Where to find help with winter storm damage

Renters & Homeowners

Collin County has been included in the Individual Assistance Disaster Declaration by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With this declaration, individuals, businesses, and other private entities may be eligible to receive assistance from FEMA. These programs are for people who are uninsured or under insured, and they do not take the place of insurance. Residents will need to register with FEMA and FEMA will then make determinations on their eligibility and potential benefits. Officials advise that folks affected apply with their insurance first if they have it and also apply with FEMA.

Renters and homeowners can apply for assistance if they have received damage cause by the winter storm:

Set up an account and apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov. This will make it where a resident can upload their documents that will be required (such as proof of occupancy, insurance letters of awards or denials, and any other documents needed to submit). The account can also be checked to see where they are at in the application process.
A resident can also call 1-800-361-3362 and apply over the phone. Once they apply over the phone then the resident will have to fax or send in their documents.
FEMA may be able to assist homeowner and Renters who have insurance. Services cannot be duplicated, so residents will need to send in the documents stating what their insurance covered, and what it did not cover. There may be assistance available for things that insurance does not cover.

Small Business Administration

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Collin County businesses and residents as a result of the severe winter storms.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the SBA will establish a Virtual Business Recovery Center to provide personalized assistance to business owners. In addition, SBA will also open a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters. Customer Service Representatives will be available to business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center
& Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.25 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

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Where to find help with winter storm damage