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National Disaster

Legal Aid

Texas Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey Recovery Information

The Disaster Legal Hotline is (800) 504-7030.

Hurricane Harvey struck Southeastern Texas starting on August 23, 2017 and many regions, including the city of Houston, continue to be impacted by severe flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on August 25th that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas, making federal funding available for emergency work and to individuals and businesses owners who sustain damage as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

For DR 4332, the August hurricane and flooding, Individual and Household Assistance is available to those in Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties. Only people in these counties can apply for FEMA benefits at this time.  Please watch for the addition of more counties.  

Note:  THE FEMA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2017.  THE SBA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS ALSO DECEMBER 12, 2017.  REMEMBER, YOU CAN APPLY UP TO 60 DAYS AFTER THAT WITH GOOD CAUSE. 

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation for 54 Texas counties.  This allows additional legal protections, such as triggering the anti price gouging laws.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Appeal Your FEMA Decision Letter  Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter
Transitional Sheltering Assistance program Extended to June 30, 2018 with check-out on July 1st

Disaster Relief Live Chat 

Texas LawHelp is providing a free live chat service only for Texas residents dealing with the effects of Hurricane Harvey. The Disaster Live Chat is online from Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. CST. When live chat is offline you may be able to get answers to your questions by going to TexasLegalAnswers.org.

Assistance with FEMA Appeals

Key resources for those impacted by the hurricane and flooding

Government Disaster Relief Benefits

  • Residents and businesses affected by the Harvey Hurricane and flooding can apply for government disaster relief benefits in several ways.  Individuals, including those who use 711 relay or VRS, can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those who use TTY can call 1-800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

  • Another option is to register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

  • SBA Disaster Loans are available for those who qualify.

  • Note: THE FEMA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 24, 2017.  Apply to FEMA to trigger the SBA Disaster loan process. THE SBA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS ALSO OCTOBER 24, 2017.

  • For official news and press releases related to Hurricane Harvey, please visit FEMA's News and Updates-Harvey page. 

Legal Assistance and Other Resources  

Other helpful resources to help address legal needs resulting from this disaster

  • Houston Bar Association

Contacts:

Tara Shockley, HBA communications director, taras@hba.org; 713-759-1133 office or 713-553-9164 cell
Alistair Dawson, HBA president, adawson@beckredden.com; 713-951-6225 office or 713-705-6850 cell
Benny Agosto, HVL chair, bagosto@abrahamwatkins.com; 281-389-6506 cell

Houston Bar to Offer Legal Assistance to those

Impacted By Hurricane Harvey

(Houston - August 30, 2017) The Houston Bar Association (HBA) is responding to the questions and legal needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey in a number of ways. For updated information on legal aid and other services, visit www.makejusticehappen.org/Harvey , call 713-228-0732 or 713-759-1133.?

"It is imperative that we join together to help those in need in our community," said Alistair B. Dawson, president of the Houston Bar Association. "The HBA and the Houston Volunteer Lawyers will join the legal community in assisting with disaster relief efforts for the public, as well as our members. Houstonians displaced by this horrific storm need our help and they need it now. We need volunteers to step up and help those in need."

Starting on Friday, September 1st, HVL will be working with Lone Star Legal Aid to staff booths at some of the shelters housing those who have been displaced as a result of the storm. There will be booths at the George R. Brown Convention Center initially, and then at the Toyota Center and NRG Stadium. Booths will be expanded to additional shelters next week. Lawyers at these locations will address legal questions for those who are housed at the shelter temporarily.

Beginning Tuesday, September 5 through Friday, September 29, the HBA's LegalLine will have volunteer attorneys answering calls from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended LegalLine hours will be available from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 20. The public can call 713-759-1133 and speak to volunteer attorneys who will answer their questions, provide brief legal advice and refer them to appropriate resources for help. The attorneys will be able to answer questions on insurance, landlord/issues, contracts, lost documents, FEMA matters and other disaster-related topics.

The HBA's Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) is working with other local and state legal services providers to coordinate legal aid for low-income individuals affected by the storm. HVL will set up legal advice clinics to meet the needs of the community in various locations across the city and also will visit area shelters to provide information about how to access legal services and to answer questions.

Are you a volunteer attorney able to help with response efforts?

General safety and shelter resources