Disaster Assistance

Important Information

Apply by Phone

1.800.621. FEMA (3362)
TTY: 1.800.462.7585
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

People who suffered losses because of the Hurricane should register for disaster assistance by calling toll free 800.621.FEMA. People who are speech or hearing impaired should call TTY 1-800.462.7585. Phone lines are currently open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Please have the following information on hand:

• Social Security Number
• Phone number where you can be reached
• Address of damaged Property
• Brief description of disaster related losses
• Insurance information
• Bank account number/routing number

Disaster assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance of other sources.

Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also are available for residential and business losses not cover by insurance.

Apply Online

www.fema.gov

Important Contacts

FEMA
1-800.621. FEMA (3362)
1-800.462.7585 (TTY)

American Red Cross
1-866-GET-INFO

American Red Cross Financial Assistance
1-800-975-7585

Lost Children
1-713-986-3300

American Red Cross Find Loved Ones
877-LOVED-1S
568-3317
www.familylinks.icrc.org

Find Family National Call Center
1-866-326-9393

First Call for Help
211

Social Security
1-800-772-1213
1-800-325-0778(TTY)

U. S. Postal Services
1-800-275-8777

Salvation Army
1-800-725-2769

Government Benefits
Special "evacuee" status has been granted to individuals affected by the hurricane, which will simplify the enrollment process for people who need the services of programs like Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Head Start.

Evacuees with access to the Internet can enroll at www.govbenefits.gov.

Disaster Assistance Insurance Tips

Insured Texans affected by the Hurricane should contact their insurance company or agent to file a claim.

Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line
1-800-252-3439

Texas Dept. of Insurance Consumer Hot Line
1-800-252-4292

Texas Dept. of Insurance (insurance questions)
1-800-252-3439

Displaced residents living in shelters, or with host families or relatives outside of Texas , should still call their insurance agent to start the claims process.

For more information about flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), contact your insurance company or agent, or call NFIP at 888-CALL-FLOOD (TTY 800-427-5593).

SBA Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) serves as the federal government's primary resource for long-term disaster recovery financing.

Homeowners and renters can use their SBA disaster loans to repair or replace uninsured or underinsured disaster-damaged property.

Businesses of all sizes may be eligible for disaster loans to repair or replace machinery, equipment, fixtures and inventory not covered by insurance Eligible small businesses also may apply for working capital funds to help cover necessary and ongoing expenses during the disaster recovery period. For information, call SBA Customer Service at 800-659-2955.

Farmer/Ranchers Needing Assistance

Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Web site at www.usda.gov.

For information, you may want to contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) near your home because you may be eligible for emergency loans, or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pas.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance
1-956-984-4700 (Texas Workforce Commission)
1-800-939-6631 (Texas Workforce Commission)
1-800-695-6879 (Employer)

Fraud Warning

As floodwaters recede, opportunities for scam artists will rise. FEMA urges everyone affected by the Hurricane to be cautious when dealing with anyone asking for work, information or money.

Remember that FEMA disaster inspectors and recovery personnel never charge for services. Make sure you see photo identification before trusting anyone representing themselves as government or law enforcement official.

Anyone who believes a fraudulent, would-be inspector has approached them should report the incident to the Department of Homeland Security's Fraud Hotline at 800-323-8603. People who line in Texas may also contact the Attorney General's office: 800-337-3928; www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer.

Medical:

Prescriptions, Transportation

Texas Dept. of Health and Human Services allows pharmacists to fill prescriptions in and emergency. Pharmacists also have information on filling prescriptions for Louisiana Medicaid participants. Texas Dept. of Transportation (TX Dot) will provide medical transportation services, including medical and dialysis appointments. Call 877-633-8747.

Save These Important Numbers

Aging Services
1-800-252-9240 (TX Dept. of Aging & Disability Services Referral Info Aging Services)
1-800-252-2412 (TX Dept. of Aging & Disability Services, concerns/complaints)

Agriculture Aid
1-202-720-7998 (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
1-979-680-5151
Or 5210 (Farm Service Agency (FSA))

Air Quality
1-800-438-4318 (English Indoor air quality)
1-800-725-8312 (Spanish Animal Health)
1-800-658-6570 (TX Animal Health commission)

Consumer Services
1-800-337-3928 (Attorney General's Office)
1-800-843-5789 (Gov. Office-Directory of sate agencies )

Contractors
1-800-252-8026 (TX Department of Licensing and Regulations,Contractor License Board)

Crisis Counseling
2-1-1 (Tropical Texas Behavioral Health)

Texas Dept. Criminal Justice
1-866-680-6667 (Evacuees displaced by either hurricane Under mandatory parole check-in)

Environment
1-800-424-9346 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Governor's Office

Economic Dev
1-512-463-0101 (For business information)

Health
1-800-252-9152 (Immunization shot line)

Human Services
1-800-582-5233 (Dept. of Health & Human Services & Human Services)

Disaster Assistance
1-888-834-7406 (Dept. HS Info and referral)

Food Stamps
1-800-248-1078 (Automated Benefit Hotline)

Fraud 1-800-323-8603 (FEMA Fraud)

Fraud 1-800-337-3928 (Texas Attorney General)

Insurance Info
1-800-638-6620 (National Flood Insurance)
1-800-427-4661 (NFIP, customer services)
1-800-578-4677 (State Insurance Commissioner)
1-800-252-3439 (Insurance Info 8-7 daily)

Lamar University
1-512-471-1555 (Up-to-date information about the campus)

Legal Services
1-800-504-7030(Young Lawyers Div. of the Bar Assoc.)
1-800-252-9690 (Lawyer Referral)
1-877-983-9227
1-877-9-TEX-BAR (State Bar of Texas)
1-866-757-1570 (Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid)

Mental Health Hotline
1-866-773-4243 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Salvation Army
Call 2-1-1

SBA Customer Service
1-800-659-2955 (For informational about SBA disaster loans)

Social Security
1-800-772-1213 (U.S. Social Security Admin.)
1-800-325-0778 TTY (U.S. Social Security Admin.)

TX DOT
1-800-452-9292 (Travel Information)

Tax Assistance
1-800-829-1040 (U.S. Internal Revenue)
1-800-829-4059 (TTY.U.S. Internal Revenue)
1-800-252-5555 (State Comptroller of Public Accounts - State Tax Assistance)

TX Dept. of State

Health Services
1-877-623-6274 (To locate displaced hospital and nursing Home patients)
1-512-532-4490 (For assistance for special needs patients)

Veterans Affairs
1-800-827-1000 (U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
1-800-829-4833 (TTY.U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs)

WIC
1-800-942-3678 (TX Dept. of State Health Services)

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