FEMA approves flood assistance for 20 counties following appeal

Families recovering from July’s floods in 20 Texas counties can now apply for federal assistance after FEMA approved the state’s appeal of an earlier denial.  Eligible counties include Bexar, Bandera, Comal, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Uvalde and Zavala.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can help eligible survivors cover temporary housing, emergency home repairs and uninsured or underinsured personal property losses.  Other available support may include disaster legal services, disaster unemployment assistance and help with flood-related medical, dental and funeral expenses.

FEMA previously approved assistance for infrastructure repairs in some counties but denied individual assistance for 20 of the 30 counties in the state’s request.  The Texas Division of Emergency Management appealed that decision, leading to the approval.

Gov. Greg Abbott said a separate appeal for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding remains pending.  That funding would help communities reduce risks from future disasters.

Residents can apply for assistance at Disaster assistance.gov.