Hurricane Ike Financial Assistance

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- For those in need of financial assistance due to the devistation of Hurricane Ike we have compiled the following information.

Emergency Food Stamp Assistance
* Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another state: Call 1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 211 network to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits.

* Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another area of Texas: Call 211 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or other assistance.

Emergency Food Stamp Benefits
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sought and received a federal waiver to make the emergency assistance available to low-income individuals and families living in any of the 29 counties that have been declared disaster areas. Eligible Texans in disaster areas can receive up to two months of food stamp benefits by calling 2-1-1 or applying at any HHSC benefits office through Oct. 17. The person submitting the application needs to provide proof of identity and residence, such as a driver license. A family of four earning up to $2,915 this month may qualify for assistance. Applicants also will have to answer questions about their bank account balances and other assets. People who provide additional documentation may qualify for benefits for a longer period.

Disaster Unemployment Insurance
Because the President declared 29 counties a disaster area, displaced workers in those counties could be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. To claim this protection, a worker must file by October 15. Please bring this deadline to people’s attention. To file for disaster-related unemployment assistance, log on to texasworkforce.org or call TWC from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, at (800) 939-6631.

FEMA: Keep All Reciepts
FEMA will pay for the lodging directly to hotels and motels for eligible evacuees. A listing of participating hotels is available online at www.FEMAEvacHotels.com Assistance period is from Sept. 14, 2008. Applicants responsible for meals and lodging above authorized allowances. For non-participating hotels, hold your receipts and FEMA will assist. To ensure reimbursement, first apply for FEMA assistance through www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA. TTY is 1-800-462-7585

Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)

Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and dministered.)

Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)

Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)

Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact.

This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)

Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters. Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as FEMA info, Cont’d Required:

Applying for Assistance
Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses. Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies. FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Legal Assistance
Lone Star Legal Aid for free legal assistance to low income families, for more information please call 800-733-8394.