Abbott Receives Approval on Disaster Declarations

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) recently announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) officially approved his request for disaster declarations in Texas communities affected by wildfires in the Panhandle.

The Texas counties that will benefit from the declarations are Armstrong, Carson, Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman and Wheeler.

“These disaster declarations will help Texans in communities affected by the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce wildfires receive critical financial assistance they need as they continue to recover and rebuild,” said Governor Abbott.

“Low-interest loans will be made available by the SBA to qualifying Texans who need assistance to rebuild their homes and businesses from these wildfires. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for their work with our federal partners to ensure impacted communities have the resources and assistance they need to move forward.”

According to the statement, “The SBA has granted access to its Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which will provide low-interest loans to qualifying homeowners, renters and businesses in affected communities following the Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire.”

The statement provided a link for applicants to apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications.

Abbott has passed a lot of legislation in the last few months. Recently, the governor announced bipartisan legislation that as of March 1, 2024, Texas was extending postpartum coverage to 12 months for eligible Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

“Working with partners in the Texas Legislature last year—including Senator Lois Kolkhorst and Representative Toni Rose—we delivered critical bipartisan legislation to extend postpartum coverage for Texas mothers from two months to one year,” said Gov. Abbott.

“By extending postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage, we will help ensure new mothers and the most vulnerable young Texans receive critical healthcare resources they need to care for their families and thrive,” said Abbott.