National Disaster
Legal Aid
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Texas Hurricane Harvey
Texas Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey Recovery Information
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, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, 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 OCTOBER 24, 2017. Apply to FEMA to trigger the SBA Disaster loan process. THE SBA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS ALSO OCTOBER 24, 2017.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation for 54 Texas counties. This allows additional legal protections, such as triggering the anti price gouging laws.
Key resources for those impacted by the hurricane and flooding
Government Disaster Relief Benefits
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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.
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Another option is to register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.
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SBA Disaster Loans are available for those who qualify.
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Note: THE FEMA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 25, 2017. Apply to FEMA to trigger the SBA Disaster loan process. THE SBA APPLICATION DEADLINE IS ALSO OCTOBER 25, 2017.
Legal Assistance and Other Resources
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Free legal assistance is available to storm survivors through the Disaster Relief Hotline in English, Spanish and Vietnamese: (800) 504-7030.
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This assistance is available to storm survivors through a partnership between the State Bar of Texas and their Young Lawyers Section, the ABA-Young Lawyers Division and FEMA. Please see the press release for more information.
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Information to assist disaster survivors with general legal issues can also be found by contacting Lone Star Legal Aid, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid or Legal Aid of North West Texas.
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Please note: Due to events beyond Lone Star Legal Aid's control, phones and emails are currently out for all its offices. Lone Star Legal Aid's Angleton/Clute, Beaumont, Bryan, Conroe, Houston, Galveston, and Nacogdoches offices remain closed. We will update this page as soon as any of these offices are open or Lone Star's systems are back online.
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The Texas Legal Services Center's intake application is available online or by calling 1-800-622-2520.
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Additional legal resources are available at texasbar.com/disasters, texaslegalanswers.org, and texaslawhelp.org.
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Students have rights after Harvey under the McKinney- Vento Act to attend their home school, or the school closest to where they have moved. Also, see the Homeless Education Manual, with an update post Harvey.
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Information from the nonprofit United Policyholders about Insurance Claims and recovery.
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Disaster Unemployment Benefits are available, even for self employed individuals.
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Tax Relief for Survivors of Hurricane Harvey in Texas This means, that for impacted people and businesses, many deadlines were extended to January 15, 2018. Also, people now have the option of amending last years tax return with this years loses, to get money in hand to recover NOW.
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Disaster Snap rules are allowing for the purchase of hot meals with SNAP benefits now, and food lost in the disaster can be replaced. File your request for replacement within ten days of the loss. Use Form H 1855.
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Harvey Flood Insurance Bulletins. Look here to keep abreast of changes to the NFIP for Harvey, like extensions of the deadline for filing FEMA Proof of Loss, that the advance payments pre inspection can now be up to 20K, and more.
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Special information from the VA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other lenders on mortgage and foreclosure issues for individuals impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Forbearances and a foreclosure moratorium may apply to you. Please contact your loan servicer or a lawyer as soon as possible to learn more.
Other helpful resources to help address legal needs resulting from this disaster
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If you need to appeal a FEMA denial on your own, please see here to get an interactive form to appeal and letter requesting a copy of your file. Free legal help is available at 800-504-7030.
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You can also find resources on this site under For People Who Need Help.
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Stay up-to-date with the latest on the News page.
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Help After a Disaster: FEMA's Guide for the Individual Applicants
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You might get a call about applying for an SBA loan. Listen!
- 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
"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?
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The State Bar of Texas helps to connect volunteers to disaster-related service opportunities. Sign up online via the State Bar of Texas's website today.
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Mo' Disasters, Mo' Problems, Providing Legal Assistance in the Aftermath of a Disaster [PPT]. Presentation at the 2017 State Bar of Texas PLC.
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The Volunteer Attorney Guide to FEMA [PDF]: Download this guide which has information about what type of assistance is available, who is eligible, the process for obtaining assistance, and frequently asked questions.
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Resource Materials for Responding to Legal Questions from those Affected by Disasters [PDF]: This manual was prepared to better orient volunteer lawyers regarding the provision of pro bono legal services to victims of natural disasters.
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State Bar of Texas Disaster Relief Resources. Various resources from the barf for addressing disasters as a firm owner, or a pro bono attorney responding to the need.