Winter Storm 2021

This page contains information on the following. Click the link to jump to each topic:

Government Response
Help available through federal, state, and local governments.

Apply for Assistance
Information on applying for state and federal financial assistance.

Property Damage
Tips for homeowners and renters on insurance claims and requesting repairs from a landlord.

Utility Bills
Information about spikes in utility bills due to the storm.

Government Response

Federal

FEMA Press Release: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Texas
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a press release on the President's approval of the disaster declaration.
Emergency Declaration - Texas Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586-TX) (2/11/2021)
FEMA's main page for information on the Texas severe winter storm.
Designated Areas: Disaster 4586
A list of the current Texas counties that qualify for federal financial assistance.
Victims of Texas winter storms get deadline extensions and other tax relief
Information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on their announcement that victims of this month's winter storms in Texas will have until June 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

State

Winter Storm 2021 Regulation Changes
Information from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners on the Governor's waivers that allow certain qualified plumber’s apprentices to temporarily perform plumbing repairs, allow certain previously licensed plumbers to reinstate their licenses and waive the continuing education requirement for licenses and registrations expiring through April 2021.
Texas Permits Out-of-State, Expired-License Plumbers to Help Amid High Demand
An article from a Dallas news station on the Governor's announcement that Texas will be giving out provisional licenses to out-of-state plumbers. Those wishing to apply can visit the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' website.
Texas Individual Assistance Reporting Tool
The Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) is asking Texans to fill out this survey in order to help officials across the state gain an understanding of damages that have occurred during the recent winter weather. Texans can also call 844-844-3089 between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM seven days a week to submit their disaster damage information.
SNAP Benefit Replacement
Information from the Department of State Health Services on replacement SNAP benefits. See the Winter Storm Assistance tab for more on which counties are receiving an automatic replacement of benefits and how to apply if you do not live in of those counties.

Local

Below are links to some local government websites that are providing information on their response to the winter weather storm. If your city is not listed, visit their official website for more information.

Apply for Assistance

FEMA Assistance

DisasterAssistance.gov
If you were affected by the winter storms in Texas (and you live in one of the counties that qualifies), you can apply for individual federal disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA states you should select the cause of damage snow/ice amongst other damages that may have occurred. Applicants are required to inform FEMA of all insurance coverage such as flood, homeowners, renter's, etc. The deadline to apply for individual assistance is May 20, 2021.

Those without internet access can call FEMA toll free at 1-800-621-3362 to apply for assistance or check application status. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or who use a Text Telephone can call 800-462-7585. You can also visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in person by looking for the nearest location here.

Who qualifies for FEMA? What does it cover?

Texas Winter Storm Resource – What can FEMA do for me?
An article from Lone Star Legal Aid on just what FEMA can help cover when you apply for their disaster assistance.
How uninsured Texans impacted by winter storm can qualify for FEMA
KXAN provides insurance information for Texans affected by the storm, including the suggestion that uninsured people contact FEMA for federal assistance.

Protect Yourself from Scams

Scam Warning: FEMA warns of fake phone number for Texas winter storm hotel stays
FEMA warns of a scam asking people seeking shelter for personal information like their social security number and income.

Other Forms of Assistance

Federal

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance for Producers Facing Inclement Weather
Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on financial assistance for agricultural producers affected by the winter storm.
Small Business Administration - Disaster Assistance
Information on low-interest disaster loans offered by the Small Business Administration to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.
Other Forms of Assistance - Disaster Relief
Additional disaster relief assistance can be found in this directory on the FEMA website.

State

SNAP Benefit Replacement
Information from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services on SNAP replacement benefits. If you do not live in a county where benefits are being replaced automatically, see the Winter Storm Assistance tab for more on how to apply.

Property Damage

Protecting Your Home

How to shut off your home’s main water line and drain the water from your pipes
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo posted this video on how to find and properly shut off the main water line to a home.
Are your pipes frozen? Here is what you need to do right now
An article from Houston news station KPRC on steps you can take to prevent damage if your pipes are frozen.
Are You Worried About Your Pipes? This Austin Plumber Explains What To Do.
Austin public radio station KUT spoke with a local Austin plumber on what to do if you have a leaking pipe and how to address it.
What to expect once your pipes start to thaw out, steps to take if you have broken pipes
An article from Austin news station KXAN on what you should do if you have water leaks due to burst pipes.

Conducting/Requesting Repairs

Homeowners

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners - Consumer Information
A list of things to consider when selecting a plumber or plumbing contractor.
How to avoid getting ripped off by crooked contractors
An interview from Dallas news station WFAA with a Dallas contractor with tips on how to find a good, reliable contractor and how to avoid scams.
Contracting Home Repairs and Avoiding Scams
An article from Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid with tips on the contracting process and warning signs about scams.
BBB Scam Tracker
A database from the Better Business Bureau where the public can post reports of possible scams or fraud in their area.

Renters

Texas Winter Storm Resource – How to Request Repairs from Landlord
An article from Lone Star Legal Aid on how to request repairs from your landlord.
A Legal Self-Help Guide For Texas Tenants Affected By Natural Disaster [PDF]
A guide for Texas renters that provides basic information as well as basic forms to assist
residential tenants whose homes were damaged by a natural disaster.
Landlord/Tenant Law research guide - Repairs
Check out the Repairs page of our Landlord/Tenant Law research guide to learn more about requesting repairs as a renter.

Insurance Claims

Help after the storm
Resources from the Texas Department of Insurance on how to file an insurance claim, conducting home repairs and protecting yourself from scams.
Your water pipes burst due to the cold weather. Here's what you need to know for insurance claims.
An article from the Houston Chronicle on what both homeowners and renters need to do if they had a pipe burst in their home.
How to submit a homeowners insurance claim
Information from Lone Star Legal Aid on how to submit an insurance claim.

Utility Bills

PUC Emergency actions to protect Texas electricity customers
A press release from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) on the orders they issued to protect Texas consumers from rising utility prices due to the winter storm. These orders temporarily suspend disconnections due to non-payment, reiterate right to deferred payment plans and urges delay in invoicing. To read these orders in their entirety, visit the main page of their website at https://www.puc.texas.gov/.

NOTE: These orders do not apply to utilities that are not regulated by the PUC such as municipally-owned utilities or electric cooperatives.
Electricity Prices during the 2021 Winter Storm
Information from the Public Utility Commission on how electricity prices may be affected due to the winter storm and what they are doing to protect Texas consumers.
Texas officials block electricity providers from sending bills, disconnecting utilities for nonpayment
An article from the Texas Tribune on the Public Utility Commission's recent orders to protect Texas consumers from rising electricity prices due to the winter storm.

Texas State
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Weather Emergencies

Winter Storm 2021

Contents

Government Response

Federal

State

Local

Apply for Assistance

FEMA Assistance

Who qualifies for FEMA? What does it cover?

Protect Yourself from Scams

Other Forms of Assistance

Federal

State

Property Damage

Protecting Your Home

Conducting/Requesting Repairs

Homeowners

Renters

Insurance Claims

Utility Bills