HOUSTON — For many people, it’s been too long without power and businesses and employees don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills this month.
But, they’re hopeful resources can help them and their employees can pull through.
It’s been 10 days without work, but now that the power has been restored, Guillermo Camarena and his staff at Kekas Locas & More are happy to be back.
"Mi cara lo dice todo contentos gracias a Dios," said Camarena.
He said his face says it all, they’re happy to be back working. That’s the case for many employees who missed out.
"No una semana para mi es mucho. Estoy sola pago renta luz gas basura y nadamas tengo este trabjao," said Maria Alvarez, an employee at the restaurant.
Maria Alvarez said a week without pay is very hard. She doesn’t know how she is going to pay rent and other bills because she only has one job. But she isn’t alone.
Dandelion Café owner Sarah Lieberman was closed for 10 days. She knows her staff of 26 at the Bellaire location are going to feel the pinch.
"It has to be terrible. We have a lot of single moms. A lot of people paycheck to paycheck. Knowing our staff is struggling," said Sarah Lieberman.
Fortunately, there is some help, the Texas Workforce Commission announced they’re receiving federal funds to provide disaster unemployment assistance for all employees in any field who missed work.
"Someone impacted directly by the disaster. In this case, whether it's flooding power outages someone not being able to get to work for these benefits," said Sarah Fischer with the Texas Workforce Commission.
The Texas Restaurant Association also told KHOU 11 News they have a partnership with a nonprofit to help those who also lost their wages.
"Any employee affected by a natural disaster can reach out to Southern Smoke and apply for assistance through them," said Christina J. Garavaglia, the executive director of Southeast Texas.
"Every little bit helps us," said Lieberman.
Employees hope to fill in those gaps to make ends meet this month
"Seria espectacular que el gobierno nos apoyara para seguir la vida normal. Para no atrasarnos en los biles el gas y no espera para seguir y pagar," said Alvarez.
Alvarez said it would be spectacular to get the help to ensure she doesn’t fall behind with her bills.
"Tenemos que sobrevivir, tenemos que nos tenemos que levantar," said Camarena.
They’re going to do everything they can to survive and get back up again.
For disaster unemployment assistance, you can apply at your local Workforce Solutions office. The application is in Spanish or English. You can apply online here.
The Small Business Administration is also offering a loan. For that information, you can visit their location in Galveston:
Business Recovery Center
The Marmo Plaza
Vision Galveston
2121 Market St.(Link is external)
Galveston, TX 77550(Link is external)
Opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 17
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. -6 p.m.
and Saturdays beginning July 27
Saturdays, 9 a.m. -4 p.m.