Feds Authorize Hotel Payments For Some Hurricane Victims
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Feds Authorize Hotel Payments For Some Hurricane Victims
FEMA has authorized hotel payments for some victims of Hurricane Ike, but only for the next month.
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(September 16, 2008)--The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the transitional sheltering program on Tuesday.

FEMA has arranged for some hotel and motel chains to house evacuees.

The agency will be billed directly for the rooms.

Carlos J. Castillo is FEMA's assistant administrator for disaster assistance.

He says Hurricane Ike victims who qualify may stay at a hotel or motel until Oct. 14.

The program is available to evacuees living in shelters.

To qualify, people must have a primary residence in a county included in the disaster declaration.

Their home must be in an inaccessible area or unlivable.

Evacuees must first register with FEMA to see if they can receive the temporary assistance.

Meanwhile emergency food stamps will be available to qualified victims.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced Tuesday the emergency benefits will automatically replace food stamps for Texas participants in the storm's path.

The agency received a federal waiver for low-income people living in 29 counties declared disaster areas.

Eligible Texans can receive up to two months of food stamp benefits by calling 211 or applying at any HHSC benefits office through Oct. 17.

Benefits are put on a Lone Star Card, which is used like a credit or debit card.

The counties are Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington.

HHSC Web Site

Central Texas Needs

Texas Governor’s Office

FEMA

FEMA Disaster Help

Family Registry and Locator System

Red Cross Safe & Well Site

Donate To Texas Responds

Donate To The Red Cross

Donate To The Salvation Army


Latest Comments

Posted by: Terri Location: Galveston on Sep 16, 2008 at 09:29 PM

ONE MONTH IN A HOTEL. GEE THANKS.. YOU STILL HAVE KATRINA PEOPLE IN HOTELS WHAT 3 YEARS LATER.
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