As the new hurricane season approaches, many residents affected by last year’s Hurricane Beryl are still waiting for assistance. Some victims say their applications to FEMA were delayed or denied, leaving them unable to repair damaged homes or recover from extended power outages.
FEMA overwhelmed with applications
FEMA was flooded with applications for assistance after Hurricane Beryl hit in July 2024. The agency asked the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to help process the applications.
According to the HHSC, as of May 28, 2025, FEMA had approved 736,163 applications for “other needs assistance.” Of those, 735,417 have been fully processed.
Houston woman still waiting
Houston resident Elizabeth Hill said FEMA denied her application for home repair and generator reimbursement.
She told reporters that her home has been partially without power since the hurricane hit.
“When the transformer blew, it was all over,” Hill said.
Her home was without power for eight days. Her circuit breaker was broken, forcing her to rely on makeshift measures. Now, extension cords are spread throughout the house to keep appliances running.
“My outlet for the washing machine didn’t work. We had to run the extension cord down the hall,” she explained.
To use the dishwasher, Hill said she had to unplug it and plug it in from another outlet.
She and her daughter even opened the switchboard themselves to remove a broken circuit breaker, fearing it could start a fire.
During the outage, Hill bought a generator. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it would reimburse up to $629 for generators purchased during extended power outages, regardless of whether medical needs were involved.
“This is my generator,” she said, pointing to the generator in her backyard.
Although Hill received some FEMA assistance, her application for generator reimbursement and electrical repairs was denied. She appealed in the fall of 2024 but had not received a response as of March 2025. And Hill filed paperwork and was denied again.
What to do if FEMA denies your application
Legal experts say applicants facing delays or denials can seek legal help.
“We received over 1,500 applications in Beryl’s case alone,” said Clarissa Ayala of Lone Star Legal Aid.
The organization assists low-income disaster victims with FEMA claims and appeals.
“A lawyer can help you file an appeal and gather all the evidence FEMA needs,” Ayala said.
Hill is currently applying for legal aid.
“If I had $2,000 to work on this, I would. But I don’t,” she said.
FEMA Appeal Tips from Legal Experts
Lone Star Legal Aid has advice for those struggling with FEMA denials:
- Most denials are due to a lack of proof of home ownership, especially if the home is inherited.
- If insurance won’t cover repairs, submit an insurance denial letter to FEMA.
- You must prove that your home was rendered unsafe, unsanitary or uninhabitable by storm damage.
- Provide photos of the damage, an estimate of repairs and receipts for any related expenses.
The organization urges anyone who needs help to apply for legal support.
With a new hurricane season on the horizon, victims like Hill want answers and a chance to finally rebuild their homes.
