Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 418.022. Aid for Individuals

(a) On the governor's determination that financial assistance is essential to meet disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by a major disaster that cannot be otherwise adequately met from other means of assistance, the governor may accept a grant by the federal government to fund the financial assistance, subject to the terms and conditions imposed on the grant. The governor may agree with the federal government or any officer or agency of the United States pledging the state to participate in funding not more than 25 percent of the financial assistance.

(b) The governor may make financial grants to meet disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals or families adversely affected by a major disaster that cannot otherwise adequately be met from other means of assistance. The grants may not exceed an aggregate amount in excess of that established by federal statute for an individual or family in any single major disaster declared by the president of the United States.

(c) The governor may designate in the state emergency management plan the Department of Human Services or another state agency to carry out the functions of providing financial aid to individuals or families qualified for disaster relief. The designated agency may employ temporary personnel for those functions to be paid from funds appropriated to the agency, from federal funds, or from the disaster contingency fund. The merit system does not apply to the temporary positions. The governor may allocate funds appropriated under this chapter to implement the purposes of this chapter.