Hurricane Harvey Assistance

These last few weeks have proven to be difficult for many of you, our clients, and we wanted to answer some questions that you may have.  For some of you, the road to recovery will be a long one, but please know that you and your families are in our thoughts and prayers.

We have worked together to create a guide below to answer some of your questions.  Please know that we are here to help you.  

One thing I am so thankful for, is how we can come together to lend a helping hand to those in need.  

Sincerely,
Kaye E. Gohlke, CPA


Tax Relief Bill

H.R. 3823, the “Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017.”
On September 29, President Trump signed into law P.L. 115-63, the “Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017.” The Act, which had been passed by Congress the day before, provides temporary tax relief to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Read more...

Internal Revenue Service

What is FEMA?

  • FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency. When the President of the United States makes a Declaration of Disaster, which has happened for most areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, FEMA administers disaster relief efforts including providing assistance to individuals and business owners who sustained damage and losses.

Should I apply for assistance?

  • If you have sustained damage or loss because of Hurricane Harvey, you should apply for assistance
  • File for FEMA assistance even if you don't think you need it at this time
  • This can help document your damage in case you later need FEMA help

How do I apply for assistance?

What information do I need to apply for assistance?

  • Social security number
  • Current and pre-disaster addresses
  • Telephone number
  • Insurance information
  • Household income
  • Routing and account number from bank for direct deposit of disaster assistance funds

Which counties have been designated eligible for individuals to receive assistance from FEMA?

FEMA also provides resources for people with disabilities, access and functional needs

Avoiding Home Repair Fraud

Get several bids.

  • Try to get written bids or estimates from at least three different contractors

Check out the contractor.

  • Get the contractor's full name, address and phone number
  • Ask for references and call them
  • Check with the Better Business Bureau and courthouse for criminal history and civil cases against the contractor
  • Be careful when dealing with contractors who have out-of-state license plates

Get it in writing.

  • Get a written contract 
  • Specify the work to be done
  • Specify the price
  • Don't sign anything you don't understand

Control the money.

  • Do not pay for the entire job up front -Try to pay as little as possible up front -It is against the law for contractors in disaster areas to take any money up front unless they have had a local office in your county or one county over for at least one year -Insist on waiting to pay the full amount until after the work is finished
  • You are protected by special rules if the contractor does not have a local office in your county or the next county over
  • Do not make the final payment until you have inspected the work. Make sure you are completely satisfied with the repairs
  • Do not pay in cash

 Report bad contractors to:

Other Resources

Legal aid

Help with price gouging and scams

  • Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-621-0505

GAP Insurance

  • What is GAP Insurance and how can it help? 

Casualty Losses

  • Click here for information regarding deducting casualty losses.

Texas Workforce Commission

  • Any employees who are losing wages can reach out to TWC and explore options around Disaster Unemployment Assistance by clicking the link below or calling the TWC Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 M-F from 8-5.

TWC Disaster Unemployment Assistance