FEMA Disaster Assistance
On March 19th, 2016, our office received official notice that Governor Abbott's presidential federal disaster declaration for Orange, Jasper and Newton Counties has been approved, which triggers the release of federal funds to help local communities recover from the historic flooding. My staff and I have been working tirelessly to see that this designation was made to ensure our fellow neighbors get the financial help they so desperately need.
Individuals in Jasper, Newton, and Orange Counties can register the following ways:
*Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
*Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
Please have the following available:
*Your address with zip code
*Directions to your property
*Condition of your damaged home
*Insurance information, if available
*Social Security Number
*Phone number where you can be contacted
*Address where you can get mail
*Declaration Number: FEMA-4266-DR
Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for:
*Temporary housing
*Essential home repairs
*Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses
*Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
If you are having trouble applying for FEMA assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Orange District Office at 409-883-8075.
Help from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
What You Need to Know
* SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
* Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury.
*SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.
*If you are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to SBA. SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.
*Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.
*Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.
What You Need to Do
*Begin by registering with FEMA, if you haven’t already done so, call (800) 621-3362.
* Homeowners and renters should submit their SBA disaster loan application, even if they are not sure if they will need or want a loan. If SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases they refer you to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for possible additional assistance.
Three Ways to Apply to SBA (After you register with FEMA)
* Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
* Apply in person at any Disaster Recovery Center and receive personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative. For additional information or to find a location near you visit our website at: http://www.sba.gov/disaster or call SBA at (800) 659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.
* Apply by mail: complete a paper application and mail it to SBA at:
14925 Kingsport Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
* DUA is now available for workers and the self-employed who have been unable to work because of the disaster. DUA is available to those working in or commuting to a designated county whose work has been affected.
*To apply, call 800-939-6631 or go online to http://www.texasworkforce.org/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services. The deadline to apply was April 20 for Jasper, Newton and Orange counties; April 27 for Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Hood, Marion and Parker counties and May 9 for Henderson, Limestone, Shelby and Tyler counties.
Other Disaster Assistance Information and Referral Services
*Texans seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs should call 211, a statewide information and referral service. Anyone using a relay service should call 877-541-7905.
*FEMA’s Disaster Fraud Hotline is 866-720-5721. If you are the victim of a home repair scam or price gouging, call the Office of the Texas Attorney General at 800-252-8011.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
*Representatives from the state, FEMA, SBA and other agencies at the centers can provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources; explain written correspondence from FEMA; inform survivors of the status of their application; make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.
*Survivors in any of the designated counties may visit any DRC location.
Jasper County
Jasper County Annex Bldg. (1st Floor)
271 East Lamar
Jasper, TX 75957
Newton County
Deweyville Senior Center (Parking Lot)
43435 State Hwy 87 South
Orange, TX 77632
Hartburg Baptist Church
2316 County Road 4181
Orange, TX 77632
Iris & Annie Howard Civic Center
213 Court Street
Newton, TX 75966
Orange County
Northway Shopping Center
3777 N 16th St. Suite 100
Orange, TX 77630
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