Winter is coming. That’s not just a quote for all of the “Game of Thrones” fans out there, it’s also an important warning for Texans.Winter is coming. That’s not just a quote for all of the Game of Thrones fans out there, it’s also an important warning for Texans.
In February 2021, an extreme winter storm wreaked havoc across the state of Texas, causing widespread power outages and hardship for homeowners in the Lone Star State. This disaster came to be known as Winter Storm Uri, and it was extremely damaging to Texans and the state of Texas.
The unfortunate reality is that extreme winter weather could once again lead to a major disaster this winter. And while we can’t do much to stop Texas’ severe winter storms, we can prepare ourselves for disaster recovery by learning about the different types of Texas aid for winter storms.
We’ll answer all of your questions about Texas aid for winter storms: what legal help and financial assistance is out there, what nonprofit organizations could provide disaster relief and even legal aid, and how to file insurance claims or apply for disaster loans.
What Organizations Provide Texas Aid for Winter Storms?
Let’s start with the basics: Who should you turn to if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing disaster relief in the wake of a Texas severe winter storm?
The good news is that there are a number of places that business owners, renters, and homeowners can turn to for individual assistance in the wake of an extreme winter storm. Let’s look at the different options out there for disaster assistance:
Insurance Companies
The first organization you should contact if you’ve experienced damage to your home or business is your insurance company. Before the winter season, it’s worth making sure that you have the contact information for your insurance company handy — this should include a toll-free helpline in addition to a website in case you experience a power outage and are unable to access the internet.
It’s common, too, for insurance companies to set up toll-free hotlines in the wake of disasters like winter storms for customers to file insurance claims for home repairs.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The second organization you should contact to secure Texas aid for winter storms is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, most commonly referred to as FEMA.
FEMA exists to help Americans in situations just like this. It was formed in 1979 to help coordinate the federal government’s response to disasters, including the deployment of public assistance and disaster relief for affected homeowners, renters, and business owners.
FEMA can’t step in to help without a disaster declaration. This means that the Texas state governor will need to formally declare a disaster in the wake of a severe winter storm, and the president of the United States will then have to sign off on disaster relief before FEMA can jump into action.
In addition to providing disaster relief, FEMA can give Texans disaster assistance at its mobile Disaster Recovery Centers. These centers are a tremendous resource to help provide Texas aid for winter storms while answering any questions Texans might have — all in person, which can be a great help during a time of turmoil.
Nonprofit Organizations
Insurance companies and FEMA aren’t the only sources of disaster relief out there. There are a variety of private nonprofit organizations which can mobilize Texas aid for winter storms.
In addition to providing a variety of informational resources on how to stay safe and respond to Texas severe winter storms, the Red Cross can help coordinate disaster relief. The Red Cross also operates shelters across a variety of Texas counties that can provide immediate safety in the aftermath of a Texas winter storm.
Another private nonprofit organization worth keeping in mind in the wake of a Texas winter storm is Crisis Cleanup. Crisis Cleanup coordinates relief organizations that can provide assistance in removing smaller downed trees, setting up tarps if parts of your home are exposed to the elements, and bringing debris created by the Texas winter storm out to the curb for removal.
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Legal Assistance Organizations
Legal assistance is another important form of Texas aid for winter storms. In the wake of the February 2021 Texas winter storm, the State Bar of Texas helped set up a toll-free legal aid hotline for low-income Texans needing legal assistance.
If another Texas severe winter storm should occur, it’s possible that the State Bar of Texas will set up a similar hotline (or even use the same one: 800-504-7030).
Other sources of legal Texas aid for winter storms include:
- The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Disaster Legal Services hotline: 888-743-5749
- Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas: 800-955-3959
- Lone Star Legal Aid: 800-733-8394
- Texas Disaster Legal Help
- Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: 956-447-4800
How Do I Apply for FEMA Assistance?
If you have access to the internet (which we realize is not a given in the wake of a natural disaster), then the best way to apply for FEMA assistance is to visit the website disasterassistance.gov.
This website allows Texans to first submit their home or business address to see if they qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If you find you qualify for FEMA disaster relief, you can then submit an application on the disasterassistance.gov site.
If you’re experiencing a power outage and are unable to access the internet, you have two other options available for applying for FEMA assistance. First, you can dial the toll-free FEMA hotline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Alternatively, you can visit one of FEMA’s mobile Disaster Recovery Centers to apply for disaster relief in person if one has been set up in your area.
How Do I Apply for the Texas Disaster Relief Fund?
In addition to insurance companies and FEMA, Texans can seek disaster assistance from the state government. The Texas Disaster Relief Fund can help provide disaster relief for affected Texans.
The Texas Disaster Relief Fund only becomes operational in the wake of a Texas disaster. For obvious reasons, you won’t be able to apply for the Texas Disaster Relief Fund if there’s no disaster to find relief from.
If, however, Texas has the misfortune to experience another severe winter storm, then Texans might be able to once again seek assistance from the Texas Disaster Relief Fund. In anticipation of this, you can bookmark the Texas Disaster Relief Fund’s website and jot down their phone number (877-452-9060) while you’re at it.
Is FEMA Giving Money for a Texas Winter Storm?
The best way to learn whether FEMA is giving money for a Texas severe winter storm is to visit the FEMA website at disasterassistance.gov or call the toll-free FEMA hotline at 800-621-FEMA.
Who Is Eligible for FEMA Assistance in Texas?
In order to be eligible for individual assistance from FEMA in Texas, three things must occur: first, the Texas governor will need to declare a state of emergency; second, the U.S. president will need to sign off on this disaster declaration; and third, the Texas county in which you live or work will need to be named by the disaster declaration.
How Will FEMA Help Texans Affected by Winter Storms?
FEMA assistance will vary from Texan to Texan, depending on the individual assistance needs and the application submitted. Following the submission of an application, Texans will receive a call from a FEMA inspector to determine the extent of damage caused by the Texas severe winter storm.
Following this phone inspection, Texans may receive federal assistance from FEMA in the form of a check or direct deposit. FEMA may also refer qualifying Texans to a low-interest disaster loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Be Ready for the Next Texas Winter Storm
For many Texans, Winter Storm Uri was a wake-up call. It showed just how damaging a Texas severe winter storm can be, and for many Texans, it was a first-time experience with navigating the realm of disaster assistance.
The good news for Texans is that there are a variety of resources for Texas aid for winter storms. (You can also look into assistance for weatherizing your home to manage the costs of heating.) The bad news is that during the immediate aftermath of one of these devastating winter storms, life is chaotic, and it can be difficult to find and apply for individual assistance.
This is why it’s important to plan for events like Texas’s severe winter storms ahead of time. As part of that planning, you can begin to familiarize yourself with the different forms of Texas aid for winter storms.
So make sure you have this guide bookmarked, just in case you need to consult it in the wake of another Texas winter storm. Better yet, bookmark the various sources of financial assistance — the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, FEMA assistance, your insurance company’s website, and the various forms of legal assistance referenced above.
It’s also a good idea to write down the phone numbers of the different organizations mentioned in this Texas aid for winter storms guide, just in case a power outage prevents you from accessing the internet when you need it.
If you’re experiencing a Texas winter storm and you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s OK. Natural disasters are chaotic and overwhelming by nature. Fortunately, Texas communities have shown how good they are at rallying around one another, and there are resources available to help you through this difficult time.
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