for those who can. SBA will make the determination.
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TEXAS COUNTIES IN THE DISASTER DECLARATION
A-G
Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend
G-L
Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kerr, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Live Oak
M-Z
Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Willacy and Wilson
However, the loan process still requires an initial application be made through FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Brady is working with U.S. Representatives Brian Babin (TX-36), Ted Poe (TX-2) and others who represent districts in the impacted areas to put together a recovery package that will provide more federal funding.
On Saturday, they were successful in a request to President Donald Trump to get crucial funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures. The President authorized an increase of 90 percent federal funding for debris removal, up from the previous 75 percent.
"Right now FEMA has money but more needs to be made available, and of course there will be," said Poe. "We are doing what we can to get supplemental funding targeted for immediate relief. Then we'll have more as we get a better idea of costs."
Currently 58 Texas counties have been named to the federal disaster declaration. To put that in context, that is roughly 23 percent of the state's total 254 counties.
"There will also be several parishes in Louisiana included in the declaration," Poe said.
Poe says he lived through hurricanes Carla, Katrina, Ike, Rita, Gustav, Allison and Alicia, but feels Harvey is worse because of the total land mass impacted and the extent of the flooding.
"This will be the worst natural disaster, as far as money-wise, in American history. You can add all those other storms together and this will be more costly," Poe said.
The three representatives agree that their pride and respect for Texas was heightened as they watched neighbor helping neighbor, and people risking their lives to save others, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status. They say it has not gone unnoticed in Washington, D.C.
"I can't say enough how much we appreciate the emergency responders. It's our local people on the ground who made the difference in this storm. All of these volunteers who went out to help one another," Brady said.
Babin said Texas will never forget its neighbor to the east – Louisiana – for the outpouring of support during the hurricane.
"The state of Louisiana really bellied up to help us in every way. Not just Louisiana, but we've had folks from Florida, Oklahoma and all over to help us," he said.
