Receiving Disaster Assistance

HHSC is distributing FEMA-approved relief funds to those affected by Hurricane Beryl. Learn more (PDF).

Following a disaster, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission coordinates efforts to provide information and help to Texans. During a disaster, this page provides information on office openings, benefits and information about other groups offering aid. Read below for the types of help provided after disasters.

General Disaster Assistance Information

Food

When a disaster strikes, HHSC will work with the federal government to make sure services such as SNAP food benefits remain available to our clients. In addition to administering Disaster SNAP, you might be able to get benefits early, have benefits replaced, buy hot foods with your Lone Star Card or have your benefits renewed automatically. In the event of an emergency lost Lone Star Cards can be replaced in a local office.

WIC can play an important role in helping families impacted by disasters get back on their feet. WIC benefits will continue to be provided during a disaster.

Health Care

HHSC realizes a disaster can force families out of their homes, making it difficult to find health care. If a disaster strikes, HHSC and medical plans may work to:

  • Make sure you can see an out-of-network provider for emergency and non-emergency services if you evacuate.
  • Help you find a new doctor if you can't see your old doctor.
  • Make sure your service authorizations can be extended if the disaster affects your ability to get a new service authorization.
  • Reschedule your fair hearing if you miss the hearing because of the disaster.
  • Waive your CHIP co-payments for a period of time.

When a disaster strikes, you can get information from your medical plan or on this page about temporary adjustments to processes and policies HHSC implements as a result of a disaster.

Housing

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) oversees and gives this type of help. It includes:

  • Housing for a limited time
  • Home repair and building
  • Another home (replacement)

Who is it for?

Homeowners and renters whose property has been damaged or destroyed in a federally declared disaster.
If a person living in the home isn’t a spouse or dependent, they must apply for help on their own. To find out if someone is a dependent, go to Publication 501 (2022), Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. People visiting or passing through when the disaster happened also might be able to get help if they had damages.

Contacts

FEMA Housing Assistance
Phone: 1-800-621-3362
Website: FEMA.gov

Other Needs Assistance

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission works with FEMA in giving this type of help. It helps pay for disaster-related costs such as:

  • Furniture and appliances
  • Vehicle repair and replacement
  • Moving and storage
  • Medical and dental needs
  • Funeral needs
  • Child care

Other facts

To get Other Needs Assistance these rules must be met:

  • The county where you live must be declared a federal disaster area.
  • You must apply for disaster help and be approved by FEMA.
  • If you have insurance (home, health, flood, or car), you need to file a claim with your insurance company. Keep insurance records of the money they give you for losses.
  • You must first use all insurance benefits and any other help you can get from federal, state, and local agencies (for example, insurance settlements, disaster loans, and help from the Red Cross and Salvation Army).
  • You can’t get Other Needs Assistance if you turn down other help.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen. Certain legal immigrants also might be able to get help. If only your child is a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant who meets certain rules, you can apply for help on your child’s behalf.

How can I check the status of my ONA payment?

  • In-Person: Visit one of the following FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to check the status of your ONA payment. They are open Mondays-Saturdays, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • DRC 4: Thomas Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Ln, Houston, TX 77084
    • DRC 13: Felix Baldree Building, 13828 Corpus Christi St, Houston, TX 77015
    • DRC 37: BakerRipley East Aldine Campus, 3000 Aldine Mail Route Road, Houston, TX 77039
    • DRC 40: George H. W. Bush Community Center, 6827 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379
    • DRC 41: Milton Lusk Activity Center, 1022 Mercury Dr., Houston, TX 77029
  • FEMA Contact Information:
  • HHSC Contact Information:
    • Call: 1-800-582-5233 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Central time, 7 days per week)
    • Email: DisasterAssistance@hhsc.state.tx.us
    • Mail:
      HHSC Disaster Assistance MC Y-950
      P.O. Box 149030
      Austin, TX 78714

State Hospitals and State Supported Living Centers

Each state supported living center and state hospital has extensive evacuation plans and designated shelter sites in case we need to move our residents. Should an evacuation become necessary, we will contact the family as soon as possible.

We will update this site during an evacuation to identify the evacuating facility as well as the shelter site location. If you can't reach the facility through the social worker or switchboard during an emergency, call the HSCS Emergency Operations Center 512-206-5435.

Resources