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October 2, 2006
Evacuee recertification workshops set for October 12-13; legal aid in Galveston
(Houston) – Evacuees will find help for continued rental aid and fresh employment opportunities at the expanded Recertification Workshops to be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13 at downtown’s George R. Brown Convention Center.
The city’s Joint Hurricane Housing Task Force is hosting the back-to-back sessions to assist evacuees in applying with FEMA to be recertified for extended rental benefits through next February. All evacuees who have not filed applications with FEMA are urged to attend the event. Those who do not promptly apply for recertification will lose their housing aid on October 31.
FEMA and its housing contractor, Corporate Lodging Consultants (CLC), have started notifying landlords that benefits will be cut off at the end of this month for evacuee families who have not been recertified for the extended aid.
Despite the notices, those households are still eligible to apply for the continued rental assistance. But they must submit their applications and supporting documents to FEMA before October 31.
The first three workshops in September have enabled more than 2,000 evacuee families to file new applications for assistance. Figures were being compiled on the results of an October 2 workshop.
The Task Force scheduled the consecutive October 12 and 13 workshops at the George R. Brown Convention Center to ensure that all remaining evacuees can apply to keep their housing aid through next February. They should bring copies of the required documents, such as FEMA voucher numbers, pre-hurricane and current rent receipts, and other records.
These workshops will also feature fresh help for evacuees in the search for work and job training opportunities.
Attendees will have access, or referrals, to expertise in preparing and copying resumes, polishing interview skills, posting resumes online and applying for job openings or career training, and related assistance in securing work.
Also, Lone Star Legal Aid will hold free legal clinics this week at two locations in Galveston County to assist survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with FEMA, insurance, or other storm related issues.
The clinics will be held from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm at:
Thursday 10/5- LaMarque: Wayne Johnson Community Center 4102 FM 519
Friday 10/6- Dickinson: Dickinson Community Center 2714 Hwy 3
People who want to speak to an attorney at one of the clinics should call our Hurricane Hot Line at 800.568.3857 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, but will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
People with non-hurricane legal issues should contact our local office at 409.763.0381 to make an application for services.
Posted by Cay Dickson at October 2, 2006 6:53 PM