Natural Disaster Relief Hotlines and Clinics

State Bar of Texas [1]

Tropical Storm Imelda - Information and Help

Read the Imelda Disaster Press Release here [2] to learn about available services.

Legal Hotline [3] for those affected by Tropical Storm Imelda (Lone Star Legal Aid): 866-659-0666.

Catholic Charities [4] Imelda Disaster Recovery Assistance: Catholic Charities may be able to help you directly or refer you to additional resources. To ask for assistance, please see go to https://catholiccharities.org/imeldaresources/ [4]. 

FEMA Disaster Info [5]: Apply [6] for FEMA assistance and get resource referral [7] information. Go to https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4466 [5].  

Immigrant Disaster Recovery Information [8]: Even non-US citizens may be eligible for help. See here [8].

IRS Tax Relief: [9] The IRS may let you claim a loss due to Imelda and even give you an extension to pay your taxes. You may also be able to get a free copy of your lost tax returns. Go here [9] to learn how.

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Imelda Disaster Unemployment Assistance - Due November 7, 2019

Disaster Unemployment Assistance: [10] Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available to workers across all 6 affected counties. You must apply by November 7, 2019.  Be aware that you must also send in all required documentation within 21 days from the date you apply.

Required documents include: Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form, check stubs, and/or documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Go here [11] for information on eligibility and what documents you will need.

  • When you are ready to apply, access the Unemployment Assistance Application Portal [12] at https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services#applyForBenefits [12]. You can also apply by calling a TWC Tele-Center, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 800-939-6631. However, online is usually faster.
  • After applying, mail required documents to: Texas Workforce Commission, P.O. Box 149137, Austin, TX, 78714-9137, or fax them to 512-936-3250. 
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Texas Declares Disaster in Dallas/Fort Worth Area Affected by Tornadoes

Governor Abbot has declared disaster in the following counties due to tornado damage: Cass; Cameron; Collin; Dallas; Ellis; Erath; Hunt; Kaufman; Lamar; Panola; Rains; Rockwall; Rusk; Tarrant; Van Zandt; and Wood. 

Declaring a disaster will make additional resources available in affected areas.

The State Bar of Texas toll-free legal hotline — 800-504-7030 — connects callers with legal aid providers in their area who can help with such issues as replacing lost documents, insurance questions, landlord-tenant problems, and consumer protection matters such as price-gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the rebuilding process. The hotline can assist callers in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. People who qualify for assistance will be matched with Texas lawyers who can provide free, limited civil legal help. 

Individuals who qualify also may use texaslegalanswers.org [13] — an online, Q&A-style service where people can pose specific questions related to disaster civil legal issues and have them answered online by Texas volunteer attorneys. 

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DISASTER RELIEF CONTACTS & RESOURCES

Please review the contacts and resources listed below. They can help you prepare for, survive, and recover from a disaster.

For information about free legal help for those affected by storms and flooding in 3 South Texas counties, go here [14]. Or call the free hotline at 866-757-1570 (low income only). 

 

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Non-Profit Organizations

American Red Cross [15]

(800) HELP-NOW

Salvation Army [16]

(800) SAL-ARMY

Missing [17]Persons [17] Registries [17]

(866) GET-INFO

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Disaster Resource Manual

See the Disaster Resource Manual [18] for answers to many of your questions and information on different organizations that may be able to help you.

Go to the Disaster Resource Manual [18].

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Texas Resources

State of Texas [19]

(877) 452-9060

 

 

Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection [20]

(800) 621-0508

Texas Department of Insurance [21]

(800) 578-4677

Texas Department of Health and Human Services [22]

(800) 436-6184

Texas Rural Mediation Services [23]

(866) 329-3522

2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network [24]

(877) 541-7905

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Legal Resources 

State Bar of Texas Legal Disaster Hotline

(800) 504-7030

The State Bar of Texas [25]

(800) 204-2222

State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Services [26]

(800) 252-9690

Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, Inc. [27]

(866) 303-8303

Dallas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service [28]

(214) 220-7444

Houston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service [29]

(713) 237-9429

San Antonio Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service [30]

(210) 227-1853

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas [31]

(855) 548-8457 

Lone Star Legal Aid [32]

(800) 733-8394

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid [33]

(866) 757-1570

Texas Legal Services Center [34]

(800) 622-2520

TexasLawHelp.org [35]

 

Texas Legal Answers [36]

 

National Disaster Legal Aid website [37]

 

The Centers for the Law and Public's Health [38]

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Federal Resources 

Flu.gov [39]

(800) 232-4636

FEMA’s Federal Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals [40]

(800) 621-FEMA (3362)

Department of Homeland Security [41]

(202) 282-8000

Government Benefits Search [42]

(800) 333-4636

Administration for Community Living [43]

(202) 619-0724

Dept. of Health and Human Services [44]

(877) 696-6775

Centers for Disease Control [45]

(800) CDC-INFO

Small Business Administration [46]

(800) 659-2955

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Weather Safety Tips

For safety tips related to tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flooding, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Severe Weather Awareness Web page [47].

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Psychological & Counseling Resources 

Phases of Traumatic Stress Reactions in a Disaster [48]

American Red Cross [15]

Salvation Army [49]

Texas Department of State Health Services [50]

Disaster Mental Health Services [51]

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© TexasLawHelp.org - Source URL: https://texaslawhelp.org/article/natural-disaster-relief-hotlines-and-clinics

Links
[1] https://texaslawhelp.org/directory/court/state-bar-texas
[2] https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/disaster/tx_4466_press_release.pdf
[3] https://lonestarlegal.blog/2019/09/19/state-bar-of-texas-and-lone-star-legal-aid-promote-disaster-legal-hotline-for-those-affected-by-tropical-storm-imelda/
[4] https://catholiccharities.org/imeldaresources/
[5] https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4466
[6] https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
[7] https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1570472136101-b65e063ff815fc0cdf6f7cef1971db5e/DR4466TX_FINAL_State_andLocalReferrals10_7_2019.pdf
[8] https://texaslawhelp.org/sites/default/files/immigrant_eligibility_lsla.pdf
[9] https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-tax-relief-for-texas-victims-of-tropical-storm-imelda
[10] https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-contact-information-claimants
[11] https://twc.texas.gov/news/disaster-aid-available-chambers-harris-jefferson-liberty-montgomery-and-orange-counties
[12] https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services#applyForBenefits
[13] http://texaslegalanswers.org
[14] https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Releases&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=46710
[15] http://www.redcross.org/
[16] http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
[17] http://www.satern.org/
[18] https://texaslawhelp.org/article/disaster-assistance-manual
[19] http://www.state.tx.us/
[20] http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/index.shtml
[21] http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/
[22] http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/default.htm
[23] http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/tx/programs/?cid=nrcs144p2_002580
[24] http://www.211texas.org/
[25] http://www.texasbar.com/
[26] https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Lawyer_Referral_Service_LRIS_&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=15664
[27] http://www.austinlrs.com/index.html
[28] http://www.dallasbar.org/lawyerreferralservice
[29] https://hlrs.org/
[30] https://www.sanantoniobar.org/need-a-lawyer/
[31] http://www.lanwt.org/
[32] http://www.lonestarlegal.org/
[33] http://www.trla.org/centexfloods
[34] http://www.tlsc.org/index.html
[35] http://www.texaslawhelp.org/
[36] http://www.texaslegalanswers.org/
[37] http://www.disasterlegalaid.org/
[38] http://www.publichealthlaw.net/index.php
[39] http://www.flu.gov/
[40] http://www.fema.gov/
[41] http://www.dhs.gov/disasters
[42] http://www.govbenefits.gov/
[43] https://www.acl.gov/programs/emergency-preparedness
[44] https://www.phe.gov/emergency/pages/default.aspx
[45] http://www.cdc.gov/disasters/
[46] http://www.sba.gov/
[47] http://dps.texas.gov/dem/ThreatAwareness/weather_aware_severe.htm
[48] http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/trauma/disaster-terrorism/phases-trauma-reactions.asp
[49] http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
[50] http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/
[51] http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/comprep/dmh/default.shtm