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Disaster Manual: Section 19 - Disaster Resource and Referral Guide

Disaster Relief

Address legal problems resulting from a disaster

This is the nineteenth section of the Disaster Manual. This section contains information on resources available to help disaster victims. This resource is meant for volunteer lawyers.This resource was written by Lone Star Legal Aid. 

Private community organizations or one or more local, state, or federal agencies can provide disaster assistance when a referral to an attorney is not the best course of action. In addition to providing emergency information, this guide lists resources, community service organizations, and government agencies with offices located in the areas where the people are being temporarily housed. It also includes the toll-free numbers for many state and federal agencies.

Download Resource & Referral Guide

Disaster Manual Table of Contents

Click each title to go to that section of the manual. - Index Page

  1. Introduction
  2. FEMA Assistance
  3. Falling Trees, Flying Limbs & Loud Neighbors
  4. Landlord/Tenant Issues
  5. Real and Personal Property
  6. Employer/Employee Issues
  7. Social Security, Banking, and Financial Issues
  8. Consumer Protection Issues
  9. Insurance Issues
  10. Health Care Issues
  11. Personal Bankruptcy Issues
  12. Replacing Lost Documents
  13. Family Law Issues
  14. Education
  15. Immigration Issues
  16. Community Organizations/Small Businesses
  17. Wills and Estates Planning
  18. Disability Rights in Disasters
  19. Resource & Referral Guide

 

19.1 General Assistance (Federal)

COVID-19

The White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have created a website with resources related to COVID-19. There is information for everyone, including people who may think they are sick, travelers, pregnant women, children, and small businesses.

The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration ended on May 11, 2023. As such, while reporting frequency and source data for some metrics will subside, the agency will continue to report valuable data to inform individual and community health actions to protect the nation’s health. The website below remains in operation with current details about COVID-19 health measures.

www.coronavirus.gov

Disaster Assistance

The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP) provides disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

The site allows individuals to:

  • Find disaster assistance that meets an individual’s particular circumstances
  • Apply for disaster assistance and reduce the number of required forms
  • Check the status of applications
  • Find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center nearby
  • Find a hotel or a new place to live
  • Find programs to help with food and nutrition needs
  • Change address for Social Security, VA, or other federal benefits
  • Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses

www.disasterassistance.gov

FEMA Assistance

FEMA Helpline

Call 7 A.M. to 11 P.M. ET, 7 days a week:
1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)
TTY 1-800-462-7585
711 or VRS 1-800-621-3362

Or write to:
FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

FEMA Internet Help Desk
Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
1-800-745-0243

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are accessible meeting places set up after a disaster. The services offered at each DRC may vary. There are two ways to find a DRC nearby:

  1. Use the DRC locator found at egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator
  2. Text DRC and a Zip Code to 4FEMA (43362). Example: “DRC 01234.” Using this option does not add you to any messaging service.
Crisis Counseling
Assistance

FEMA’s Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) assists individuals and communities in recovering from natural and human-caused disasters through community-based outreach and access to mental health services.

Disaster Distress Helpline—1-800-985-5990 FEMA Helpline—1-800-621-3362 (TTY number: 1-800-846-8517).

For more information:
www.samhsa.gov/dtac/ccp

19.1 Emergency Housing (Federal)

General Search for open shelters near you by texting SHELTER and a Zip Code to 4FEMA (43362). Example: “SHELTER 01234.” Using this option does not add you to any messaging service.
FEMA Evacuee Hotels

FEMA has approved non-congregate sheltering assistance for some individuals and households impacted by earthquake activity in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Individuals and households eligible for this assistance will receive communication directly from FEMA officials explaining the process for accessing and checking into available lodging.

If you received damages as a result of the earthquake and have questions regarding FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362; for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or with speech disabilities, the Teletypewriter number is 1-800-462-7585.

www.femaevachotels.com

American Red Cross

You can find shelters by:

  • Visiting www.redcross.org
  • Downloading the “Emergency Red Cross Mobile” app
  • Calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Salvation Army

Enter your zip code at the top of the screen to find the nearest Salvation Army location:

www.salvationarmyusa.org

19.1 Family Locators (Federal)

Safe and Well

The American Red Cross maintains a web-based system that helps reunite friends and family displaced by a disaster. For reunification requests call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

The National Emergency Child Locator Center is operated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and may be activated through a request to FEMA from a State, Tribe, or Territory during Presidentially-declared disasters. The primary mission is to assist with the reunification of children who have become separated from their parents or legal guardians.

Individuals reporting or searching for a child missing as a result of a disaster should call the NEMEC at 1-800-843-5678; it is staffed 24 hours a day.

Next of Kin Registry

The Next of Kin Registry (NOKR) is a FREE tool for daily emergencies and national disasters. NOKR is your emergency contact system to help if you or your family member is missing, injured, or deceased.

www.nokr.org

Other

USA.gov also offers other sources for locating family.

www.usa.gov/after-disaster

19.1 Finding and Caring for Pets (Federal)

Pet-Friendly Hotels

For a list of pet-friendly hotels, please visit:

www.gopetfriendly.com

Animal Assistance Organizations

Humane Society (HQ Washington, DC)
1-866-720-2676 (M-F 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M.)
www.humanesociety.org

Wings of Rescue
Wings of Rescue is a 501(c)3 charity founded in 2012 by Cindy Smith that flies endangered pets from high-intake and/or high-kill shelters to no-kill shelters, from which they have all been adopted into loving homes.
www.wingsofrescue.org

ASPCA
www.aspca.org

http://greatergood.org/
greatergood.org

Best Friends Animal Society
General Information—1-435-644-2001
bestfriends.org

19.1 Legal Services Hotlines (Federal)

Disaster Legal Services Program

The purpose of Disaster Legal Services (DLS) is to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals who, prior to or as a result of the disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs.

Hotline:*

Texas 1-800-504-7030 (Routed to legal aid providers in individual’s area)

*Hotline is available in English and Spanish

Advocates for Disaster Justice

The Advocates for Disaster Justice serves as a centralized national resource for legal aid, pro bono, and criminal defender attorneys across the country on legal issues related to all types of disasters.

www.advocatesfordisasterjustice.org/about

State Bar Associations

Texas
1-800-204-2222
www.texasbar.com

Alabama
1-800-354-6154
www.alabar.org

Louisiana
1-800-421-5722
www.lsba.org

Mississippi
1-601-948-4471
www.msbar.org

Florida
1-850-561-5600
www.floridabar.org

19.1 International Evacuees (Federal)

General Consulate Information www.usembassy.gov
Select Embassy Information in Houston, Texas

Canada
1-713-821-1440

Costa Rica
1-713-266-0484

El Salvador
1-888-301-1130 / 1-713-773-3539

France
1-346-272-5363

Guatemala
1-713-953-9531

Honduras
1-346-201-6711 / 1-713-785-5931

Mexico
1-713-271-6800 / 1-713-995-1227

Nicaragua
1-713-789-2762

Panama
1-713-622-4451

Vietnam
1-713-850-1233 / 1-713-840-0096

19.1 Insurance Information (Federal)

HealthCare.gov and COVID-19

All Marketplace plans cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions and can’t terminate coverage due to a change in health status, including diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.

You should check with your health insurance company for your specific benefits and coverage policy, regardless of who your provider is.

If you lost your job, experienced hours reduction or were furloughed, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and could be eligible for coverage through HealthCare.gov.
Visit: www.healthcare.gov/screener.

If you can’t pay premiums because of COVID-related hardship, check with your insurance company about extending your premium payment deadline or ask if they will delay terminating your coverage if you can’t pay your premiums.
www.healthcare.gov/coronavirus

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) The National Flood Insurance Program aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.
www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program
National Association of Insurance Commissioners 1-816-783-8500
www.naic.org

19.1 Charitable Organizations (Recommended by FEMA) (Federal)

American Red Cross Disaster Donations Donate—1-800-435-7669
www.redcross.org
Red Cross of Houston 1-713-526-8300—2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX
www.redcross.org/local/texas/gulf-coast/about-us/locations/houston.html
Catholic Charities in Houston-Galveston 1-713-526-4611—2900 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX
1-713-227-9981—326 South Jensen Drive, Houston, TX
www.catholiccharities.org
Salvation Army Disaster Relief 1-713-752-0677—1500 Austin Street, Houston, TX
www.salvationarmyhouston.org

19.1 Federal Agencies and Resources (Federal)

U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal This web portal has links to many agencies and programs.
1-844-USA-GOV1 (1-844-872-4681)
www.usa.gov
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (through the U.S. Department of Labor) The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides temporary benefits to people who, due to a major disaster, lost or had their employment or self-employment interrupted.
1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627)
TTY number—1-877-889-5627
www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms-of-assistance/4466
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1-800-669-4000
Hearing Impaired—1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone—1-844-234-5122
info@eeoc.gov (include zip code and/or city and state so that your email will be sent to the appropriate office)
www.eeoc.gov
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213
TTY number—1-800-325-0778
www.ssa.gov
United States Postal Service 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)
TTY number—1-800-877-8339
www.usps.gov
USPS is reminding customers to complete change-of-address requests, especially if they expect to be out of their homes for extended periods.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (Medicare)

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
TTY number—1-877-486-2048
www.medicare.gov

Veterans Affairs 1-800-698-2411
TTY number—7-1-1
www.va.gov

VA Crisis Line (available 24/7)—1-800-273-8255 then press 1
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—988
Text—838255
Department of Education 1-800-872-5327
TTY number—1-800-877 8339
www.ed.gov
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fraud Line—1-800-347-3735
Fair Housing—1-800-669-9777
Fair Housing TTY number—1-800-877-8339
www.hud.gov
Ft. Worth Regional Office—1-817-978-5600
Houston Field Office—1-713-718-3199
San Antonio Field Office—1-210-475-6800
Internal Revenue Service 1-800-829-1040
TTY number—1-800-829-4059
www.irs.gov
Federal Citizen Information Center (f/k/a Federal Consumer Information Center) The U.S. Government Publishing Office Pueblo Distribution Center is a trusted one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services. The Pueblo.GPO.gov website is where consumers can go to find information and order publications on a variety of topics from the federal government.
Questions Only—1-719-295-2675
pueblo.gpo.gov/Publications/PuebloPubs.php
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Report Crimes—1-866-347-2423
TTY number—1-802-872-6196
Detainee-Related Information—1-888-351-4024
www.ice.gov
Department of Homeland Security Main—1-202-282-8000
Comments—1-202-282-8495
www.dhs.gov
Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest, long-term disaster loans to small businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property.

Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Apply online at www.sba.gov, in person at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, or by mail.
www.sba.gov
disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s
Call 1-800-659-2955 or email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
TTY number—1-800-877-8339

COVID-19 CARES Act of 2020 and SBA Coronavirus Relief Options

Following the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.

The CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on businesses. These programs include:

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The PPP is a loan designed to provide incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The PPP ended on May 31, 2021, but existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for 8 to 24 weeks following loan disbursement; if the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities; and if at least 60% of the money is used for payroll.

Apply for loan forgiveness through your PPP lender and complete SBA Form 3508, SBA Form 3508EZ, SBA Form 3508S, or a lender equivalent. You will also need to provide payroll information for all payroll periods that overlap with the covered period and all documentation related to expenses that occurred during the covered period.

SBA PPP webpage—www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program/ppp-loan-forgiveness

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) provides financial assistance to venue operators or promoters that faced financial hardship due to COVID-19. The business must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020. Entities that suffered the highest gross revenue loss between April 2020 and December 2020 will have the highest priority.

For eligible entities in operation as of January 1, 2019, grants will be either 45% of 2019 gross earned revenue or $10 million, whichever is less. For eligible entities that began operation after January 1, 2019, grants will be the average monthly gross earned revenue for each full month of operation in 2019 multiplied by six or $10 million, whichever is less.

For more information, visit—www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant.

Notice: SVOG is no longer accepting new applications. The SVOG portal remains open to all active applicants and awardees.

SVOG FAQs—www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/SVOG%20FAQs%204-23-21%20FINAL-508.pdf

Bankruptcy

The CARES Act raised the small business bankruptcy debt ceiling to $7,500,000. Small businesses looking to file bankruptcy rely on Subchapter V of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. To qualify, total debts of a business previously had to be less than $2,725,625.

For more information, visit: www.natlawreview.com/article/inside-cares-act-changes-to-bankruptcy-code-under-cares-act.

For businesses considering bankruptcy, please consult with an attorney (see “Legal Services” below).

19.1 Credit Bureaus (Federal)

Equifax 1-888-548-7878
Experian 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union 1-800-916-8800

19.2 General Assistance (Texas)

Texas Hurricane Center

gov.texas.gov/hurricane

Houston Emergency Updates
Call 3-1-1 or 1-713-884-3131

Road Conditions
1-800-452-9292
drivetexas.org

Roadside Assistance 1-800-525-5555

19.2 Emergency Housing (Texas)

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (search low-income housing by city or county)

Disaster Relief
1-800-525-0657
1-800-621-3362

Emergency & Homeless Services
(short-term rent help, eviction relief, and legal aid services) 1-800-525-0657

Fair Housing/Housing Discrimination
1-888-995-4673

Home Modification for Accessibility
1-800-525-0657

Home Repair Assistance
1-800-525-0657

Homebuyer Assistance & Education
1-800-792-1119

Loan Servicing
1-800-298-4013

Manufactured Housing
1-800-500-7074

Migrant Labor Housing
1-877-313-3023

Reduced Rent Apartments
1-800-525-0657

Rent Payment Help (Section 8)
1-800-237-6500
1-800-955-2232

Rent Payment Help
(eviction relief, legal aid)
1-800-525-0657

Utility Bill Payment Help
1-877-399-8939
1-877-541-7905

Weatherization
1-888-606-8889

Headquarters
Call weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
1-512-475-3800
1-800-525-0657
TTY number—1-800-735-2989
Email—info@tdhca.state.tx.us
www.tdhca.state.tx.us

19.2 Child Support Checks (Texas)

Texas Texas Attorney General
1-800-252-8014
www.oag.state.tx.us/child-support

19.2 Unemployment Assistance (Texas)

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides unemployment benefits for individuals who lost their jobs or self-employment or who are no longer working as a direct result of a major disaster or for which a disaster assistance period is declared, and who applied but are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/disaster-unemployment-assistance

Texas Workforce Commission Tele-Center:
Call weekdays 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
1-800-939-6631

19.2 Insurance Information (Texas)

Texas Department of Insurance Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line
Call 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
1-800-252-3439
www.tdi.texas.gov
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Call weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
1-800-788-8247
www.twia.org

19.2 Legal Services (Texas)

State Bar of Texas Phone: 1-512-427-1463
Fax: 1-800-204-2222
www.texasbar.com
Legal Hotline—1-800-504-7030
Lawyer Referral—1-800-252-9690
Call weekdays 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Houston Bar Association LegalLine is a hotline designed to help the people of Houston receive simple legal advice, answers, and referrals for free. All volunteers are Texas- licensed attorneys.

The Houston Bar Association is currently holding virtual LegalLine sessions on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Use the following link to sign up for a session:

www.hba.org/?pg=about-legalline
1-713-759-1133
www.hba.org
Lone Star Legal Aid Lone Star Legal Aid serves 72 counties in Texas and four in Arkansas, an area that covers one-third of the state of Texas, including almost 60,000 square miles from Texarkana to the Louisiana-Texas Gulf Coast state line, down to Matagorda Bay, and four counties in southwest Arkansas.

www.lonestarlegal.org

Disaster-related questions—1-866-659-0666

Houston Office—1-713-652-0077; 1-800-733-8394

Beaumont Office—1-409-835-4971; 1-800-365-1861

Galveston Office—1-409-763-0381; 1-800-551-3712
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Servicing South, Central, and West Texas.

www.trla.org

General—1-833-329-TRLA (8752)

Disaster-related questions—1-956-996-TRLA (8752)
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas Eviction-related questions—1-855-548-8457
Disaster-related questions—1-817-339-5391

www.lanwt.org

To apply, visit www.lanwt.org/gethelp
Disability Rights Texas 1-800-252-9108
Sign Language Video Phone—1-866-362-2851

www.disabilityrightstx.org
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse 1-713-224-9911
24-Hour National DV Hotline—1-800-799-7233

avda-tx.org
American Civil Liberties Union 1-713-942-8146
1-888-653-6498

Austin Office—1-512-478-7300
Dallas Office—1-214-346-6575
El Paso Office—1-915-533-8091
Rio Grande Valley Office—1-956-338-1603

www.aclutx.org
Family Violence Legal Hotline 1-800-374-HOPE (4673)

www.texasadvocacyproject.org

19.2 Real Estate and Housing re: Coronavirus (Texas)

Texas REALTORS 

Texas REALTORS has a FAQ page with information regarding leasing and property management. There are resources for residential renters and landlords.

 www.texasrealestate.com/about-us/newsroom/coronavirus-faqs/coronavirus-faqsleasing-property-mangement  

19.2 Legal Services (Bexar County) (Texas)

San Antonio Bar Association 

San Antonio Young Lawyers Association 

1-210-227-8822  

www.sanantoniobar.org

1-210-294-6775

 www.sayla.org 

19.2 Legal Services (Travis County) (Texas)

Austin Bar Association 

1-512-472-0279  

www.austinbar.org 

Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas

1-512-472-8303  

www.austinlrs.com 

19.2 Texas Attorney General (Texas)

Main Agency Switchboard 

1-512-463-2100  

www.oag.state.tx.us 

Consumer Complaints (e.g., price gouging)  1-800-621-0508
Public Information & Assistance (Constituent Affairs 1-800-252-8011 or 1-512-475-4413 (in Austin) 
Consumer protection hotline  1-800-621-0508 
Child Support (to apply for services)  1-800-252-8014 (automated information) or 1-512-460-6000 (Weekdays 8:30 A.M.—4:30 P.M.) 

19.2 Other State Agencies & Resources (Texas)

Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (helping with physical or mental disabilities in employment matters)

1-855-937-2372  

Division for Rehabilitative Services—1-254-770-5800  

Division for the Blind—1-254-753-1552  

ctadvrc.org/blog/projects/texas-department-of-assistive-and-rehabilitative-services 

Texas Department of Mental Health 

1-512-776-7111 / 1-888-963-7111 1-800-989-6884 (Texas Youth Hotline)  

www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use 

Texas Department of State Health Services (including mental health) 

1-512-776-7111 / 1-888-963-7111  

www.dshs.state.tx.us 

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs 

1-512-475-3800 / 1-800-525-0657  

www.tdhca.state.tx.us

Department of Licensing & Regulation 

1-512-463-6599 / 1-800-803-9202  

  www.tdlr.texas.gov 

Department of Public Safety 

Austin Headquarters—1-512-424-2000

www.dps.texas.gov  

DPS Driver License & Customer Service—1-512-424-2600 

Division of Worker’s Compensation 

1-800-252-7031  

www.tdi.texas.gov/wc 

Texas Department of Education 

1-512-463-9734  

www.tea.state.tx.us 

Texas Health and Human Services— Aging  

Austin Headquarters—1-855-937-2372  

hhs.texas.gov/services/aging  

19.3 Alcoholics Anonymous

Houston Office 

1-713-686-6300

aahouston.org 

Austin Office 

1-512-444-0071  

austinaa.org

Dallas Office & Help Line 

1-214-887-6699  

www.aadallas.org/wordpress 

San Antonio Office & Help Line 

1-210-828-6235  

Spanish Hotline—1-210-409-8524 aasanantonio.org 

19.3 Immigration Services

Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses of Galveston-Houston 

1-713-595-4100 / 1-713-874-6750 (St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance)

 www.catholiccharities.org 

Central American Resource Center 

1-713-665-1284  

carecenhouston@gmail.com 

Casa Juan Diego 

1-713-869-7376  

cjd.org 

Immigration Counseling Center 

1-713-953-0047  

icci@peoplepc.com 

19.3 Family, Women, and Youth Services

Family, Women, and Youth Services 

1-713-683-7227

 www.houstonalanon.org 

Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, Inc. (AAMA) 

1-713-967-6700  

www.aama.org 

Avance Family Support & Education Program (AAMA)

1-713-812-0033  

www.avancehouston.org 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston 

1-888-887-2447  

www.bbbstx.org 

Casa de Esperanza/Bilingual 

1-713-529-0639  

www.casahope.org 

Community Family Center/Bilingual 

1-713-923-2316  

www.communityfamilycenters.org 

Child Advocates, Inc. 

1-713-529-1396

www.childadvocates.org 

Children Assessment Center, (The CAC) 

1-713-986-3300  

cachouston.org 

Children’s Protective Services—Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults 

1-713-394-4000  

To report abuse or neglect—1-800-252-5400  

TRIAD Prevention Program—1-713-295-2600  

www.hc-ps.org 

Covenant House 

1-713-523-2231  

www.covenanthousetx.org 

DePelchin Children’s Center  

Houston—1-713-730-2335  

Toll Free Outside of Houston—1-888-730-2335

 Austin—1-512-719-3222  

San Antonio—1-210-691-3222

Lubbock—1-806-745-3222  

www.depelchin.org 

Escape Family Resource Center 

1-713-942-9500

www.learntoparent.org 

Family Life Ministry 

1-713-659-5461

 www.archgh.org/offices-ministries/pastoral-educationalministries/family-life-ministry

Family Services of Greater Houston

Central Location—1-713-861-4849

www.familyhouston.org 

Family Time Crisis Hotline 

1-281-446-2615  

familytimeccc.org

Jewish Community Center 

1-713-729-3200  

www.erjcchouston.org 

Jewish Family Service 

1-713-667-9336  

www.jfshouston.org 

Justice for Children 

1-713-225-4357  

Helpline—1-800-733-0059  

justiceforchildren.org 

Learning Support Center at Texas Children’s Hospital 

Return Appointments—1-832-822-3700

New Patients—1-832-822-1900

Speech, Language, and Learning—1-832-822-3280

www.texaschildrens.org/departments/psychology  

www.texaschildrens.org/departments/speech-language-and-learning

Aids to Victims of Domestic Abuse 

1-713-224-9911  

avda-tx.org 

S.H.A.P.E. Community Center 

Harambee Administrative Office—1-713-521-0629  

Nia Becnel Family Center—1-713-521-0641

www.shape.org 

University of Texas Psychiatric Services 

1-713-741-5000  

hcpc.uth.edu

University of Houston-Parent Education Project 

Families Can Program—1-713-743-5491

www.uh.edu/education/pep

University of Houston-Psychology Research & Services Center 

1-713-743-9682  

uh.edu/class/psychology/clinics 

Texas Crime Victims Clearinghouse (Victim Services Division) 

1-800-848-4284 

www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/vs

Women’s Hospital of Texas Education Department 

Patient Education—1-281-438-4357  

womanshospital.com

womanshospital.com/patient-education 

Bay Area Turning Point 

24-Hour Hotline—1-281-286-2525  

www.bayareaturningpoint.org 

The Bridge Over Troubled Waters 

24-Hour Emergency Hotline—1-713-473-2801  

Administration (Pasadena Office)—1-713-472-0753  

Administration (Baytown Office)—1-281-420-5600

www.thebridgeovertroubledwaters.org 

Women’s Center of Brazoria County

Administrative Office—1-979-849-9553  

24-Hour Hotline (Central & South County)—1-800-243-5788  

24-Hour Hotline (North County)—1-281-585-0902 

www.womenscenterbc.com 

Fort Bend County Women’s Center 

Office—1-281-344-5750  

24-Hour Hotline—1-281-342-4357

www.fortbendwomenscenter.org

Houston Area Women’s Center 

Business—1-713-528-6798  

Domestic Violence Hotline—1-713-528-2121  

Sexual Assault Hotline—1-713-528-7273  

www.hawc.org 

Montgomery County Women’s Center 

24-Hour Hotline—1-936-441-7273

24-Hour Hotline (Spanish) —1-936-441-7273 Business—1-936-441-4044

mcwctx.org 

19.3 Senior Services

Alzheimer’s Association—Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter

Houston Chapter—1-713-314-1313

24-Hour Helpline—1-800-272-3900

www.alz.org/texas 

AARP 

Dallas Office—1-866-227-7443

www.aarp.org 

American Cancer Society

Cancer Helpline—1-800-227-2345

www.cancer.org 

American Diabetes Association

Disaster Relief—1-800-342-2383

Central South Texas—1-713-977-7706

www.diabetes.org 

American Heart Association 

Houston Office—1-832-918-4000

Customer Service—1-800-242-8721

www.heart.org 

Houston/Harris County Area Agency on Aging

1-832-393-4301 / 1-800-213-8471

Email: aging@houstontx.gov

www.houstontx.gov/health/Aging 

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston 

1-713-533-4900

www.imgh.org 

Legal Hotline for Texans

1-800-622-2520, Option 3

www.tlsc.org/seniors 

New Lifestyles—The Source for Senior Living 

1-800-869-9549 / 1-214-824-0022  

Visit www.newlifestyles.com for the contact number in your area. 

Salvation Army—Houston

Salvation Army Family Shelter  

Salvation Army Social Services 

1-713-752-0677 / 1-800-725-2769

 www.salvationarmyhouston.org 

Senior Guidance Program of the Houston Junior Forum 

1-713-868-6970  

houstonjuniorforum.org 

West University Place, City of Senior Services

1-713-662-5895

www.westutx.gov/220/Senior-Services 

19.4 Houston Area Helpful Numbers

NAACP—Houston 

1-713-526-3389  

naacphouston.org

Houston City Hall 

1-713-837-0311  

www.houstontx.gov/events/cityhall.html 

Houston Health Department 

1-832-393-5088  

www.houstontx.gov/health 

Houston Housing Authority 

Customer—1-713-260-0600

TTY (for the hearing impaired)—1-713-260-0547

www.housingforhouston.com

Automobile Registration (Harris County) 

1-713-274-8000 

www.hctax.net 

County Clerk (Harris County) 

Clerk’s Office—1-832-927-7230

Civil Courthouse—1-713-274-6390  

www.cclerk.hctx.net 

Child Support Customer Service Center

1-800-252-8014

www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cs/contact-the-child-support-division 

Harris County Department of Education 

1-713-694-6300  

www.hcde-texas.org 

Harris County District Clerk 

1-832-927-5800

www.hcdistrictclerk.com/Common/Default.aspx 

Harris County Information Center (Online Directory) 

1-713-755-5000  

www.ccl.hctx.net/admin/default.htm 

Marriage License 

Personal Records Department—1-713-274-8686

www.cclerk.hctx.net/PersonalRecords.aspx#Mal 

Probate Clerk’s Office  Visit www.co.harris.tx.us/probate to determine the appropriate probate court. 
Harris County Veterans Services Office 

1-281-876-6600  

www.harrisvets.com 

Texas Department of State Health Services (including mental health) 

Toll Free—1-888-963-7111

Main—1-512-776-7111  

www.dshs.texas.gov/contact-us  

Texas Department of Insurance 

Main—1-800-578-4677

Consumer Help Line—1-800-252-3439  

www.tdi.texas.gov 

Texas Workforce Commission (Houston Office) 

1-800-628-5115  

www.twc.state.tx.us/ 

Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS)—now with Texas Health and Human Services Commission 

1-855-937-2372 

ctadvrc.org/contact-us  

Texas Department of Insurance— Division of Worker’s Compensation 

1-800-252-7031, Option 1  

www.tdi.texas.gov/wc   

Texas Workers Compensation Health & Safety Hotline 

1-800-252-7031, Option 2  

www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/dwccontacts.html 

Texas Veterans Commission 

Crisis Hotline—988, Press 1

Austin Headquarters—1-512-463-6564  

www.tvc.texas.gov 

Workforce Solutions  www.wrksolutions.com 
Federal Courts, Southern District of Texas 

Houston Division—1-713-250-5500  

www.txs.uscourts.gov

Municipal Courts  

Administration Department—1-713-247-5479 

Small Claims Courts Visit www.jp.hctx.net/default.htm to determine the appropriate justice of the peace court. 
Jail Division Public Information Website 

Non-emergency—1-713-221-6000

Incarcerated Person Information—1-713-755-5300  

Information Line—1-346-286-1600 

www.harriscountyso.org/JailInfo/Default  

Non-Emergency number (Harris County Sheriff) 

1-713-221-6000  

www.harriscountyso.org/ContactUs/Contact  

Jury Summons Information for Harris County 

1-713-221-6000 / 1-713-755-6392 (after 10 A.M.)

www.hcdistrictclerk.com/common/juror/Secure/jurorsearch.aspx 

Texas Department of Criminal Justice 

Austin—1-512-463-9988  

Visit www.tdcj.state.tx.us to determine the appropriate division. 

Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department 

1-713-755-2700  

cscd.harriscountytx.gov  

Traffic Ticket Info/Municipal Courts 

1-713-837-0311  

Ticket information—www.houstontx.gov/courts/ticket_information.html  

Traffic cases—www.jp.hctx.net/traffic  

Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas 

1-713-250-5500  

www.txs.uscourts.gov/offices/houston-division 

Better Business Bureau (Houston)

1-713-868-9500  

www.bbb.org/houston

Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line 

1-800-252-3439  

www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb022.html 

 National Association of the Remodeling Industry 

1-847-298-9200  

www.nari.org  

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/Bilingual 

1-800-638-2772  

www.cpsc.gov 

19.4 Houston Area Emergency Crisis and Intervention Services

Crime Stoppers

1-713-222-TIPS (8477)

www.crime-stoppers.org

19.4 Houston Area Additional Assistance

Certified Public Accountant Referral (Houston CPA Society)

1-713-622-7733

https://www.houstoncpa.org/homepage

Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership

1-713-844-3600
contact@houston.org

www.houston.org

City of Houston Check www.houstontx.gov for updated information on storm clean up and dial 3-1-1 with questions.
Greater Houston Fair Housing Center—Bilingual Intake for housing discrimination matter

1-713-641-3247

greaterhoustonfairhousingcenter.cfsites.org/index.php

Harris County

Office—1-832-927-8200
Disaster Recovery Hotline—1-832-927-8301

Check harrisrecovery.org for the latest information.

Harris County Medical Society

1-713-524-4267

www.hcms.org/tmaimis

Houston Apartment Association

1-713-595-0300

www.haaonline.org

Houston Association of Realtors

HAR Central Office—1-713-629-1900
Legal Support Hotline—1-800-873-9155
SUPRA Support—1-877-699-6787
Matris MLS—1-877-805-7301

www.har.com

Univision, KXLN-TV Spanish News Station

1-713-965-2600

www.univision.com

Library Public Houston (General)

Central Library, Jesse H. Jones Building—1-832-393-1313

houstonlibrary.org

Harris County Law Library

1-713-755-5183

www.harriscountylawlibrary.org

Federal Public Defenders

Houston Office—1-713-718-4600

www.fpdsdot.org/en

Copies of State & Federal Laws

Texas State Law Library:
www.sll.texas.gov
1-512-463-1722 / 1-844-829-2843

Texas Legislature Online
www.capitol.state.tx.us

Harris County Tax Assessor & Collector

1-713-274-8000

www.hctax.net

Solid Waste Management Department

Solid Waste Management is responsible for storm debris collection in the city of Houston.
www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste

Or call 3-1-1 for debris drop-off locations and pick-up information. For instructions on separating your debris for removal, see: www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/debris_08302017.html.

19.5 Beaumont Area Helpful Numbers

American Red Cross (Beaumont Chapter)

1-409-833-2322

www.redcross.org/local/texas/gulf-coast/about-us/locations/southeast-deep-east.html

Buckner Children & Family Services

1-214-758-8023

buckner.org

Catholic Charities

1-409-924-4400

www.catholiccharitiesbmt.org

Communities In Schools, Southeast Texas, Inc.

1-409-951-1810

cisset.org

Family Services of Southeast Texas

Main Office—1-409-833-2668

24-Hour Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline—1-409-832-7575 / 1-800-621-8882

www.westrengthenfamilies.org

Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas, Inc.

1-409-838-9911

www.goodwilltxla.org

Nutrition & Services for Seniors—Meals on Wheels of Jefferson and Hardin Counties

1-409-892-4455

seniormeals.org

Some Other Place

1-409-832-7976

www.someotherplacebeaumont.com

The Salvation Army of Beaumont

1-409-896-2361

www.salvationarmytexas.org

United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County

1-409-835-4575

www.uwbmt.org

Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau

1-409-880-3749

www.beaumontcvb.com

SE Texas Food Bank

1-409-839-8777

setxfoodbank.org

Blood and Plasma Research, Inc.

1-409-835-7268

bloodandplasma.com

LifeShare Blood Centers

to donate—1-800-256-5433
donor hotline—1-800-259-7233

www.lifeshare.org

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