New Aid In Oklahoma Is Helping Homeowners Fix Their Roofs - But How Can You Tell If You Qualify?

Oklahoma is a state of extremes. Its weather is humid-subtropical in the east, and semi-arid in the west. It experiences extreme heat and extreme cold, and both floods and droughts. Located between the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast, and the Rocky Mountains to the northwest, Oklahoma is the perfect meeting place for hot and cold air, resulting in a multitude of extreme weather events. 

Due to the number of wind, hail, and tornado-damaged homes, the Oklahoma Insurance Department passed a bill granting Oklahoma homeowners $10,000 towards a new FORTIFIED Home Roof™ with high wind designation and hail supplement. The money is paid directly to the contractor once the upgrade is complete, and the homeowner will begin receiving discounts on the wind portion of their insurance premium. Discounts for qualifying homes can vary from 3% to 42% based on the carrier. 

This program, known as OKReady Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH), is still in the pilot stage. The first pilot launch in March 2025 included 10 zip codes, and the second in May 2025 added an additional 17. You can find a full list of included zip codes here. These zip codes were chosen because they are areas most impacted by damaging storms. If you own a home in one of these zip codes, you should qualify for the $10,000 roof upgrade, and once an evaluation has been completed to ensure your new roof meets FORTIFIED standards, you will begin receiving the insurance discounts. 

To qualify for the OKReady Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) program, first, you need to own a single-family, primary residence in one of the covered zip codes — condos, duplexes, and mobile homes do not currently qualify. Next, your home must be considered in "good repair," meaning it is well maintained and the only damage is storm-related. You must also have a current homeowners insurance policy that covers wind damage, and, if you live in a flood hazard area, you will also need proof of flood insurance.   

To apply for the program, visit the SOH application page. You will need to provide your most recent tax return (the grant offers two tiers, one for incomes below $62,138 and one for those above), social security number, and proof of insurance. If you are approved, you will choose a pre-approved FORTIFIED evaluator to inspect your home and make sure it meets the "good repair" requirements — the cost of the evaluation is paid by the homeowner. 

You will then choose three contractors from the list provided and receive their bids based on the "Scope of Work" file uploaded by the evaluator. When hiring a contractor to complete your new roof, keep in mind that you are responsible for any amount owed above the $10,000 grant. Once construction is complete, your evaluator will submit the documentation to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) for review before you can receive your insurance discount.  

Besides lowering your homeowners insurance, your new roof will provide ample protection for your home, your belongings, and your family during a high wind or hail event. FORTIFIED roofs are available for any kind of roof, whether shingles, metal, or tile. The roofs are attached to your home with ring-shank nails in an enhanced pattern, providing better attachment during strong winds. 

If your roof covering is ripped off in a storm, the wood roof deck beneath is properly sealed to prevent leaks. A sealed roof deck is 95% less likely to allow water leakage. A FORTIFIED roof edge is also much stronger, complete with a powerfully adhered starter strip and a wider drip edge. To help prevent shingle damage in a hail storm, FORTIFIED shingles are impact-resistant. You will also receive wind and rain-resistant attic vents that will keep rain from flooding your home.  

If your roof is damaged in a storm and you don't live in an area covered by the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes grant, or live in a different state altogether, check with your homeowners insurance about replacing it with a FORTIFIED roof. You should receive some sort of discount on construction costs, insurance premiums, and/or future claims, especially if you live in an area that regularly experiences storms and high-wind events.