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Hurricane Harvey 2017

Replacing Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technologies After Harvey

Resources for specific durable medical equipment and assistive technology needs due to Harvey:

  • Need a communication device (AAC/SGD)? Make a request though United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSACC) https://harveyaac.recovers.org/ (log-in required)
  • Need your power wheelchair fixed or replaced? Call the power chair hotline provided by Pride Mobility and Quantum Rehab at (800) 800-4258.
  • Need Autism-related equipment?If you are an individual with Autism or the family member of someone with Autism and have been impacted by Harvey, please complete the form found here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HarveyF2F.

Here are some of the many additional resources that can help replace or repair equipment that was lost or damaged during Hurricane Harvey

If you do not know the name of a health plan, or do not have the health plan’s number available, contact the HHSC managed care helpline to get the survivor’s health plan information at (800) 566-8989.

Durable Medical Equipment Providers

Durable medical equipment providers can work with Harvey survivors to replace or repair lost or damaged equipment.  Below is a list of some of the durable medical equipment providers in the Houston region and their local contact numbers.

Guidance on Emergency Durable Medical Equipment Replacement

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a blanket waiver to suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) where DMEPOS is lost, destroyed, irreparably damaged, or otherwise rendered unusable. Under this waiver, the face-to-face requirement, a new physician’s order, and new medical necessity documentation are not required for replacement.

Suppliers must still include a narrative description on the claim explaining the reason why the equipment must be replaced and are reminded to maintain documentation indicating that the DMEPOS was lost, destroyed, irreparably damaged or otherwise rendered unusable because of the hurricane. For more information, visit:

http://files.constantcontact.com/cc50fd40401/c1fae9ac-43ca-4d20-8baa-cb6eb29cd35e.pdf

Local Durable Medical Equipment Network

The Houston area is home to several non-profits who work to fill durable medical equipment needs, and who have worked together to support Houstonians during Harvey. These organizations are:

 

 

Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Harvey

If you were a victim of Hurricane Harvey, you may qualify for tax relief from the International Revenue Service (IRS).

Who is Eligible?

  • Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area as listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(1).
  • Taxpayers not in the covered disaster area, but whose records necessary to meet a deadline listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c) are in the covered disaster area, are also entitled to relief.
  • Relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief activities in the covered disaster area
  • Individual(s) visiting the covered disaster area who were killed or injured because of the disaster are entitled to relief.

What is Eligible for Extension?

Some deadlines between the time of August 23rd, 2017 and January 31st, 2018 are eligible for extensions.  Taxpayers may be granted additional time to file through January 31st, 2018.

Including:

  • Taxpayers who had a valid extension to file their 2016 return that was due to run out on Oct. 16, 2017.
  • The quarterly estimated income tax payments originally due on Sept. 15, 2017 and Jan. 16, 2018.
  • The quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2017.
  • Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Aug. 23, 2017, and before Sept. 7, 2017, may be abated as long as the deposits were made by Sept. 7, 2017.

How do I get Relief?

  • The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies automatic filing and payment relief.
  • Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief.

What if I receive a penalty or fee for filing late?

  • If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original or extended filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

Other Relief

  • The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Taxpayers should put the assigned Disaster Designation “Texas, Hurricane Harvey.” in red ink at the top of Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, as appropriate, and submit it to the IRS.
  • Affected taxpayers who are contacted by the IRS on a collection or examination matter should explain how the disaster impacts them so that the IRS can provide appropriate consideration to their case.

For More Information

  • Taxpayers may download forms and publications from the official IRS website, irs.gov, or order them by calling 800-829-3676. The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 800-829-1040.

 

See the original news release from the IRS here.

For more information from the IRS about Hurricane Harvey Relief click here.

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic until Sept. 24

San Jose Clinic is providing free medical care to anyone.  You do not have to have been impacted by flooding of Hurricane Harvey.   Everyone is Welcome including persons without insurance, undocumented immigrants, and persons who lost their papers during the flood.

San Jose Clinic also has a free pharmacy for anyone who is in need of medications and refills.

1600 Avenue D.  Rosenberg, TX 77471 

Their hours of operation are:

September 19 through Sept 22 from 8am to 6pm

Sept 24 from 1pm to 6pm

 This clinic is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston through the San Jose Clinic and Project Hope.

 

FEMA Fact Sheet: Harvey Recovery is a Community Effort

In order for an area to recover from a storm like Hurricane Harvey, it takes more than just the government: it takes the whole community.

By working together, Texans can help keep their communities safe and strong.

The whole community includes:

  • Individuals and families, including those with access and functional needs who can contribute to their own recovery in addition to that of their families and neighbors.
  • Citizens who contribute by:
    • Taking time to understand emergency needs of their communities before disaster occurs.
    • Volunteering with established organizations.
    • Taking direction and responding reasonably to alerts, warnings and other public emergency information.
  • Voluntary organizations contribute by:
    • Training and managing volunteer resources.
    • Identifying shelter locations and supplies needed for recovery.
    • Providing goods to those in need such as: cleaning supplies, clothing, food, shelter and post disaster clean-up.
    • Identifying survivors with unmet needs and finding assistance to meet those needs.
  • Businesses and Private Industry contribute by:
    • Providing technical assistance to restore utilities and engineering services to rebuild stronger.
    • Working with emergency management personnel to find out what resources may be needed and how they can help.
    • Providing assistance (including volunteers) to support communities during a disaster and throughout the recovery process.

 

Permit Requirements to Repair and Rebuild after Hurricane Harvey

Some structures that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey may require special permitting before repairs can be made.  If you live in unincorporated Fort Bend County, then Fort Bend County Department of Engineering is responsible for determining your permit requirements.  If you live within the city limits, you need to contact your city’s Floodplain Administrator for information on permit requirements.

 

No Permit Required

For areas in unincorporated Fort Bend County that are outside the flood plain or floodway, permits are not required to make repairs to existing structures, however if you would like an inspection, you may request one.

 

Permit Required

For areas in unincorporated Fort Bend County that are inside the flood plain or floodway, a Damage Assessment inspection is required before repairs can begin (This is different from the FEMA inspection for financial assistance or insurance purposes). If your building is determined to be substantially damaged then you will be required to bring the structure into compliance with the floodplain regulations.

  • This may require elevating your home even as much as 5 to 6 feet.
  • Due to the extensive damage from Hurricane Harvey, damage assessments make take up to 3 weeks to be completed.
  • If the buildings are in the floodway, a structure cannot be repaired until a study is completed (A study will consist of an evaluation of the structures impact on the floodway).
  • The restriction on rebuilding in the floodplain and floodway is a requirement for Fort Bend County to be in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  If Fort Bend County does not enforce these regulations, it could result in all Fort Bend County citizens losing the ability to purchase flood insurance.

 

To find out if your property is in the floodplain or floodway check out the Floodplain Jurisdictional Map from the Fort Bend County Office of Engineering.

For more information on permit requirements visit the Fort Bend County Department of Engineering website  here.