Texans May Need More Documents Regarding Winter Storm Assistance

Texans who registered for FEMA assistance after February’s winter storms may have received a determination letter regarding eligibility.

Read the letter carefully. It may not be the final answer. FEMA may simply need extra documents to process your application. Every applicant may appeal and ask FEMA to review your case. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Some reasons why you may be determined ineligible or no decision can be made include:

• Ownership of property not proven
•  No contact information provided to schedule an inspection.

Disaster survivors must be able to provide proof of occupancy that they lived in the disaster-damaged primary residence before the February storms. Examples of documents that can prove occupancy include: a utility bill; a bank or credit card statement; an employer’s statement such as a pay stub; a lease or housing agreement; or a rent receipt. All bills or statements must be dated within three months before the disaster. Other acceptable proof can be a current driver's license or state-issued ID card.

FEMA and state officials are warning consumers about scam artists, identity thieves, and other criminals trying to take advantage of disaster survivors. Report any suspicious activity to FEMA’s Fraud

Tip line at 866-223-0814 or FEMA-OCSO-Tipline@fema.dhs.gov

.Or, contact the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.