1. The Lifeboat
Disaster Survivors
Step by Step Action Plan To Find Assistance
There are many ways to get assistance within every state and county. The
following steps will explain how to search for assistance you may qualify for
from public agencies and from organizations in your community.
Step 1 – Where do I start?
Call 1-800-745-0243 - The Department of Homeland Security/FEMA to register
for Disaster Assistance http://www.disasterassistance.gov/home/. If you are
displaced or looking for family – contact the National Emergency Locator
Service – 1-800-588-9822. https://egateway.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm
Contact FEMA - and file a claim.
Online Registration:
• http://www.fema.gov/
Phone Registration:
• 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• TTY 1-800-462-7585 (speech & hearing impaired)
To read their Help After Disaster booklet – click below:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf
Contact your Homeowners, Renter, and/or Auto Insurance Companies and file
a claim. If you owned a home – had damage or had to evacuate your home –
immediately contact your homeowner’s insurance company and file a claim.
Some companies may write you a check immediately for “Loss of Use” of your
home and put cash in hand immediately.
Contact your Employer - If you were employed, try to contact the benefits
department of the corporate office of your employer. See if your company offers
compensation to you – some are paying their employees for a period of time.
Also check on your insurance benefits – if your insurance is in effect now and
how long you will have the insurance – and if you can use out of state.
Contact your Health Insurance Company – Confirm that you have health
coverage – let them know where you are staying and if out of state find out what
facilities/doctors you can use – and where you can fill prescriptions.
Contact your Mortgage Company - Call your mortgage company to let them
know you have filed a homeowners insurance claim and ask if payments can be
deferred or added to the end of the mortgage – or if you can pay interest only
payments for a specified time, or if they will spread any past due amounts over
the next few months. FHA & Freddie Mac are deferring payments for 3 months.
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2. The Lifeboat
Contact the Post Office – have your mail forwarded to your current address.
They can deliver mail to shelters.
Contact the Social Security Department - to continue your Social Security
benefits, file for benefits if you have lost a loved one from a disaster, or if you
have critical injuries from a disaster.
Go to website: http://www.ssa.gov/emergency/ or call 1-800-772-1213 from
7AM to 7PM, Monday to Friday:
Missing Children & Parent Links: National Missing Child Locator
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCou
ntry=en_US&PageId=3252
**IMPORTANT** - Ask All Agencies You Contact:
Financial Assistance – Is there any financial assistance available to me and my
family?
Healthcare Options - Are there any healthcare programs that my family
qualifies for or is there any free healthcare in my area?
Employment - What organizations can help me with career counseling and job
placement in my area?
Step 2 – What are my immediate needs? (housing, food, clothing)
Who can help me?
Contact Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/- enter zip code on left side of
webpage and find your local Red Cross office to apply for assistance. Also –
enter the names of your family members for loved ones who may be looking for
you (see right side of webpage). Contact them – they can help with temporary
housing, food, clothing, etc.
Contact United Way - national united way 211
http://national.unitedway.org/aboutuw/ - enter zip code and find your local
United Way office. Contact them – they have lists of agencies that offer
assistance. Also ask them about 2-1-1 websites or phone numbers – many states
have these systems in place and can give you information quickly to find many
types of assistance.
Contact Salvation Army - Survivor Assistance - 1-888-363-2769
http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
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3. The Lifeboat
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Step 3 – Employment & Filing for Unemployment
Contact the Department of Labor in your area – http://www.dol.gov/ - look up
offices in your area or call 1-877-US-2JOBS.
These offices have both Career Assistance – Job Banks – and will help you file for
unemployment. Be sure to check with their Career Center for help with resume
writing, job search, training, and more.
Career Assistance – There are many websites to help you in your search for
employment.
Job Websites
http://www.monster.com/
http://www.ajb.org/
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/
http://www.snagajob.com/default.asp?ref=gjob6
http://www.employmentguide.com/
http://www.careerbuilder.com/
http://www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch.html
Career Advice
http://content.monster.com/
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Step 4 – Apply for public assistance.
File for Public Assistance – check to see which agency (ex: Department of
Family and Children Services, Human Resources, etc.
http://www.hhs.gov/about/index.html#ao) within the county you are staying
handles filing for food stamps, WIC, TANF, and other programs.
Call ahead of time to see if you need an appointment to apply for assistance.
When you apply take the following paperwork (if you don’t have these papers ask if
you can still apply):
***Very important: Take a Picture ID, Social Security card for all people in
household, Green Card/immigration papers
Copy of bills – mortgage, utilities, car payments, insurance, childcare bills, etc.
Proof of income for household (both spouses if married) – pay stubs for at least a
month, child support payments, alimony payments, etc.****
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – Based on very low or no income
for the household
• Food Stamps – You may qualify even if employed – based on total income for
household and expenses
• Childcare Assistance – Based on total income of household (check to see if
your state offers this)
• Medicaid – Insurance for uninsured – based on income. If you do not qualify
for Medicare ask about and state health programs for your children)
• WIC – Food program for children 4 years old and under. For more info:
www.fns.usda.gov/wic
Contact your local Health Department – Some counties require that you apply
for WIC at their health department. You can also call and see what services they
provide – for example: immunizations, hearing screenings, doctor visits, etc.
Administration for Children and Families: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohsepr/ to
find an disaster assistance office in your area.
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5. The Lifeboat
Notes:
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Step 5 - Public Schools/Free School Lunch – you can enroll your children in the
Public Schools within the county you are staying. Speak with a counselor and let
them know your needs – many schools are collecting items for disaster victims.
They also may have information for local organizations that can help you. Be
sure to apply for the School Lunch Program - obtain an application from your
school or cafeteria manager to apply for the free lunch program. If on food
stamps – you automatically qualify for the free lunch program. (Be sure to fill in
your case number on the form to expedite).
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Step 6 – Agencies that Offer Assistance - click the agencies below to find out
what assistance to Disaster Survivors.
• Catholic Charities
• Child Fund Interational
• Food for the Hungry
• Heifer International
• Mercy Corps
• Operation Blessing
• Oxfam America
• Red Cross
• Save the Children
• United Way
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• World Concern
• World Hope International
• World Relief
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Step 7 - Bills
It is very important to contact your creditors and utility companies to let them
know you are a Disaster Survivor and you need to work out arrangements.
Often they will work out partial payment arrangements or put payments onto
the end of your loan giving you some time to get back on your feet.
• Contact your bank concerning any loans you have – and ask if payment can
be deferred or added to the end of the loan – if a grace period can be extended
while you file insurance claims on home and auto.
• Pay your bills with cash on hand – you can get assistance for food easier than
for money.
• Look into a loan on your 401K if necessary.
• If you still owe Taxes – contact the IRS and ask for an extension – they have
setup special arrangements for Disaster Survivors.
• Contact National Foundation for Credit Counseling at 1-800-388-2227 or
http://www.nfcc.org/ - click on Member Agency Locator and find help in
your area – they will work with you and your creditors and work out
payment arrangements.
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7. The Lifeboat
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Last but not least - When going through difficult times – it is important to find
time to relax and to have fun - it can help you keep a positive attitude.
Some great ideas – free or low-cost in any place in the U.S.:
• Look through your paper and find free events in your community – concerts
– art exhibits – parades.
• Contact your Parks and Recreation Department and see if they have any free
activities for families.
• The National Parks Department offers events at parks throughout your
nation. Go to their website for more information:
http://www.nps.gov/parks.html (also check Parks website for your state).
• Pack a picnic and go to a favorite spot outdoors for dinner – enjoy a sunset.
• Go to your local library and check out books and videos. There is no charge
for checking out videos – pop some popcorn and have a movie night!
• Go to your Chamber of Commerce and get a guide to your county – make a
trip to see historic sites.
• Contact local churches and find out what activities they have for your family.
• Go to a local high school ball game –- bring a thermos filled with hot
chocolate to a football game – and feel the enthusiasm!
• A good way to reduce stress – EXERCISE - take a walk – or ride a bike – jog –
swim at a city pool…
• Volunteer – in helping others you will find great reward:
United We Serve - http://www.serve.gov/
• If you are not a member of a church – visit local churches. The messages can
be very inspiring and can really make a difference in your week.
Remember – God loves you – and is there for you during this difficult time.
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to Me
and I will give you rest... rest for your soul.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Disclaimer: This plan does not guarantee service or assistance but serves as a
guide for disaster victims to agencies that may offer assistance.
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