HOUSTON – Families across the Houston area are still waiting for their checks from FEMA. KPRC 2 has received dozens of calls and emails searching for answers.
“I spoke with FEMA today,” one viewer said. “I have been approved for a disaster assistance check. I was told that the state of Texas has not released them for distribution. Why? When?”
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Another viewer said they were approved July 18 and have still not received their money.
“Per FEMA, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services is to distribute the funds, and it should take no more than 10 to 14 business days,” they said.
“When I called the disaster assistance line for the State of Texas, they are not taking any calls. The message states that they cannot talk to you at this time. I wonder how many more individuals are suffering and not receiving their grant to replenish perishable supplies. Why is Texas DHHS holding the funds?”
“I thought I’d give FEMA a ring to see how I can get my hands on that recovery cash. Turns out, they’ve passed the baton to our friends at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services,” another viewer said.
“Apparently, they’re in charge of the funds but when you call, it’s like trying to reach a rock star. You can’t actually talk to a human.”
KPRC 2′s Faith Braverman experienced similar issues while trying to get answers. After hours of calling and emailing multiple agencies, a representative with FEMA Region 6 sent the following:
We are committed to ensuring all disaster survivors receive every dollar of disaster assistance for which they are eligible and continue to help them in their recovery process. To date, FEMA has approved $558.8 million in financial help for Texans for Hurricane Beryl.
Other Needs Assistance (ONA) payments are being paid by the State of Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TX HHSC). This includes Serious Needs Assistance, which is a one-time $750 payment to help individuals pay for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breast feeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies. In this joint operation, the State processes ONA using the same eligibility requirements as FEMA, and the payments are disbursed by TX HHSC. If survivors have any inquiries about Other Needs Assistance funds, they can call the State of Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TX HHSC) helpline at 1-800-582-5233.
Texas Health and Human Services also released a statement in regards to the FEMA checks:
HHSC is working diligently to distribute funds to FEMA approved disaster survivors. While we are answering calls as quickly and efficiently as we can, wait times are longer than usual as our staff handles the increased volume of calls.
To date, HHSC has distributed $450 million in Other Needs Assistance (ONA) funds to disaster survivors in the Houston area in connection with Hurricane Beryl. Limitations of our claims processing system, that have since been resolved, created a significant delay in funds being distributed. In addition, HHSC sent $10 million to the Comptroller for processing by the close of business Monday. The Comptroller distributes money via direct deposit or by mailed check.
HHSC is also working to expand the capacity to our hotline. We are adding new staff to handle the additional calls. However, FEMA requires agents to have a fingerprint background check, which is causing additional delays in expanding the hotline. In the meantime, FEMA has agreed to answer HHSC inquiries on their hotline while we expand our hotline capacity.
HHSC has deployed ONA personnel to staff six FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Harris and Montgomery counties. Applicants visiting these locations can ask staff questions about their case. The DRCs are located at:
- Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market St., Houston, TX 77020
- Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Road, Houston, TX 77091
- SpringSpirit, 8526 Pitner Road, Houston, TX 77080
- Felix Baldree Building, 13828 Corpus Christi St., Houston, TX 77015
- Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston, TX 77084
- 16401 1st St., Splendora, TX
Please view the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Locator for more information.
KPRC 2 is committed to getting more answers and will update this article as information becomes available.
