Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs - Building Homes and Strengthening Communities
 

Disaster Relief Resources:
Individuals and Families Impacted

Please visit the resource page dedicated to your efforts, if you are a rental property owner or a member of a community agency or nonprofit organization.FEMA News Photo:Corpus Christi firefighter assists a resident with special needs into a bus.

 

Be Prepared

Make a plan and checklist. Build a survival kit. Know your evacuation route.

Texas Department of State Health Services
Visit the “Texas Prepares” Web site - http://www.texasprepares.org, and view real-life stories from disaster survivors http://www.texasprepares.org/survivingdisaster.htm.

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Consumer Protection

Report Consumer Fraud / Price Gouging in Disaster Relief

Attorney General of Texas (OAG)
http://www.oag.state.tx.us and https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/disaster.shtml
Toll free: 800-252-8011

Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General
Email: dhsoighotline@dhs.gov

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Education

K - 12

Texas Education Agency
School closings, enrollment information for displaced students
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/hurricane/

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Healthcare

Federal

US Department of Health and Human Services - Disasters & Emergencies
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/

Elderly, Disabled

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
Provides aging and disability services, support,and opportunities.
http://www.dads.state.tx.us/hurricane/index.cfm

Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
Assists people with disabilities and children who have developmental delays.
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/

Texas Health and Human Services
Provide the leadership and direction for the health and human services system for Texans. Parent organization to DADS, DARS, DFPS, and DSHS.
http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/
Toll free: 877-541-7905

Hotlines

  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program: 800-WIC-FORU (800-942-3678)
  • Disabled Veterans: 713-748-3404
  • Emergency Prescription Assistance Program: 866-935-4135
  • Food Stamps: 877-541-7905
  • Kidney Dialysis: 866-407-3773
  • Dial 2-1-1 for any other assistance

Mental Health, Substance Abuse

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Provides health, mental health and substance abuse services to Texans.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/hurricanes.shtm

Pharmacy

Texas State Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacies and pharmacists may obtain emergency prescription refills and establish a remote location to provide prescription dispensing services on an emergency basis.
http://www.tsbp.state.tx.us/hurricanemain.htm

Protective Services

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
Protects children, elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/

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Hotel, Lodging Resources

Register for FEMA assistance and possible Hotel Vouchers
http://www.fema.gov/

Texas Hotel and Lodging Association searchable statewide map for available accommodations.
http://www.texaslodging.com/

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Immediate Needs (Food, Clothing, and Shelter)

TDHCA-Funded Emergency Assistance

Find local emergency assistance provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ network of local organizations. Visit TDHCA’s “Help for Texans” page:

  1. Select the Emergency & Homeless Services button
  2. Enter the county in which you live
  3. Press the “Find Help” button

American Red Cross

You can visit a local office or call their toll-free number at 866-438-GET-INFO or 866-438-4636.

Dial 2-1-1

This three digit, easy-to-remember phone number provides access to quick information and referrals for affordable housing; child care; disaster relief; emergency food, such as food banks and soup kitchens, and more.
Dial 2-1-1 (this is a toll free number).

FEMA Assistance

Apply for assistance: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm
Toll free: 800-621-FEMA (3362)
Toll free TTY: 800-462-7585 (for people with speech or hearing disabilities)

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Jobs and Unemployment Information

Job Openings

FEMA is hiring temporary employees to assist Texans impacted by Hurricane Ike. Anyone interested in this Local Hire Program for FEMA DR-1791 should enter their resume into the database at www.workintexas.com. Resumes are NOT being accepted in person, at the door, or from friends and family, or by fax or mail. FEMA will not post ads in the newspapers.

Facing Unemployment

Texas Workforce Commission
Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance; Open Workforce Centers in Houston and Surrounding Areas; Temporarily Closed Workforce Centers in Hurricane Affected Areas.
Toll Free: 800-939-6631

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Missing Persons

Children

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Toll free: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
http://www.missingkids.com/

Medical Evacuations

Call toll free 888-777-5320 to locate a person with special medical needs who was evacuated because of Hurricane Ike.

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News and Condition Reports

Travel Updates - Texas Department of Transportation

News and updates on road conditions and closures.
http://www.txdot.gov/travel/hurricane.htm
Toll Free: 800-452-9292

Power Outage Updates by County

Public Utility Commission of Texas
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/files/ike.cfm

Mail Service

USPS Post Office and Mail Service Updates.
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.htm#ike

Offices of Emergency Management

Web pages with links to other local emergency management sites:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/linkspagetoo.htm#localgov

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Pets

Animal Rescue

Humane Society of the U.S.
http://www.hsus.org/

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
http://www.aspca.org/

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Property Damage

Has your home or apartment unit been damaged?

Register with FEMA. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or register online at: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm.

Homeowners with home insurance:

Contact your insurance agent immediately. If you need information, have a complaint, or can't locate your agent or company, call the toll-free Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line at 1-800-252-3439. The Consumer Help Line is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

FEMA Home repair assistance programs:

FEMA will determine whether you are eligible for help from the FEMA grant program, or if you will be referred to the Small Business Administration for low-interest home repair loan assistance. Keep your receipts and take pictures of damage before you make any repairs.

FEMA Programs include:

  • Up to $28,800 for home repair or replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.
  • Short-term rental assistance for either a hotel, apartment, or other shelter.
  • Initial rental assistance may be provided for up to 3 months for homeowners and at least 1 month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.

Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or register online at: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm
People with speech or hearing disabilities call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

FEMA home inspection process
http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/dis_assis_process.shtm

What Happens After the Inspection?
http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/afterinspect.shtm

Blue Roof Program

Homeowners may have plastic sheeting installed over a damaged roof area by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors.
Toll Free Hotline: 888-ROOF-BLU or 888-766-3258.

Tips for Repairing Your Home

Federal Trade Commission
Tips for consumers who may be facing major repairs after a disaster hits home.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt030.shtm

TDHCA-Funded Home Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance

Find local home rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ network of local organizations. Visit TDHCA’s “Help for Texans” page:

  1. Select the Home Repair button
  2. Enter the county in which you live
  3. Press the “Find Help” button

Health and Safety

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Sanitizing your home to prevent mold growth
- Carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical injuries
- Keeping water and food safe
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/recovery.asp

 

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Search for Affordable Apartments

TDHCA
List of affordable apartments searchable by City, County or Zip Code.
http://hrc-ic.tdhca.state.tx.us/hrc/VacancyClearinghouseSearch.m

The Texas Apartment Association
List of available resources to assist renters.
http://www.taa.org/renterinfo/disaster-preparedness/

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD-subsidized apartments.
http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/step2.cfm?state=TX%2CTexas

If you are seeking a HUD-subsidized apartment and have questions, please contact the public housing authority in your area.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/tx.cfm

FEMA Apartment Database
https://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm

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Taxes

Federal

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
http://www.irs.gov/

State

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Information about exemptions, waivers and extensions for sales, hotel, diesel, and IFTA taxes.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxes/

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Ways You Can Help

Donate your time, money, products, services or skills

FEMA recommended:
http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema/states.aspx?ST=Texas

Volunteer at your local Red Cross chapter.
http://www.redcross.org/donate/volunteer/

Salvation Army, Texas Division
http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/

United Way Volunteering
https://volunteer.united-e-way.org/

Feeding America
http://www.feedingamerica.org

Those wishing to be considered for contracting opportunities with FEMA and all other federal agencies must be registered through the federal Central Contractor Registration site at http://www.ccr.gov/. To view current contracting opportunities for which all federal agencies are accepting bids, visit the Federal Business Opportunities' "Opportunities" page at https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=list&tab=list.

FEMA Information for Contractors and Vendors
http://www.fema.gov/business/contractor.shtm

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