Resources
- Texas Ready, from the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Ready.gov, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- DisasterAssistance.gov, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Texas Hurricane Center, from the Office of the Texas Governor
- The American Red Cross
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- List of Declared Disasters, from the Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Disaster Education Network, from Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension
- Houston Responds
- Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
How FEMA Can Help
FEMA provides many go-to resources specifically developed for faith-based organizations, which you can learn more about here.
In addition, many important resources about disasters and emergency management come from local officials and community leaders. Find out whom to go to here based on your location. FEMA also provides a free training course to help manage impact to facilities through the Organizations Preparing to meet Emergency Needs (OPEN) program.
General planning resources are available here, and information regarding specific hazards is here.
One form of disaster assistance is available to impacted communities within 60 days of the Presidential Disaster Declaration. See FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit for instructions on applying, a list of documents needed (which can be organized before disaster strikes), and a list of additional resources that may be beneficial to a congregation during a disaster.
- Take photos of your damaged home and belongings
- Make a list of damaged or lost items
- File a claim with your insurance company. FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance. If you do not have insurance, skip to step 4.
- Three ways to apply
- Online disasterassistance.gov
- Through the FEMA app
- Call: (800) 621-3362; TTY (800) 462-7585; VRS (800) 621–3362
- Proof of identification
- If lost or damaged, visit usa.gov/replace-vital-documents for assistance
- Insurance determination letter
- Proof of occupancy or ownership
You can also follow up on the application through FEMA’s website. If the request is denied, here’s how to appeal.
- https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-answers-appeals-process-qa
- Must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the award or denial letter from FEMA
- Ways to submit
- Online: Disasterassistance.gov
- By Fax: 800-827-8112 (Attention FEMA)
- By Mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Often, applicants need only submit extra documents for FEMA to process their application.
Also, FEMA has partnered with the American Bar Association to provide pro bono legal services to help navigate the appeal process. Find out more about this resource here. If any important documents have been lost or damaged in the disaster, FEMA also helps with replacing vital documents.
As another option, houses of worship may apply for Public Assistance Programs as a Private Non-Profit organization for recovery assistance after a disaster. Those that provide essential social services (as defined in the Stafford Act) are eligible to be a Sub-Applicant and in collaboration with state or local governments, which act as the Primary Applicant. Determine state contact through https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts. For more information on this resource, click here and here.
FEMA also offers Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, which provide a longer window for the application period than the Disaster Assistance program. More information can be found here. You can also check on currently available mitigation funding, to find out if any may apply to your area or congregation.
Image credit: Photo courtesy of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.
Resources
- Texas Ready, from the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Ready.gov, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- DisasterAssistance.gov, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Texas Hurricane Center, from the Office of the Texas Governor
- The American Red Cross
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- List of Declared Disasters, from the Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Disaster Education Network, from Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension
- Houston Responds
- Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
How FEMA Can Help
FEMA provides many go-to resources specifically developed for faith-based organizations, which you can learn more about here.
In addition, many important resources about disasters and emergency management come from local officials and community leaders. Find out whom to go to here based on your location. FEMA also provides a free training course to help manage impact to facilities through the Organizations Preparing to meet Emergency Needs (OPEN) program.
General planning resources are available here, and information regarding specific hazards is here.
One form of disaster assistance is available to impacted communities within 60 days of the Presidential Disaster Declaration. See FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit for instructions on applying, a list of documents needed (which can be organized before disaster strikes), and a list of additional resources that may be beneficial to a congregation during a disaster.
- Take photos of your damaged home and belongings
- Make a list of damaged or lost items
- File a claim with your insurance company. FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance. If you do not have insurance, skip to step 4.
- Three ways to apply
- Online disasterassistance.gov
- Through the FEMA app
- Call: (800) 621-3362; TTY (800) 462-7585; VRS (800) 621–3362
- Proof of identification
- If lost or damaged, visit usa.gov/replace-vital-documents for assistance
- Insurance determination letter
- Proof of occupancy or ownership
You can also follow up on the application through FEMA’s website. If the request is denied, here’s how to appeal.
- https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-answers-appeals-process-qa
- Must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the award or denial letter from FEMA
- Ways to submit
- Online: Disasterassistance.gov
- By Fax: 800-827-8112 (Attention FEMA)
- By Mail: FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
Often, applicants need only submit extra documents for FEMA to process their application.
Also, FEMA has partnered with the American Bar Association to provide pro bono legal services to help navigate the appeal process. Find out more about this resource here. If any important documents have been lost or damaged in the disaster, FEMA also helps with replacing vital documents.
As another option, houses of worship may apply for Public Assistance Programs as a Private Non-Profit organization for recovery assistance after a disaster. Those that provide essential social services (as defined in the Stafford Act) are eligible to be a Sub-Applicant and in collaboration with state or local governments, which act as the Primary Applicant. Determine state contact through https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/state-contacts. For more information on this resource, click here and here.
FEMA also offers Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, which provide a longer window for the application period than the Disaster Assistance program. More information can be found here. You can also check on currently available mitigation funding, to find out if any may apply to your area or congregation.