CITY OF BUDA WINTER STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
BUDA, TX - March 2, 2021 - In light of the recent winter storm and to help relieve the financial burden on residents and businesses, the City of Buda is offering winter storm recovery assistance.
Leak Adjustments
If you had a water leak during the recent winter storm, the City has a program to help. We have provided two ways below to fill out the leak adjustment form:
Visit https://budatx.watersmart.com/Leak. If you do not have a Watersmart account please select the “I don’t have an account” button and then enter your contact information before preceding to the form.
Second Option: Please fill out and return this pdf document . You can mail or email this document.
Single Trade Permit Fees
The City is waiving single trade permit fees for repairs related to winter storm and sub-freezing temperatures for 60 days. If you are making plumbing, electrical or irrigation repairs related to damage caused by the winter storm, it is important that you apply for a permit. Permit fees will be waived for repair work only.
Fees Waived:
Residential Single Trade Inspections: $75
Or
Commercial Single Trade Inspections: $150
Online Permitting Fee: $10
Permit Processing Fee: $10
How to apply for a permit: http://ci.buda.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/6133
Utility Late Fees
Utility late fees will be waived and the City is suspending utility disconnections for 60 days.
Fund donations
The City will donate approximately $20,000 to local food banks and establish a contingency fund for additional relief related to the winter storm.
Statewide Resources
Texas Damage Survey
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) are encouraging Texans to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey (https://tdem.texas.gov/warming-center/) to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather. This data is also needed to provide information to FEMA and highlight the need for federal disaster assistance for individuals.
The voluntary survey, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by visiting: www.TDEM.texas.gov/warm. Reporting damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency, and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.
For further information or assistance, call the FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. This number is also for users of 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS). TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585. Helpline services are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. If you are having technical issues, call FEMA's Internet Help Desk at 1-800-745-0243. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
FEMA Individual Assistance Programs
President Joe Biden formally declared a major disaster in Texas related to the winter storm that began on Feb. 11, 2021. This declaration makes federal assistance available to Hays County residents, including temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and more.
FEMA Individual Assistance Programs Fact Sheet
Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance
Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Programs
The federal disaster declaration for this storm also makes assistance available to Hays County businesses. Applications for physical damage must be filed by April 20, 2021 and those for economic injury must be filed by Nov. 20, 2021.
SBA Disaster Loans Fact Sheet
Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan
Snap Benefit Replacements Due to Winter Storm
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received federal approval to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to the severe winter weather. Recipients need to apply for replacement food benefits for both regular SNAP allotments and SNAP emergency allotments provided in response to COVID-19.
Requesting Replacement Benefits
SNAP clients are encouraged to stay home and request replacement benefits through one of the following options:
Dial 2-1-1 and select option 2.
There are reports of 2-1-1 experiencing intermittent technical difficulties. If you call and are unable to get through, you can also:
· Download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed Food Stamp Benefits),
o Once completed, the form can be faxed to 1-877-447-2839, or
o Mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027.
For more information on disaster assistance, visit Receiving Disaster Assistance on the HHSC website.
Administered by HHSC, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.6 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Texas. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at Your Texas Benefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits. To find local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 and select option 1.
Winter Shock Cleanup Hotline: 844-965-1386
Austin Disaster Relief Network: 512-806-0800
Crisis Cleanup: 800-329-8052
(For Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties)
