Storm victims can apply for assistance
By Jillian Lucas
FEMA has officially added Shackelford County to the list of areas eligible for Individual Assistance following February’s winter storm, with storm victims able to apply online or at a special time to be scheduled in the next few weeks.
According to information received on Friday from county judge Robert Skelton, all applications are due by Aug. 23, 2021.
More than three dozen local individuals and businesses completed a survey back in March in hopes that Shackelford County would be included on the list of Texas counties approved for FEMA assistance.
After waiting for several months, Skelton finally received news from the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the end of last week, stating that Shackelford County residents will be able to file for assistance for monetary help if they had losses due to the Feb. 13-17 storm.
“If you experienced damage during the 2021 winter storm, whether you filled out a survey in March or not, you can now apply for assistance,” Skelton explained.
Citizens or businesses will need to file online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Step-by-step instructions are provided on the website for those filling out a claim form.
“We are also planning to hold a ‘recovery event’ where assistance will be given in filing claims for those who may need help,” said Skelton.
He added that volunteers will be needed for the event.
“I will be seeking volunteers to commit to this opportunity to assist their neighbors,” he said. “These individuals will be trained prior to the event during a 30-minute virtual zoom meeting.”
The Texas Division of Emergency Management will assist with the training and recovery event.
All claims must be finalized by Aug. 23, 2021.
“Those filing claims will need to have some specific information available,” Skelton said. “Be sure to be ready to upload pictures of the damages or repairs, provide a list of damages, provide insurance documents indicating damages were not covered, verification if you have insurance, proof of identification, and proof of ownership of the damaged property.”
The recovery event has not yet been scheduled.
“I want to get the event set for early August,” said Skelton, “but we need to get the volunteers trained and comfortable before that happens.”
For more information, contact Skelton’s office at 325-762-9405.
