I Need to Know What Emergency Funds Are Available to Me

After Hurricane Ike’s devastation across Texas and other parts of the Gulf Coast many people are getting ready to return home. Although evacuees are eager to return to normal their big concern is whether or not they will be able to get emergency assistance to help rebuild their lives.

The good news is that a majority of evacuees will qualify for federal emergency funds through FEMA, in addition to assistance from several non-profit organizations. FEMA provides financial assistance while many of the non-profits supply actual items such as clothes, diapers, household goods etc.

Two important things you will need to do to get emergency assistance:

  1. Contact your insurance company and make a claim for property damages/loss. Learn more about insurance here.
  2. Register with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). If you were a victim of Gustav you will need to register separately for Ike.

The general requirements for emergency assistance are:

  1. Your home was affected by the hurricane, in one of the thirteen counties declared a disaster area:
  • Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington.
  1. You have explored all of your insurance possibilities.
  2. You have lost your job due to the hurricane (injury, job location closed)
  3. You are or recently became the sole provider for the household due to death or injury.

Who to contact for emergency funds:

Austin local: (512) 340-4300         Houston local: (281) 983-1100
Dallas local: (972) 339-6200         McAllen local: (956) 984-4700
El Paso local: (915) 832-6400       San Antonio local: (210) 258-6600
Fort Worth local: (817) 420-1600   Others call toll free: (800) 939-6631

To receive funds you will need the following documentation:

  •     Social Security number
  •     Current and pre-disaster address.
  •     A telephone number where you can be contacted.
  •     Any and all insurance information.
  •     Total household annual income
  •     A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster

Documentation to confirm employment before the disaster:

  •     A copy of most recent federal income tax forms
  •     Check Stub

For direct deposits:

  •    Account number
  •    Voided check and routing number (2nd set of numbers on the bottom of your check)

Learn more about financial assistance here and getting disaster aid here.

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