While it has been more than 100 days since Hurricane Harvey made landfall, and the disaster assistance registration deadline has passed, there is still a lot of work to be done. Harvey survivors are part of the whole community effort. The steps they take on their road to recovery and the decisions they make about what they want their recovery to look like are very important.
Survivors Can:
Stay in Touch with FEMA — If you registered for disaster assistance following Hurricane Harvey, stay in touch with FEMA. The easiest way to update your application, check your status or provide missing information is to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 (voice, 711 or VRS, TTY (800) 462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Call 2-1-1 for Unmet Needs — 2-1-1 Texas is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community including help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment.
Contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — HUD offers programs to assist both homeowners and renters. For more information, you can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or contact the Federal Housing Authority Resource Center at (800) 225-5342.
Monitor Your National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Claim — Hurricane Harvey survivors who would like to monitor their flood insurance claim may follow up with their insurance company. If you’re unsatisfied with the insurance decision you receive, visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-claim-appeals-and-guidance to see what further actions you can take.
Contact the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) — TDI regulates the Texas insurance industry and acts as a resource for insurance-related questions, concerns, and complaints. Find out more about what TDI can do for you at https://www.tdi.texas.gov/index.html or call (800) 252-3439.
Follow Up on Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loans —
If you applied for an SBA loan after Hurricane Harvey, and you want to follow up or have any questions about your loan, contact the SBA by calling (800) 659-2955, visiting www.sba.gov/disaster , or visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center.
Request Continued Rental Assistance — Hurricane Harvey survivors who have received temporary housing assistance from FEMA, yet still have a continuing need for that assistance, can receive up to 18 months of Continued Rental Assistance, plus the security deposit, allowing for time to make progress toward finding long-term solutions. You may use rental assistance to rent a house, apartment, manufactured home, another dwelling, travel trailer or recreational vehicle. For more information about requesting Continued Rental Assistance visit https://go.usa.gov/xnUwh, or call (800) 621-3362 with questions.
Appeal a Disaster Assistance Determination Letter — If you are found to be ineligible for disaster assistance following Hurricane Harvey, or you feel the award amount is insufficient, you have the right to an appeal. Carefully read your determination letter to understand why the decision was made and how you can receive the assistance you need. For more information, you may contact the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-3362 or (800) 462-7585 (TTY).
Stay Alert Concerning Your Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) — FEMA provides TSA to eligible disaster survivors who have a continuing need for short-term accommodation after temporary shelters have closed and they are still unable to return to their homes. You can find participating TSA hotels by going to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Hotel Locator. If your housing has changed or you need to update your information, stay in touch with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362
Create a Permanent Housing Plan — With proper planning and the right help, survivors can create a permanent housing plan that will put them on the path to recovery. If you don’t know where to go for help or how to find the resources you need, answers and assistance are available through the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-3362 (voice, 711 or VRS) or (800) 462-7585 (TTY) 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.
Recovery Staff Are Available:
At Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) or Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOCs) — DRCs are one-stop shops for survivors seeking one-on-one help. To find the nearest DRC, go to fema.gov/DRC. Also, you can text DRC and a zip code to 43362(4FEMA) to locate a center in your area. Standard message and data rates apply. For assistance with US Small Business Administration disaster loans, visit a DLOC at https://go.usa.gov/xnUZN or call (800) 659‐2955.
Help Is Available For:
Disaster Legal Services — Legal services are still available for low-income survivors of Hurricane Harvey. Attorneys may be able to assist you with eviction notices, insurance issues and other problems you may face at this moment or in the upcoming months. Call the Disaster Hotline at (800) 504-7030 for assistance.
Disaster Distress Support — Survivors can call and speak to a trained professional who can help them cope with anxiety or stress, and guide them to available resources. This multilingual, confidential crisis support service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 985-5990, (800) 846-8517 (TTY) or text TalkWithUs (Spanish-speakers text: Hablanos) to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Hazard Mitigation Information — FEMA mitigation specialists are visiting hardware and home improvement stores to provide free information and tips on repairing and rebuilding stronger and safer. For more information and resources on mitigation issues, you can visit the FEMA mitigation website at fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation.
Mortgage Relief — Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers mortgage relief options to Hurricane Harvey survivors in Texas. If you have an FHA loan and are struggling to make payments, are in danger of foreclosure or have questions about your loan, visit the FHA Resource Center at: https://www.hud.gov/complaints/customer_service or call (800) 225-5342.
Disaster Case Management — Immediate case management is available for Hurricane Harvey survivors with disaster-related unmet needs. Case management professionals give you one point of contact to connect you with many resources. Call (855) 742-5989, follow the instructions, and a case manager will respond within 24 hours.