In the aftermath of a natural disaster or emergency, Texas businesses and communities have access to multiple state and federal recovery resources. For those outside of Texas, it's also crucial to check with insurance policy providers and local government entities for additional options. Here is a comprehensive list of resources available to help businesses recover and rebuild:
Recovery Resources for Small Businesses
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
TWC offers numerous resources for employers, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance for the self-employed.
Contact Information: Employer Hotline at (800) 832-9394 (option 4) or (512) 463-2826, or email employerinfo@twc.state.tx.us.
TWC Website
Workforce Solutions Offices
Located around the state, these offices provide resources to both employers and job seekers.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Offers information on filing taxes in the aftermath of a disaster in a declared disaster zone.
Texas Comptroller Website
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Provides disaster loan assistance in the form of low-interest loans and working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
Virtual Business Recovery Center: Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., CT at (800) 659-2955 or FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.sba
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
Lender Match Tool
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Assist businesses with key financial and business planning steps when re-establishing after a disaster.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Help small businesses obtain affordable credit to recover from disasters.
FEMA’s DisasterAssistance.gov
Identifies local, county, and state resources and emergency management agencies for assistance before and after disasters.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Provides information on the most recent tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by disaster situations.
IRS Disaster Relief
Recovery Resources for Texas Local Government & Economic Development Organizations
Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hazard Mitigation Section
Helps set up disaster recovery operations and coordinate planning for post-disaster mitigation programs with local officials.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
FEMA
Offers a guide to grant funds available for pre- and post-emergency or disaster-related projects.
FEMA Grants
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Provides various disaster resources, from housing counseling to mortgage assistance, and partners with federal and state agencies to help implement disaster recovery assistance.
HUD Disaster Resources
U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program
Engages with local governments in targeted outreach to small businesses to ensure they have support to access federal relief programs.
SBA Community Navigator Program
Community Disaster Loan Program
Available to local governments adversely affected by major disasters.
FEMA Community Disaster Loan Program
Additional Support
Total Optim Solutions
We’re here to help. If you need information on any of these resources or just help in general, contact us at Total Optim Solutions
By utilizing these resources and planning ahead, businesses can ensure they are prepared to face any natural disaster, keep their operations running smoothly, and most importantly, safeguard their employees and customers.
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