Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right to Appeal

AUSTIN, Texas – Not every Texan who registered for federal disaster assistance following the April storms and flooding will qualify for aid. However, an appeal process can ensure those affected by the storms will receive all aid for which they are legally eligible.

People who live or work in the following 12 counties may be eligible for assistance for the April 17-24 storms: Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton.

Applicants from those counties have 60 days from the date on FEMA’s determination letter to file their appeal. The FEMA letter describes the amount and type of assistance being offered.

Applicants who are dissatisfied with FEMA’s decision may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585 for information on how to file an appeal. Specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Additional information is available on pages 9-10 of the FEMA booklet, “Help after a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program.” This free booklet is available in multilingual formats as a PDF to download at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

To appeal FEMA’s decision, write a letter explaining why the amount or type of assistance authorized is not correct. The letter should also include:

• applicant’s full name

• last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number

• applicant’s FEMA registration number

• the disaster number (DR-4269-TX)

• address of the damaged property

• current contact information

• signature of the applicant

Sign, date and mail the letter to:

FEMA
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Letters may also be faxed to 800-827-8112 with a cover sheet marked: Attention – FEMA.

Texans can register the following ways:

• online at DisasterAssistance.gov

• phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.