Additional Assistance Is Available For Texans Impacted By Hurricane Rita
Release Date: October 18, 2005
Release Number: 1606-038
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- Besides grants and loans, Texans affected by Hurricane Rita also may be eligible for other types of disaster assistance, including: DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE, and CRISIS COUNSELING.
The 22 counties designated for assistance are: Angelina, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend , Galveston , Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty , Montgomery , Nacogdoches , Newton , Orange , Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby , Trinity, Tyler and Walker .
To apply for disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals may log onto www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech or hearing impairment can call a special number TTY 1-800-462-7585 . Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Texans who worked in the affected counties and are unemployed as a result of Hurricane Rita may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits. The DUA program, funded by FEMA and administered by the State of Texas , further extends coverage to self-employed people, farm workers and others who are usually ineligible for Texas Workforce Commission unemployment benefits.
To apply for DUA benefits, individuals must first file for Unemployment Insurance by calling the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Tele-Center network at 1-800-939-6631 or applying online at www.texasworkforce.org . Telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) users can communicate with TWC offices by using Relay Texas at 1-800-735-2989 . Workers have until Nov. 30, 2005 to apply for DUA under Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1606-DR.
Individuals may be eligible for DUA benefits, if they:
- Have worked or been scheduled to work in the disaster area, but because of the disaster no longer have a job, a place to work in the area or could not get to the place of work because of disaster damage.
- Have been prevented from working by a disaster-related injury or illness.
- Have become the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.
- Were self-employed and lost all or part of their livelihood as a result of the disaster.
Job seekers may visit Texas Workforce centers for access to job-search resources, job postings, training programs and other employment support services. Individuals may connect with potential employers through the TWC online job-search engine, www.WorkInTexas.com . Individuals also may call the U.S Department of Labor Hurricane Recovery Job Connection at 1-877-872-5627 or online at www.dol.gov .
Evacuees, who lost their jobs and left home because of Hurricane Katrina or Rita, may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation where they currently live. Unemployed evacuees should register for assistance by calling the following toll-free numbers: for displaced Alabama workers: 1-866-234-5382 ; for displaced Louisiana workers: 1-800-430-8076 ; for displaced Mississippi workers: 1-888-844-3577 .
LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE
Texas lawyers are continuing to offer free and low-cost help and advice to victims of Hurricane Rita seeking to solve legal problems resulting from the impact of the storms. Volunteer lawyers are providing advice on subjects including lost legal documents, insurance claims, property, landlord/tenant issues, employment, financial issues, FEMA assistance and more. Individuals with disaster-related legal questions can access free advice by phone, online or in person at limited locations. Low-income people may qualify for free legal services.
Statewide legal assistance resources
- FEMA Legal Disaster Hotline operated by the State Bar of Texas at 1-800-504-7030 (toll free) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m. A voice mail system is available to receive messages 24 hours every day. Information is available in English and Spanish.
- Online: www.texasbar.com .
- Texas Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-252-9690 or 1-877-983-9227 (toll free) Monday -- Friday, 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m. Callers receive assistance in finding an attorney based on individual legal needs. Attorneys have agreed to the maximum fee of $20 for a 30-minute initial consultation.
- State Bar Grievance Hotline at 1-800-932-1900 (toll free). Callers may express concerns about legal representation or solicitation by Texas attorneys.
Houston area assistance resources
- Houston Bar Association (HBA), through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVLP) Call 1-713-228-0735 , Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Online: www.hvlp.org .
- In person: HVLP legal advice booth in the Disaster Recovery Center , located at 6059 South Loop East in Houston .
CRISIS COUNSELING
Crisis counseling services and mental health assistance are available for hurricane victims in Texas through the Crisis Counseling Hotline at 1-866-773-4243 (toll free) . The hotline is operated by Alliance Work Partners, with funding by a grant from FEMA and administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Office of Disaster Mental Health Services (DMHS).
While some counseling support will be offered over the phone, the hotline will refer the caller to a local provider for home visits or face-to-face meetings at various locations. Crisis counselors are present, or may be reached at many of the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers. In addition, individuals with questions about personal or family reactions to the disaster including depression, anxiety, stress or other problems, may contact the local county mental health office.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 19-Oct-2005 07:20:06