EAGLE PASS, Texas -- Disaster assistance for Atascosa County, Texas is now available for homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms of April 21-24, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was approved based on a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials. Atascosa joins the counties of Denton, Maverick, Moore and Swisher previously designated disaster areas under a declaration issued by President Bush on May 1, 2007.

There are two easy ways to begin the application process. You may call to FEMA?s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice, and multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Residents with Internet access have the option to register on the agency?s website at www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information is also available.

Paulison said calling or registering online is the only way to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs that can include funding for temporary disaster housing assistance, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property and housing repair; replacement grants to help meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs; and disaster unemployment assistance.

Callers are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:

• Your current phone number;
• Your Social Security number, if available;
• A general list of damages and losses you suffered;
• If insured, your insurance policy number, or the agent's and company name;
• General financial information; and
• Bank account code if you wish to speed up your assistance with direct deposit.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.