FEMA assistance is limited to basic needs. It will not restore all property lost due to the Texas storms and flooding. Insurance coverage is the best way to recover after a disaster. However, FEMA assistance for personal property may be available if you are uninsured or underinsured.
Types of Assistance
- Appliances: Includes standard household appliances, such as a refrigerator, washing machine, etc.
- Clothing: Essential clothing needed due to loss, damage or contamination.
- Home Furnishings: Basic furnishings found in a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
- Tools Required for Work and School: Tools and equipment required for your job and items required for education purposes. This assistance also applies to self-employed individuals.
- Computing Devices: This includes one personal or family computer. You may be eligible for funds for additional computers required for work or school that were damaged by the disaster.
- Accessible Items: FEMA provides assistance for damaged personal property required for eligible applicants with disabilities.
Eligibility Conditions
- Items must have been owned prior to the Texas storms that began April 26 and been damaged by the storms.
- Items were owned and being used by occupants of the household.
- FEMA may not repair or replace a storm-damaged item if you own a similar item that works.
- FEMA does not provide assistance for furnishings and/or appliances provided by a landlord.
- Items used by guests and relatives who were not members of the pre-disaster household are not eligible for assistance.
Homeowners and renters can apply to FEMA in several ways:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc.