Assisting the H-GAC Region in the Wake of Hurricane Ike

Workforce Solutions is open for business.  
To locate a career office, go to Career Offices and search by office name, county or your zip code.

We also have staff at the following sites:

• Galveston County – Bacliff – Disaster Recovery Center: VFW Post 8566, 1401 Hwy 646, Bacliff, TX
• Galveston County – Galveston Island – Disaster Recovery Center: Galveston Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77551
• Galveston County – Texas City – Disaster Recovery Center: Mall of the Mainland, 10000 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 13220, Texas City, TX

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Deadline for filing disaster unemployment assistance is
December 12, 2008

To file, visit http://www.texasworkforce.org/news/ikeinfo.html and follow the links to the online unemployment insurance application.  You can also visit any open Workforce Solutions career office, temporary office or disaster recovery site to file online with staff assistance.

When asked on the UI application if your claim is related to a disaster, you need to answer “yes”.

You will need your Social Security number, as well as a copy of your most recent federal income tax form,  or paycheck stubs, or documentation to support you were working or self-employed when Hurricane Ike occurred.  You may have to send TWC required documentation within 21 days from the day you file your application.

Additional ways to file:

• Call TWC’s Tele-Center at 1-800-939-6631 or in Houston 281-983-1100.  Expect significant delays if you call due to high call volumes from throughout the state.
• Email your name, phone number and Disaster-related claim information to UIHelp@twc.state.tx.us. TWC will contact you.
• Employers who have laid off employees can provide separation dates to TWC to speed up the claim process:   866-367-1332 or email at hurricaneike.employer@twc.state.tx.us

Frequently Asked Questions for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Need Workers?

Employers needing workers can contact any one of our open offices or call our Employer Service toll free at 1-888-469-5627 option 4.

FEMA Assistance

You can visit any of the disaster recovery sites listed above or call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 to learn about or apply for assistance.

Food Stamps

You can apply for emergency food stamps at open Texas Health and Human Services Commission offices.  Check the web at http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/index.shtml for locations nearest you.

United Way of Greater Houston

“After the Storm” http://unitedwayhouston.org/default/pdfs/after-the-storm.pdf

U. S. Small Business Administration

Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance in the form of a loan from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).


What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?

• Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles.
• Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) – Are working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

EIDL assistance is available only to entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).


How Do I Get More Information on SBA Disaster Assistance?

• To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, victims should first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-3362.
• Contact the SBA directly about TX Hurricane Ike Disaster Declaration 11430 through 1-800-659-2955 8am-9pm EDT Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm EDT Sat & Sun.
•  Or send email

Application Filing Deadlines:

• Physical Damage November 12, 2008
• Economic Injury June 15, 2009

For more information about the Small Business Administration and Disaster Assistance, go to www.sba.gov.