Were you affected by the February Winter Storm and have damages?
Here is some helpful information.
Texas Individual Assistance Reporting Tool
Federal Assistance
If you live in one of the 108 counties* designated for assistance and your home is not safe, sanitary, or livable due to damage from the severe winter storms, here’s what you need to know:
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If uninsured, apply for assistance
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If you have insurance, file a claim with them first & then you may apply to FEMA. We can’t duplicate benefits if you received insurance from your provider first. FEMA does not cover insurance
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The fastest way to apply for disaster assistance is at: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
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There’s no wait — and it’s available 24/7.
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Apply if you don’t have insurance and you suffered damages from the winter storms in one of the designated counties*.
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If it’s not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 8 m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
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Many of our residents have applied for FEMA assistance. Unfortunately, our role in this process is mostly limited to facilitating the application process. Neither the City nor the State can establish eligibility criteria, change final assistance decisions made by FEMA, or make any other changes to federal assistance for our residents.
If a resident disagrees with FEMA’s decision, they should submit an appeal. The following link can be provided for more information about the appeal process: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/after-applying/appeals
Residents can also be directed to call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 or email FEMA-ContactUs@fema.dhs.gov.
US Small Business Administration Virtual Recovery Center Open Feb. 23rd
Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955
State and Local Assistance
Click on any area to be directed to their website for more information
Texas Attorney General’s Office – When a natural or man-made emergency strikes, Texans generally support each other to overcome adversity. But unscrupulous individuals will try to take advantage of tragedy. Be on the lookout for price gouging, flood-damaged vehicles and other post-emergency scams that may arise.
Don’t be scammed! State and federal recovery officials urge disaster survivors to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud. Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, through the internet, or in person. Remember:
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Don’t wire money or pay with reloadable debit cards or gift
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Don’t offer personal financial information over the phone. Know who you are dealing with and always ask for
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In Texas, contractors are required to provide a Notice of Cancelation — which gives you the right to change your mind within three business days — if the transaction occurs in your
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Get the agreement in writing. Read the contract carefully, and never sign a contract with blank spaces to be filled
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Price gouging is illegal, and the Office of the Attorney General has authority to prosecute any business that engages in price gouging after a disaster has been declared by the governor or president. Texans in affected counties who believe they have encountered price gouging should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online at
Texas Department of Insurance Winter Storm Resource Page
Texas Public Utilities Commission is suspending electricity disconnections due to non-payments
File a Utility Complaint with Public Utilities Commission of Texas
Residents can contact 2-1-1 Texas, the state’ s free 24-hour helpline.
No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 or visit https://www.211texas.org/ for community resources.
City of Rowlett Public Assistance:
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The City of Rowlett Utility Billing Department will adjust 100% of the abnormal usage on water and sewage services who experienced burst water pipes in their homes.
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All utility bill late penalties will be suspended until March 17.
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If you have questions, you can call the City of Rowlett Action Center on weekdays between the hours of 7:00am-5:00pm at 972-412-6100.