The City of Dallas has created an Emergency Home Repair Program that will have $2,000,000 to allocate to organizations that will qualify low-to-moderate income homeowners to offer them a grant up to $10,000 to repair their home that was damaged due to the storm. The organization must be able to administer case management and procure contractors.

The Eligible Repairs are:

• Wall/Floor removal
• Sewer lines
• Gas lines
• Water lines and/or water damage
• Roof
• Electrical System
• HVAC units
• Plumbing fixtures – including sink pipes and toilets damaged by the freezing conditions
• Mold remediation

The Eligible Participants need to:

• Be homeowners within the City of Dallas
• Have household incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI),
• Have Experienced damage(s) to their primary residence caused by the 2021 Texas Severe Winter Storm which risks causing harm to the life, health, or safety of the occupants

The Request for Applications can be found here. Applications will be accepted starting on Thursday, February 25, 2021.

Registration Link

Many Texans who have suffered winter storm damage can apply now for help from FEMA.

President Joe Biden signed a major disaster declaration Friday for 77 Texas counties, including much of Dallas-Fort Worth. That allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to distribute assistance for needs including temporary lodging, home repairs and uninsured property losses.

FEMA said people should file insurance claims and begin to clean up and make repairs as soon as it’s safe to do so. It can’t duplicate insurance benefits, but it may be able to pay for costs that insurance doesn’t cover.

FEMA suggests taking photos of damage and cleanup efforts to document repairs and to keep receipts for cleanup and repair costs.

People may apply online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

FEMA asks applicants to have the following ready:

• A current phone number
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying
• Your Social Security number
• A list of damage and losses
• Your insurance policy number or insurance agent and company name

Read more on Dallas Morning News

Here are the specific steps that a property owner or renter must take to start the recovery process:

Step One: Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.

Step Two: Make a list of damaged/lost items.

Step Three: If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company.

Step Four: Information should you have ready when applying for assistance?

• A current phone number where you can be contacted.
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
• Your Social Security number, if available.
• A general list of damage and losses.
• If insured, the insurance policy number, or the agent and company name.

Step Five: Now that you’re ready to apply now for disaster assistance or you would like more information on the types of assistance available, please utilize one of the following methods.

To apply for assistance online, visit disasterassistance.gov. To do so over the phone, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The lines will be in operation seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

If you get a denial letter, please read it. It is probably because there is documentation that you need to provide. If you don’t understand the letter call the help line and inquire on why was denied.

FEMA Information in American Sign Language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=hUrdKaE9SVQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw&feature=youtu.be

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s acting Administrator Tami L. Perriello announced.

The declaration covers 77 Texas counties as a result of the severe winter storms that began on Feb. 11, 2021.  See below for the list of declared counties.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help businesses and residents affected by this disaster,” said Perriello. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

In consideration of the public health concerns due to the Coronavirus pandemic, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, SBA will establish a Virtual Business Recovery Center to provide personalized assistance to business owners.  In addition, SBA will also open a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters.  Customer Service Representatives will be available to business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monday – Friday | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov | (800) 659-2955

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.25 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The 77 counties are:  Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson and Wise.

IRS Tax Relief for Texas Winter Storm Victims

HUD Assistance for Texas Winter Storm Victims