Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants for Intended Purpose

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Officials urge Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew survivors to use their federal disaster aid for its intended purpose.  Improperly using the funds could be a violation of the declaration survivors sign to receive the grants and could result in future assistance being denied.

Once approved for disaster grants, Georgia survivors receive FEMA aid via check or an electronic direct deposit to their checking account. They receive a letter from FEMA providing information about the grant and how the money can be spent.

Before survivors receive their grants, they must sign a declaration and a release certifying that all funds will be spent on the expenses for which they are intended.

These grants are for repairs, temporary housing and other approved, essential disaster-related costs. Disaster recovery officials are available to help survivors understand the way grants should be spent after they receive the funds. Georgia survivors who have questions about their grants should call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Federal officials caution that the funds may be deposited into bank accounts before letters announcing the grants are delivered to survivors.

Housing funds may be used for:

  • Rental assistance. Applicants who have a continuing need for temporary rental assistance must turn in valid lease and utility receipts to receive additional assistance.

  • Reimbursement for lodging expenses directly related to the disaster.

  • Repairs to windows, doors, water and ventilation systems or other structural elements to return a home to a safe and functional condition.

  • Rebuilding a disaster-damaged home.

    Recipients of FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program grants may use the funds for:

  • Essential personal property, specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances and vehicle repair or replacement.

  • Disaster-related medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses.

    Applicants should be sure to update their personal information including addresses, phone numbers and bank accounts. If FEMA does not have the correct contact information, disaster survivors may miss letters or phone calls about their applications for assistance or payment status.

    FEMA grants cannot duplicate payments from other sources. For example, if a grant recipient receives an insurance settlement covering expenses already paid for by FEMA, those duplicated funds must be returned to FEMA.

    Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage or losses from Hurricane Matthew in Georgia must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

    Survivors are encouraged to keep their information updated by logging into their account:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
  • Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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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.

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Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants for Intended Purpose

Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants Wisely

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Once approved for disaster grants, Georgia survivors receive funds via check or a direct deposit to their checking account. They also receive a letter from FEMA providing information about the grant and how the money can be spent.

Disaster recovery officials urge recipients of federal grants to use the money wisely.

Before survivors receive their grants, they must sign a declaration and a release certifying that all funds will be spent on the expenses for which they are intended.

These grants are for repairs, temporary housing and other approved essential disaster-related costs. Georgia survivors who have questions about their grants should call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Housing funds may be used for:

  • Rental assistance. Applicants who have a continuing need for temporary rental assistance must turn in valid lease and utility receipts to receive additional assistance.

  • Reimbursement for lodging expenses directly related to the disaster.

  • Repairs to windows, doors, water and ventilation systems or other structural elements to return a home to a safe and functional condition.

  • Rebuilding a disaster-damaged home.

    Recipients of FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program grants may use the funds for:

  • Essential personal property, specialized tools for employment, household items, appliances and vehicle repair or replacement.

  • Disaster-related medical, dental, moving and child-care expenses.

    Applicants should be sure to update their personal information including addresses, phone numbers and bank accounts. If FEMA does not have the correct contact information, disaster survivors may miss letters or phone calls about their applications for assistance or payment status

    FEMA grants cannot duplicate payments from other sources. For example, if a grant recipient receives an insurance settlement covering expenses already paid for by FEMA, those duplicated funds must be returned to FEMA.

    Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage or losses from Hurricane Matthew in Georgia must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

    Survivors are encouraged to keep their information updated by logging into their account:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
  • Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Hurricane Matthew Survivors Encouraged to Use Disaster Grants Wisely

Manatee, Taylor and Wakulla Counties Designated for Individual Assistance

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Manatee, Taylor and Wakulla counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses resulting from Hurricane Hermine.

Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Leon, Levy, Pasco, and Pinellas counties are already designated for Individual Assistance.

Twenty-two Florida counties had earlier received a Public Assistance designation as a result of Hurricane Hermine. 

To be eligible for federal aid under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, storm damage and losses must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Hermine. 

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you preregistered with FEMA, you do not have to apply again. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or

  • On the FEMA Mobile App, or by

  • Calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

  • The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

  • Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help.

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Manatee, Taylor and Wakulla Counties Designated for Individual Assistance

SBA Disaster Loan Application Used to Check Eligibility for Other Grants

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Georgia disaster survivors who suffered damage or loss from Hurricane Matthew and were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration could lose some income-based FEMA grants if they don’t complete and submit SBA’s loan application.

FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance grants may cover uninsured losses for furniture, appliances and other essential personal property, even vehicles. Survivors will not be considered for this type of assistance unless they complete and return the SBA loan application. The information on the application is used to determine eligibility for income-based assistance.

Disaster survivors in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties are encouraged to register with FEMA and, if referred, complete and submit an SBA loan application, even if they don’t want a loan. The application is used to check eligibility for additional grants.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Survivors should start the loan process as soon as possible, and those who qualify for an SBA loan are under no obligation to accept it.  If approved and the loan is not accepted, the survivor may be ineligible for additional federal assistance.

Submit an SBA loan application even if you are waiting for an insurance settlement. Survivors do not have to wait for an insurance settlement. A survivor’s insurance policy may not cover all the replacement, repair and rebuilding costs. A disaster loan is available to cover the difference.

To repair or help rebuild a primary residence, a homeowner may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 from SBA to replace personal property.

Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans)

to small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.

Damage from Hurricane Matthew must have occurred Oct. 4-15. Survivors can register with

FEMA the following ways:

The filing deadline to return SBA loan applications for physical property damage is Dec. 16. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 17, 2017.

For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s disaster assistance customer service center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit sba.gov/disaster. TTY users can call 800-877-8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster survivors may also visit any disaster recovery center where SBA customer service representatives can answer questions, help complete loan applications and close loans. For the nearest location go to asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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SBA Disaster Loan Application Used to Check Eligibility for Other Grants

Disaster Survivors with Disabilities Get the Same Assistance as Everyone Else

ATLANTA – Georgia’s disaster survivors with disabilities may face challenges, but registering for federal assistance from Hurricane Matthew shouldn’t be one of them.

Storm survivors with disabilities can rest assured they will receive the same services and assistance offered to everyone in the declared disaster area. This is a FEMA commitment.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage or losses from Hurricane Matthew must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

FEMA’s disaster recovery centers are locations where survivors can meet face-to-face with various agencies and service providers. The centers are equipped with accessibility kits that offer accommodations to meet the needs of the entire community, including people with disabilities. Survivors may visit any open recovery center but they do not need to visit a center to register.

Survivors can register the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Download the FEMA mobile app.

  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In addition to accommodating survivors with disabilities, FEMA also reaches out to people with limited English proficiency by providing multilingual operators, making printed literature available in multiple languages and having translators available in the field. Information on the registration process is also available in American Sign Language at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations. For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s disaster assistance customer service center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit sba.gov/disaster. TTY users can call 800-877-8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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Disaster Survivors with Disabilities Get the Same Assistance as Everyone Else

FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Continue to Support Hurricane Hermine Survivors in Eight Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla – Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continue to support survivors in eight counties affected by Hurricane Hermine, even after Disaster Recovery Centers begin to close.

As the centers close this week, state and federal officials have made it a priority to reach all survivors who need help, including people with disabilities and/or access and functional needs, senior citizens and people with limited English proficiency.

The teams are continuing outreach to communities in Citrus, Dixie, Leon, Levy, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties with information on available assistance. They are there to answer questions and support survivors for on-the-spot registration.

The teams are expected to remain at or near the closing centers through close of business Saturday,   Oct. 29, but will have a presence in all of the eight counties until the registration deadline in late November.

Help is still available to survivors who may need to register or follow up on their applications in the following ways:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

  • Call the FEMA helpline at 800- 621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. If you use 711/Video Relay Services (VRS) call 800-621-3362. are 7 to 10 p.m. a until notice. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY call 800-462-7585.

  • Download the FEMA Mobile App ( https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app) and apply.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4280, twitter.com/FEMAregionIV, facebook.com/FEMA, and fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Continue to Support Hurricane Hermine Survivors in Eight Counties

Nassau and Seminole Counties Designated for Individual Assistance

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Nassau and Seminole counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses resulting from Hurricane Matthew.

Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties are already designated for Individual Assistance.

Nassau County had earlier received a designation for Public Assistance. 

To be eligible for federal aid under FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding beginning on October 3 must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Matthew. 

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you preregistered with FEMA, you do not have to apply again. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or

  • On the FEMA Mobile App, or by

  • Calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

  • The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

  • Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish).

Don’t be discouraged if you do not have access to telephone or internet service. Disaster survivor assistance specialists are helping people register for assistance in designated counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.

Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file their insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help.

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Nassau and Seminole Counties Designated for Individual Assistance

Applying for Individual Assistance in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Marion and Orangeburg counties must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be eligible for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damages and losses in South Carolina.

Disaster survivors may register in any of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;

  • On the FEMA Mobile App;

  • Calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA)

  • Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362

  • People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585;

  • The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week

  • Multilingual operators are available.

    Additionally, Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams will soon will be stationed in Marion and Orangeburg counties and visiting damaged neighborhoods to help people register.  Disaster Recovery Centers are planned to open in the near future in the declared counties.

Survivors should contact their insurance company to file an insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who are underinsured may be eligible for help.

The assistance process is faster if only one person per household registers with FEMA, preferably the head of the household. FEMA’s Individual Assistance program applies only to damage to the survivor’s primary residence. Damage to secondary homes is not eligible.

The following information is needed when registering with FEMA:

  • Social Security number;

  • Address of the location where the damage occurred;

  • Current address;

  • Current telephone number;

  • Insurance information;

  • Total household annual income;

  • Routing and account number for your checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into your bank account);

  • A description of disaster-caused damage and losses.

    Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or benefits from other agencies or organizations.

    Survivors who cannot afford to repay an SBA loan may be eligible for additional grant assistance. They will have to submit an SBA loan application before that can be determined.

After registering with FEMA, applicants will be contacted by a FEMA-contracted housing inspector to schedule an appointment to inspect the house and determine the extent of damage. An adult must be present for the inspection. When registering, applicants should provide a contact telephone number where they always can be reached or receive messages.

Homes that remain flooded cannot be inspected until the water recedes.

FEMA assistance is limited to the amount necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and secure for the number of occupants who live there. The cost of repairing additional spaces such as family rooms, dens or extra bedrooms is not considered. Repair cost estimates are based on standard material and construction costs.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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. Follow FEMA on twitter at @femaregion4. Download the FEMA app with tools and tips to keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained call specialist about questions you have regarding Hurricane Matthew; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. They can help direct you to resources. Call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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Applying for Individual Assistance in South Carolina

Survivors in Greene, Hartnett and Sampson Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance

RALEIGH, N.C. – Homeowners, renters and business owners in Greene, Harnett and Sampson counties may apply for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage and losses in North Carolina. 

The fourteen counties already eligible to apply for assistance under FEMA’s Individual and Households Program are Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke, Johnston, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Wayne and Wilson counties.

Storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred beginning October 4th.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA as soon as possible. If you have phone and/or internet access, you may register in one of the following ways:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

  • Download the FEMA Mobile App

  • Phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call

    800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY may call 800-462-7585.

  • The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

  • Multilingual operators are available.

For those who do not have access to telephone or internet service, don’t be discouraged. North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA are coming to you. Teams of State and FEMA survivor assistance specialists will be moving into affected communities soon to help people register for assistance. Additionally, disaster recovery centers are being planned and will open in the near future in affected counties.

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Survivors should also contact their insurance company to file an insurance claim. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.                                                                                                 

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 or TTY at 800-462-7585.

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.

The latest updates on road closures can be found at ReadyNC.org or by calling 5-1-1. Residents can also get real-time traffic and weather on the ReadyNC mobile app. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or text NCRecovers to 30306. Follow us on Facebook at NCEmergencyManagement and Twitter @NCEmergency  or @femaregion4.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800)877-8339.

 

 

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Survivors in Greene, Hartnett and Sampson Counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance

Free Legal Help Available to Low-Income Texans Affected by April Floods

AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster often invites chaos, which can result in disagreement: tenants and landlords bicker over re-entry to damaged apartments, homeowners and contractors argue over billing for unfinished or subpar repairs.

“These are just some of the difficulties that Texas survivors may be facing after the recent flooding that may require legal assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Hannes, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “For those who can’t afford it, help is available.”

The State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, FEMA and   other organizations have partnered to help provide assistance to affected individuals and families in the 12 counties designated by the April disaster: Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Parker, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton. The free service is offered to survivors who need legal assistance dealing with issues related to the storms and flooding and have no means to hire a lawyer.

A toll-free legal hotline (800-504-7030) is open to connect low-income individuals affected by the disaster with local legal aid providers who can help with: 

  • assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;

  • counseling on landlord-tenant problems;

  • assistance securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors;

  • help with home repair contracts and contractors;

  • replacement of wills and other important documents lost or destroyed in the disaster

  • consumer protection issues such as price gouging and avoiding contractor scams in rebuliding process and

  • counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems.

The hotline is available around the clock, seven days a week, and callers are also invited to leave a message. Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with Texas lawyers who have volunteered to provide free, limited legal help. Communications with an attorney are confidential.

Survivors should be aware that there are some limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where attorneys are paid part of the settlement by the court). Such cases are referred to a local lawyer referral service.

Other legal organizations assisting with disaster relief efforts include the Houston Bar Association (hba.org), Lone Star Legal Aid (lonestarlegal.org), the Texas Consumer Complaint Center at the University of Houston Law Center (texasccc.com, or 877-839-8422) and the American Red Cross (877-500-8645). National Disaster Legal Aid Online, or NDLA (available at: disasterlegalaid.org) is a collaborative effort of Lone Star Legal Aid, the American Bar Association (abanet.org/disaster), the Legal Services Corporation, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and Pro Bono Net.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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.

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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.

 

Original article – 

Free Legal Help Available to Low-Income Texans Affected by April Floods

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