As of January 12, 2026, the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) has officially expanded the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program to all 77 counties. This landmark initiative allows every eligible homeowner in the state to access significant grants and long-term insurance savings by retrofitting their homes to the FORTIFIED Home™ standard.
At Zoellner Insurance, we are committed to helping you navigate these new regulations to ensure your property is protected and your premiums are as low as possible.
1. What is the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) Grant?
The SOH program, often referred to as the OK Ready grant, is a state-funded initiative designed to reduce the financial impact of severe weather.
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The Incentive: Eligible homeowners can receive a grant of up to $10,000 to modify their roof to meet FORTIFIED standards.
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The Payment: Unlike traditional rebates, this grant is paid directly to the certified contractor, minimizing the out-of-pocket burden on the homeowner.
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The Standard: The grant specifically funds upgrades to the IBHS FORTIFIED Home™ – Roof (High Wind & Hail Supplement) standard.
2. Technical Breakdown: Why a FORTIFIED Roof is Superior
A FORTIFIED roof is not just a “new roof.” It is a systems-based engineering standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to outperform standard building codes.
Key Engineering Requirements:
3. Mandatory Discounts on Homeowners Insurance in Oklahoma
One of the most compelling reasons to seek a FORTIFIED designation is the guaranteed financial return. Under 36 OK Stat § 961 and § 962, Oklahoma law requires “admitted” insurance carriers to provide premium discounts for certified FORTIFIED homes.
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The Savings: Homeowners frequently see a reduction of up to 42% on the wind and hail portion of their premium.
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Average ROI: Early pilot participants in Oklahoma reported an average annual savings of $750.
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Certification Life: A FORTIFIED designation is valid for five years, after which a re-designation inspection is required to maintain the insurance discount.
4. Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the $10,000 OK Ready grant, homeowners must meet the following criteria:
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Primary Residence: The home must be an owner-occupied, single-family residence (Condos, duplexes, and mobile homes are currently ineligible).
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Good Repair: The home must be in good condition. If the roof has active leaks or existing damage, it may fail the initial evaluation.
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Homestead Exemption: You must have a current homestead exemption on file with your county assessor.
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Insurance Status: You must have an active homeowners policy that includes wind coverage. If you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, you must also provide proof of flood insurance.
5. The 5-Step Application Process
The OID follows a strict workflow to ensure quality control and proper fund allocation:
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Apply Online: Create a profile at oid.ok.gov/okready. You will need your most recent Tax Return (Form 1040) to verify income.
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Professional Evaluation: Hire a Certified FORTIFIED™ Evaluator (homeowners pay this fee out-of-pocket). The evaluator performs the “before” inspection.
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Get Three Bids: You must obtain bids from three OID-approved certified contractors.
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Grant Approval: Once the OID reviews the bids, you will receive a grant award letter. Do not start work before receiving this letter.
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Construction & Certification: The contractor completes the work, the evaluator performs the final inspection, and IBHS issues the official certificate.
How Zoellner Insurance Can Help
Securing the grant is only half the battle. To realize your savings, you must submit your IBHS certificate to your insurance carrier.
As experts in homeowners insurance in Oklahoma, Zoellner Insurance can help you verify if your current carrier is an “admitted” company required to give the discount, or we can shop the market to find a carrier that offers the most aggressive rate for your newly fortified home.
