Navigating Federal Disaster Assistance Eligibility and Special Accommodations: The Case of Hurricane Harvey
Abstract
Persons with disabilities may face longer disaster recovery trajectories, despite federal mandates for equal access and reasonable accommodations in disaster recovery services. The longer recovery trajectories for persons with disabilities may be mitigated with better access to federal disaster assistance. This study evaluated whether disaster assistance applicants with special accommodations requests were more likely to experience denials in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance eligibility after Hurricane Harvey. The author relied on FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) registrant data. The analysis found that applicants requesting special accommodations were less likely to be denied eligibility than nonrequesting applicants, controlling for storm damage, income, and flood insurance [odds ratio (OR) 0.57; 95% ]. However, communities with a higher prevalence of total disabilities had a slight but statistically lower probability of special accommodations requests as a proportion of total FEMA applications. At the zip code level, a 1% increase in US Census total disability was associated with a 0.11% decrease in the percent of special accommodation requests, holding factors such as levels of Harvey-related damage, poverty, population density, and race/ethnicity constant (; ).
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The public use data available is the FEMA (n.d.) Individual Assistance Housing Registrant Large Disasters data set.
References
Abramson, D., T. Stehling-Ariza, Y. Park, L. Walsh, and D. Culp. 2010. “Measuring individual disaster recovery: A socioecological framework.” Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 4 (S1): S46–S54. https://doi.org/10.1001/dmp.2010.14.
Adams, V., S. R. Kaufman, T. van Hattum, and S. Moody. 2011. “Aging disaster: Mortality, vulnerability, and long-term recovery among Katrina survivors.” Med. Anthropol. 30 (3): 247–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/01459740.2011.560777.
ADA-PARC. 2017. “Percentage of people with disabilities living at home, 2012 to 16.” Accessed November 19, 2021. https://www.centerondisability.org/ada_parc/utils/indicators.php?id=2.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 1990. “Pub. L. No. 101–336, 104 Stat. 328.” Accessed July 26, 1990. https://winapps.umt.edu/winapps/media2/wilderness/NWPS/documents/publiclaws/101-336.pdf.
Billings, S. B., E. A. Gallagher, and L. Ricketts. 2022. “Let the rich be flooded: The distribution of financial aid and distress after hurricane harvey.” J. Financ. Econ. 146 (2): 797–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.11.006.
Blake, E., and D. Zelinsky. 2018. National Hurricane Center tropical cyclone report Hurricane Harvey. No. AL092017. Washington, DC: National Hurricane Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Bozick, R. 2021. “The effects of Hurricane Harvey on the physical and mental health of adults in Houston.” Health Place 72 (Nov): 102697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102697.
Burger, J., M. Gochfeld, T. Pittfield, and C. Jeitner. 2017. “Responses of a vulnerable Hispanic population in New Jersey to Hurricane Sandy: Access to care, medical needs, concerns, and ecological ratings.” J. Toxicol. Environ. Health Part A 80 (6): 315–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2017.1297275.
Carrel, M., G. S. Clore, S. Kim, M. V. Sarrazin, E. Tate, E. N. Perencevich, and M. Goto. 2021. “Health care utilization among Texas Veterans Health Administration enrollees before and after Hurricane Harvey, 2016-2018.” JAMA Network Open 4 (12): e2138535. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.38535.
Chakraborty, J., S. E. Grineski, and T. W. Collins. 2019. “Hurricane Harvey and people with disabilities: Disproportionate exposure to flooding in Houston, Texas.” Soc. Sci. Med. 226 (Apr): 176–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.02.039.
Chang, H., et al. 2021. “Assessment of urban flood vulnerability using the social-ecological-technological systems framework in six US cities.” Sustainable Cities Soc. 68 (May): 102786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.102786.
Davis, E., and B. Phillips. 2009. Effective emergency management: Making improvements for communities and people with disabilities. Washington, DC: National Council on Disability.
Deryugina, T., L. Kawano, and S. Levitt. 2018. “The economic impact of Hurricane Katrina on its victims: Evidence from individual tax returns.” Am. Econ. J. Appl. Econ. 10 (2): 202–233. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20160307.
DOJ (Department of Justice). 2022. “Improving access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. Executive Order 13166.” Accessed May 15, 2022. https://www.justice.gov/crt/executive-order-13166.
Drakes, O., E. Tate, J. Rainey, and S. Brody. 2021. “Social vulnerability and short-term disaster assistance in the United States.” J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 53 (Feb): 102010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.102010.
Ducy, E. M., and L. M. Stough. 2021. “Psychological effects of the 2017 California wildfires on children and youth with disabilities.” Res. Dev. Disabil. 114 (Jul): 103981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103981.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2014. “Preparedness in America: Research insights to increase individual, organizational, and community action.” Accessed May 1, 2022. https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=764015.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2016. Individuals and households program unified guidance (IHPUG). Washington, DC: FEMA.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2017a. “Disaster assistance registration.” Accessed May 1, 2022. https://omb.report/icr/202103-1660-006/doc/110057800.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2017b. FEMA FACT sheet: Transitional shelter assistance. Washington, DC: FEMA.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2020a. Fact sheet: Individuals and households program. Washington, DC: FEMA.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2020b. “Language access plan.” Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_language-access-plan_12-2020.pdf.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2021. “Individual assistance program and policy guide (IAPPG).” Accessed May 12, 2022. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_iappg-1.1.pdf.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2022. “Disaster assistance registration.” Accessed May 16, 2022. https://omb.report/icr/202201-1660-005/doc/118183700.
Flores, A. B., T. W. Collins, S. E. Grineski, and J. Chakraborty. 2020. “Disparities in health effects and access to health care among Houston area residents after Hurricane Harvey.” Public Health Rep. 135 (4): 511–523. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354920930133.
Fox, M., G. White, C. Rooney, and A. Cahill. 2010. “The psychosocial impact of Hurricane Katrina on persons with disabilities and independent living center staff living on the American Gulf Coast.” Rehabil. Psychol. 55 (3): 231–240. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020321.
Gallagher, J., and D. Hartley. 2017. “Household finance after a natural disaster: The case of Hurricane Katrina.” Am. Econ. J. Appl. Econ. 9 (3): 199–228. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20140273.
Gallagher, J., D. Hartley, and S. M. Rohlin. 2019. Weathering an unexpected financial shock: The role of cash grants on household finance and business survival. Chicago: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
GAO (Government Accountability Office). 2019. Disaster assistance: FEMA action needed to better support individuals who are older or have disabilities. Washington, DC: GAO.
Gershon, R. R., E. Portacolone, E. M. Nwankwo, Q. Zhi, K. A. Qureshi, and V. H. Raveis. 2017. “Psychosocial influences on disaster preparedness in San Francisco recipients of home care.” J. Urban Health 94 (5): 606–618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-016-0104-3.
Griego, A. L., A. B. Flores, T. W. Collins, and S. E. Grineski. 2020. “Social vulnerability, disaster assistance, and recovery: A population-based study of Hurricane Harvey in greater Houston, Texas.” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 51 (Dec): 101766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101766.
Harrell, F. E. 2015. Regression modeling strategies: With applications to linear models, logistic regression, and survival analysis. 2nd ed. New York: Springer.
Hemingway, L., and M. Priestley. 2006. “Natural hazards, human vulnerability and disabling societies: A disaster for disabled people?” Rev. Disabil. Stud. 2 (3): 57–67.
Kailes, J. I., and A. Enders. 2007. “Moving beyond ‘special needs’: A function-based framework for emergency management and planning.” J. Disabil. Policy Stud. 17 (4): 230–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/10442073070170040601.
Kleinbaum, D. G., L. L. Kupper, A. Nizam, and E. S. Rosenberg. 2013. Applied regression analysis and other multivariable methods. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Kruger, J., C. F. Hinton, L. B. Sinclair, and B. Silverman. 2018. “Enhancing individual and community disaster preparedness: Individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.” Disabil. Health J. 11 (2): 170–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.12.005.
Lee, D., and J. Jung. 2014. “The growth of low-income population in floodplains: A case study of Austin, TX.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 18 (2): 683–693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-0205-z.
Lieberknecht, K., D. Zoll, J. Jiao, and K. Castles. 2021. “Hurricane Harvey: Equal opportunity storm or disparate disaster?” Local Environ. 26 (2): 216–238. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2021.1886063.
Long, J., and J. Freese. 2014. Regression models for categorical dependent variables using Stata. 3rd ed. College Station, TX: Stata Press.
Malmin, N. 2021. “The weight of administrative burden: The distributive consequences of federal disaster assistance on recovery after Hurricane Harvey.” Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. of Public Management and Policy, Georgia State Univ. and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Martín, C., and D. Teles. 2018. “Problems with damage assessments can keep disaster victims from receiving the help they need.” Accessed November 13, 2021. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/problems-damage-assessments-can-keep-disaster-victims-receiving-help-they-need.
Massarra, C. 2012. “Hurricane damage assessment process for residential buildings.” Ph.D. thesis, Engineering Science (Interdepartmental Program), Louisiana State Univ.
McDermott, S., K. Martin, and J. D. Gardner. 2016. “Disaster response for people with disability.” Disabil. Health J. 9 (2): 183–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2015.12.005.
McIntosh, M. F. 2008. “Measuring the labor market impacts of Hurricane Katrina migration: Evidence from Houston, Texas.” Am. Econ. Rev. 98 (2): 54–57. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.98.2.54.
NWS (National Weather Service). 2017 Hurricane Harvey and its impacts on southeast Texas August 25–29, 2017. Washington, DC: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
OpenFEMA. 2020. “Federal emergency management agency.” Accessed November 22, 2021. https://www.fema.gov/openfema-dataset-individual-assistance-housing-registrants-large-disasters-v1.
Rivera, J. D. 2020. “Returning to normalcy in the short term: A preliminary examination of recovery from Hurricane Harvey among individuals with home damage.” Disasters 44 (3): 548–568. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12387.
Sacerdote, B. 2012. “When the saints go marching out: Long-term outcomes for student evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.” Am. Econ. J. Appl. Econ. 4 (1): 109–135. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.4.1.109.
Stough, L. M., A. N. Sharp, J. A. Resch, C. Decker, and N. Wilker. 2016. “Barriers to the long-term recovery of individuals with disabilities following a disaster.” Disasters 40 (3): 387–410. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12161.
Tate, E., M. A. Rahman, C. T. Emrich, and C. C. Sampson. 2021. “Flood exposure and social vulnerability in the United States.” Nat. Hazard. 106 (1): 435–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-04470-2.
The Storm after the Storm. 2017. “In 60 minutes. CBS all access.” Accessed March 6, 2020. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-sandy-60-minutes-fraud-investigation-3/.
US Census Bureau. 2017. “2012–2016 American community survey 5-year public use microdata samples Microdata Samples [SAS Data file].” Accessed August 11, 2022. https://data.census.gov/.
USGS. 2020. “USGS flood event viewer: Providing hurricane and flood response data.” Accessed July 5, 2020. https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/usgs-flood-event-viewer-providing-hurricane-and-flood-response?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.
Van Willigen, M., T. Edwards, B. Edwards, and S. Hessee. 2002. “Riding out the storm: Experiences of the physically disabled during Hurricanes Bonnie, Dennis, and Floyd.” Nat. Hazard. Rev. 3 (3): 98–106. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2002)3:3(98).
Willams, W., et al. 2005. “Surveillance for illness and injury after Hurricane Katrina—New Orleans, Louisiana, September 8–25, 2005.” JAMA 294 (22): 2837–2839. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.294.22.2837.
Wooldridge, J. 2006. Introductory econometrics: A modern approach. 3rd ed. Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Natural Hazards Review
Volume 24 • Issue 2 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 22, 2021
Accepted: Oct 5, 2022
Published online: Dec 20, 2022
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: May 20, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Natasha P. Malmin, David Eisenman, Disability Prevalence and Community-Level Allocation of Hurricane Harvey Federal Disaster Recovery Assistance in Texas, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 10.1177/10442073221150609, (104420732211506), (2023).