Wise County Residential Safe Room Rebate Program

How it works

Wise County’s Safe Room Rebate Program is a reimbursement program run by the Wise County Office of Emergency Management. The county was approved for a FEMA Safe Room Grant in November 2025, and homeowners who are approved through the county can receive money back after they complete eligible installation work and provide the required documentation.

What the money covers

The program is for the installation of a certified safe room, also described on the page as a tornado shelter. Eligible safe room types include:

• interior safe rooms
• exterior safe rooms
• above-ground safe rooms
• in-ground safe rooms

The county says the program is not retroactive. If a homeowner installed a safe room before receiving approval from the Wise County Office of Emergency Management and a notice of acceptance, that work will not be rebated.

Amounts and matching

The rebate covers 50% of the total cost of installation, up to a maximum rebate of $3,000.

How to apply

Applications were accepted starting February 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. The page says applications could be submitted to the Wise County Office of Emergency Management, and provides contact options by phone or email for questions. The page also says homeowners must receive approval before work begins, because work completed before acceptance is not eligible for reimbursement.

Timing and deadlines

The page states the program is currently full. As of March 20, 2026, Wise County was no longer accepting waitlist applications.

Additional notes

The page directs applicants to linked program requirement materials for more information. It also identifies the program as funded through a FEMA safe room grant.