NOTE: FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for Individual Assistance to Thursday, November 30th.

HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following video urging Texans impacted by Hurricane Harvey to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to qualify for Public Assistance by tomorrow, Tuesday, October 31st, and Individual Assistance by Thursday, November 30th. Texans can register for Individual Assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by phone (1-800-621-3362), or in person.

The full video transcript is below, and may be viewed here.

“Hi, I’m Ted Cruz. In the face of the disaster that Hurricane Harvey wrought upon our Gulf Coast, Texas has stood strong and Texans have come together to help our own, and to rebuild. In Washington, we are working tirelessly to ensure that our state receives the recovery resources that we need. 

“For those who have been impacted and who need assistance, it is important that you are aware of two different and immediate deadlines.

“First, the deadline for state agencies, cities, school districts, and other government or non-profit entities to request Public Assistance in Texas is October 31, 2017. All submissions must be made no later than 5:00 p.m. central time on October 31st. The application process is simple. 

“You can go online to grants.dps.texas.gov and download the one-page Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form. The form should take no longer than 10 minutes to fill out.

“Once completed, you should submit the form to the email on your screen: TDEMRecovery.RPA@DPS.Texas.gov.

“Second, Texas individuals and households impacted by Hurricane Harvey can still apply for Individual Assistance through FEMA until the close of business on November 24, 2017. Individual Assistance provides financial help to those who suffered material loss as a result of the hurricane. It could include temporary housing, rental assistance, house repair or medical assistance, to name a few. 

“In order to qualify, you must first register with FEMA, which can be done one of three ways:

• Going online to www.disasterassistance.gov
• Calling 1-800-621-3362
• Or visiting one of the 56 Disaster Recovery Centers in the state (http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm) 

“Remember, if you don’t register before these deadlines – October 31st for Public Assistance and November 24th for Individual Assistance – you won’t be eligible for federal disaster relief. So, please, if you have any doubts whether you, your agency, your organization, or your family is eligible for Public Assistance or Individual Assistance, we strongly encourage you to go ahead and register.

“FEMA is currently sending federal relief funds to our state, but we all know there’s much more that needs to be done for Texas to recover and rebuild. And I’m committed to continuing to work to secure whatever resources are necessary so that the Lone Star State can rebuild even stronger. 

“God bless you, and God bless the great state of Texas.”

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