‘We are finally going to get some help’: KPRC 2 helps mom with 11 kids get FEMA assistance

NEW CANEY – After weeks of waiting, a New Caney family is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Apalonia Sanchez is mom to 11 kids, eight of whom have special needs.

When Hurricane Beryl hit on July 1, a massive tree fell inside the family’s house. It’s still there over a month later.

The family has been staying with relatives in a two-bedroom home with a half bathroom ever since.

Sanchez called FEMA for help and was originally told they would send a check to cover the damage. But she told KPRC 2 they wouldn’t cover the damages after all.

• Frustrations grow as FEMA check from Hurricane Beryl delays continue

KPRC 2′s Brittany Begley spoke with Sanchez on Tuesday morning, and by Tuesday afternoon FEMA reached out to our newsroom asking for the family’s contact information.

Sanchez said she is relieved that FEMA is taking her case, and that she was given the direct number of an agent.

“We are finally going to get some help,” she shared. “Thank you all at KPRC 2 for taking the time out for our family.”

KPRC 2 is continuing to press FEMA for answers on when you can expect your check.

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.

SEE ALSO:

• Waiting for FEMA check? Here’s how to get help
• Still looking for that FEMA check after Hurricane Beryl? Here’s how to put pressure on your district’s elected officials
• Where’s my check? Here’s how long it takes FEMA to send reimbursements