What to know about applying for FEMA relief in Bell County, Texas

TEMPLE, Texas — Central Texans with damage from last week’s storms and tornadoes can now apply for financial assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The agency said it may help with expenses like temporary housing and emergency home repairs. 

FEMA said it may help with expenses that aren’t already covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may have eligible expenses. FEMA will not pay insurance deductibles but could assist in other expenses that were incurred as a result of storm damage.

You can start your application online or through FEMA’s mobile app. FEMA’s telephone helpline, reachable at 800-621-3362, is answered from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

FEMA spokesperson Craig Browning said FEMA will ask if at least one person in the home has a Social Security number.

It will also look for verification that the person lived in the declared disaster area. That application checklist can be found here.

FEMA said it typically verifies home occupancy through an automated public records search. If it can’t, FEMA said it will contact applicants for more information.

If an inspection of a property is required, Browning said FEMA will send an inspector in person.

“Take pictures of the damage before you begin your recovery process,” Browning told 6 News. “That way we can document the steps that you’ve taken, the repairs that you’ve made.”

Browning said the inspector will typically show up about three to four days after an application is submitted. He said residents will receive a phone call from an unknown number, in most instances, when an inspector is trying to reach them.

Browning said the inspector is not authorized to make decisions about your assistance application. The amount of financial help would depend on each person and their sustained damage.

“We want to hear from you and how this tornado impacted you,” Browning said.

FEMA said it would not pay for assistance until your insurance determines what it will pay.

Browning said if you receive a letter that says you are currently ineligible for FEMA assistance, the letter will lay out the steps you need to move your application forward.

Browning said in most instances when dealing with your insurance company, the agency may need a determination letter from the company to move the application along.

FEMA said Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are set up in Bell County and can help people register with FEMA. 

“There’s already $48 million on the streets in Texas directly in the hands of survivors of these storms from northern Texas to southern Texas and all the way to the Louisiana border,” Browning said. 

Browning said to ask for FEMA identification from anyone who claims to represent the agency before providing personal information. As FEMA notes on its website, Disaster Survivor Assistance teams would not ask for a fee or accept money for help filling out applications. A FEMA shirt, vest or jacket is not proof of identity.

“There are bad actors out there that prey on folks who have been through disaster,” Browning said. “If someone shows up at your property claiming to be with FEMA, ask to see their federal ID.”

According to Browning, FEMA inspectors will schedule a time for a damage inspection. If an inspector contacts you and you have not applied for FEMA assistance, let FEMA know. That may be a sign someone fraudulently used your information to apply.

However, Browning said you may see FEMA disaster survivor assistance teams out canvassing the area.

“We strongly urge anyone who was impacted by these storms to apply for FEMA assistance,” Browning said. “However, if you have homeowners insurance or renters insurance, that has to come first before you can apply for additional funding because by law we cannot duplicate monetary support.”