5 things to know: Oklahoma Insurance Department opens applications for roof upgrade assistance grant

Applications are open for Oklahoma homeowners to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to strengthen their roofs, the Oklahoma Insurance Department announced. The grants are part of OKReady, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program, which aims to help homeowners protect their properties against severe weather. Here are 5 things you need to know before applying:

1.The grants will fund roof upgrades and repairs

If approved, homeowners will receive up to $10,000 to ensure that their roof meets the standards of an Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED Home – Roof – High Wind designation with the Hail Supplement.

“Whatever we can do to help a homeowner protect their largest asset and make sure that they have protections that they didn't have previously, to keep their claims down, to keep their home safe and protected and keep them in their home,” Ashley Scott, director of the OID’s Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program, said.

The OID has allocated 100 grants for the first pilot phase.

2.Only residents in 8 zip codes are eligible

Based on storm data from recent years, 100 residents in the following zip codes can apply for an OKReady grant:

·73049 (Jones)

·73051 (Lexington/Slaughterville)

·73065 (Newcastle)

·73069 (Norman)

·73111 (East Oklahoma City)

·73127 (West Oklahoma City)

·73129 (Southeast Oklahoma City)

·73135 (Southeast Oklahoma City/I-240)

“Very large weather events have occurred in these areas,” Scott said.

The pilot program is designed to test application processing, address any technical issues, and ensure external partners can manage the grant demand.

3. Applicants will choose from an approved list of vendors

Approved applicants will be able to choose from an approved list of contractors and evaluators to complete construction projects on their home.

“There are going to be very specific things that have to happen. That is why we have approved contractors and evaluators that can work on the program,” Scott said.

Grants will be paid directly to contractors after a home receives the certification.

4.More zip codes will come later

 The department plans to launch additional pilot phases through 2025, with a goal of awarding 1,000 grants by year’s end.

“Our plan is to expand, yeah, we want to make sure that we're touching, different parts of the state through this pilot project,” Scott said.

5.Time is of the essence

Scott said the department would like to begin working on distributing the grants by the end of the week, and only 100 applicants will be approved for the first round of grants.

For more information on eligibility, required documents, and income tiers, visit oid.ok.gov/OKReady. Questions about the program or application process can be directed to okready@oid.ok.gov.