HOUSTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has offered help to Texans who cannot return to their homes after Hurricane Ike, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.

FEMA will pay for hotels and motels for residents who cannot return to their homes. The agency will pay the bills directly to participating hotels or motels.

Assistance will be available from Sept. 14 until Oct. 14. The program will not reimburse Texans for any hotel or motel expense before Sept. 14.

Residents must apply for assistance through FEMA either at its Web site or by calling its 24-hour hot line at 1-800-621-FEMA.

The agency is receiving a high volume of calls and wait times on the phone can be lengthy. Applicants are advised to call during non-peak hours.

Home inspections do not have to be completed prior to registration.

Evacuees must fit all of the following criteria:

FEMA must be able to verify the identity of the evacuee.
The primary residence of the evacuee must be in one of the counties that has been designated as a disaster area.
The primary residence is inaccessible or unlivable due to damage or a lack of power.

Those who do not meet the above criteria may be eligible for other types of FEMA assistance.

For a list of participating hotels, visit www.FEMAEvacHotels.com.