February 2021
February 2021
Page last updated: 07/07/2021
Severe winter storms struck the state of Texas between February 11 and February 20. On February 20, President Biden declared a major disaster, making federal funding available to individuals and business owners affected.
People in the following counties are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:
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*Added on February 23, 2021.
**Added on February 26, 2021.
† Added on Jun 24, 2021.
A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for those in Texas impacted by the severe winter storms. Survivors facing legal issues may call 1- 800-504-7030 between 9:00am and 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday to learn of the available civil legal resources in their area.
You can view the full press release and a list of detailed resources here.
FEMA Application Deadline
Thursday, May 20, 2021 (all counties)
* On April 15th, 2021, FEMA approved a 30- day extension. The original deadline had been April 20th.
† Kerr, Lamar, and Shackleford counties were added on June 24th, and residents of those counties have until Monday, August 23, 2021, to apply.
Appeal your FEMA decision letter
Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.
SNAP Replacement Deadline
66 Counties have been approved for automatic partial SNAP replacement. Residents of counties not on this list have until March 31st, 2021, to apply for SNAP replacement. For more information, please see the Food Aid section, below.
Disaster Unemployment
Wednesday, March 26th, 2021
Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:
Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.
Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov
In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).
Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s disaster declaration webpage to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.
Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.
Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.
SNAP Replacement is available for disaster survivors who are receiving SNAP “Food Stamps” benefits.
SNAP recipients in 66 affected counties will automatically receive a percentage of their February benefit allotment on their Lone Star cards by March 4.
The 66 counties are:
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Texas SNAP customers who do not live in one of the 66 eligible counties can request a benefit replacement for food lost or destroyed due to the winter storm in February 2021 by calling 2-1-1 or sending in Form H1855. You do not need to go to an HHSC local office.
Form H1855 can be obtained at this link. Please click “save as” and download the form to your computer; it will not work in your browser.
Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or faxed to 1-877-447-2839.
The deadline for getting SNAP replacement is March 31st.
Please see the full press release here.
If you lost food during the ice storm but are not receiving SNAP, can use the Tackle Hunger Map in the resource section below, to contact a nearby food pantry and see if they can assist you.
Access legal aid organizations and other helpful recovery assistance through the resources below.
The Disaster Legal Services hotline is now available in response to damages by the severe winter storms that began February 11, 2021 in Texas. The State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association, and legal aid providers across the state are providing free disaster legal assistance efforts to individuals in the 108 counties that were affected by the recent storms Texas.
Low-income survivors facing legal issues may call 1-800-504-7030 between 9:00am and 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The hotline offers assistance in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Survivors who qualify for assistance will be matched with local legal aid providers and volunteer attorneys to provide free legal help.
You can view the full press release here.
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