Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) are aware of Hurricane Harvey’s shocking and pervasive effects, as the storm ravaged the Texas coast over the weekend and caused significant flooding and damage to inland cities as well.
While we do not have any information on how TRTA have been affected by the storm so far, TRTA wants to remind members of valuable resources and aid that may be available to them.
Texas Retired Teachers Foundation
Many of our members already know about TRTA’s charitable partner organization, the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF).
In 2013, after an explosion damaged homes, schools, and vehicles in West, Texas, TRTA members came together to donate more than $41,000 to TRTF to provide emergency assistance to retirees and pre-retirees through the well-known “A Helping Hand” program. The program provides grants to retirees and pre-retirees who are eligible to receive an annuity from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
Now, with Hurricane Harvey’s devastation, many TRS annuitants will experience significant damage to their homes and vehicles and may even be struggling to meet daily needs. Teachers in affected areas may be starting the school year without classroom supplies for their students or may have lost valuable education resources.
TRTF is asking members to please consider making a donation to the Foundation to help us provide assistance to educators for both immediate and long-term financial needs as a result of this catastrophic storm. Your donation could help provide someone in need with food and water, pay for a hotel stay, assist with paying for homeowner’s insurance deductibles, or repair damage to homes, vehicles, or classrooms.
To make a donation online, please click here. Donations can also be mailed to TRTF, 313 E. 12th Street Ste. 220, Austin, TX 78701. Your unrestricted donation means TRTF can direct the funds to go where they will do the most good and meet the most need.
If you or someone you know is in need of emergency financial assistance as a result of Hurricane Harvey, please send your request to help@trtf.org or call 1.800.880.1650 and leave your name and mailing address with Associate Director Cindee Sharp.
If you know friends or family who may be interested in donating to TRTF to help educators, please forward this email to them. TRTF will focus relief efforts on retired and active school employees and the public education community.
Prescriptions through TRS
Members impacted by Hurricane Harvey may be able to fill their prescriptions early through CVS Caremark and Express Scripts. Both CVS Caremark and Express Scripts have activated processes that allow one-time emergency refills of medications for plan participants in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
If you’re in an affected area, and you have questions about how to access prescriptions, please contact your pharmacy benefit manager:
- Active employees: CVS Caremark 1-800-222-9205
- Retirees: Express Scripts 1-877-680-4881
Federal Assistance Resources
Many counties in the path of Hurricane Harvey have been declared disaster areas, allowing residents to qualify for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Governor Greg Abbott has added 54 counties to his state disaster declaration.
The quickest way to receive FEMA assistance is to register online at www.DisasterAssistance.com. If you don’t have Internet access, you may register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
Thank You
Thank you for your membership to TRTA. Our hearts go out to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
If you know a retiree who is not yet a member of TRTA, please encourage them to join.
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