San Antonio Flood Help Just Opened: Bexar County Families Can Now Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance

Big news for San Antonio families hurt by the July storms and flooding: on Friday, October 30, the federal government approved Texas’s appeal, and FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is now open to people in Bexar County. This is the FEMA program that helps households — not just cities and counties.

Earlier this fall, FEMA said no to this household help. Texas appealed, and the answer changed. If flood water damaged your home or your belongings this summer, you can now apply for federal disaster money.

What FEMA help can pay for

FEMA’s Individual Assistance can help with disaster costs like:

• Temporary housing while your home is being fixed
• Emergency home repairs
• Personal property losses that insurance did not cover, or only partly covered
• Disaster legal services
• Disaster unemployment assistance, if the storms cost you work
• Medical, dental, and funeral costs caused by the disaster

FEMA decides each case on its own facts. Applying is free, and applying does not promise an approval — but if you never apply, FEMA cannot help you.

Who can apply

People who had losses from the July 2026 storms and flooding in these 20 counties can now apply: Bexar, Bandera, Comal, Crockett, Dimmit, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Real, Schleicher, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala.

Bexar County is San Antonio. Comal and Medina are right next door, so many families in our area are covered.

How to apply — do these steps in order

1. If you have insurance, file your insurance claim first. FEMA help is for costs insurance does not cover, so FEMA will ask about your claim.
2. Then apply to FEMA, in the way that is easiest for you:
   • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
   • In the FEMA app on your phone
   • By phone at 800-621-3362
3. Apply as soon as you can. Disaster programs have sign-up deadlines. The exact last day for this approval was not posted yet when we checked FEMA’s page — you can confirm it at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone, but do not wait to start.

How we got here

On September 1, 2026, the president declared a major disaster for the July Texas storms (FEMA disaster 4935). At first, that declaration paid only for government and infrastructure work — not for families. On September 28, FEMA denied the household program. Texas appealed, and on Friday, October 30, the appeal was approved. That approval is what opened the door for families.

One thing is still undecided: a separate appeal for Hazard Mitigation money is still pending. That one has not been approved.

Flood damage often comes with other bills

A flooded home can mean missed work, spoiled food, a car that will not start, and higher bills all at once. FEMA is one door. You may also qualify for food help, rent and utility help, and other local programs.

Answer a few questions in our free 2-minute checker to see what you may qualify for: Check what you qualify for. If you would rather have help with the paperwork, you can ask for our free Apply for Me help. Both are free. Neither one promises you will be approved for any program — they help you find the help that fits your family, and apply for it.

Helpful links & phone numbers

• FEMA disaster help — apply or confirm your deadline: DisasterAssistance.gov · 800-621-3362
• FEMA’s page for this disaster (4935): fema.gov/disaster/4935
• Free local help line — dial 2-1-1 (2-1-1 Texas) for food, rent, and utility help near you
• San Antonio Benefits free checker: See what you may qualify for
• Apply for Me — free help with applications: Request free help

We checked these facts against the Governor of Texas’s October 30, 2026 announcement and FEMA’s disaster 4935 page on October 30, 2026. Programs can change — the FEMA links above always carry the newest word.