Employment & Assistance Resources
for Victims of Major Disasters
This page was compiled in 2005 to assist those who were displaced by the many hurricanes that year.
I am continuing it as a more general resource to aid those who may be displaced by storms and other disasters
in the future. Many of the resources and services established in the wake of Katrina and Rita are still being offered
by the organizations who founded them since they have proven to be quite useful.
Or let them know you are safe
- Safe and Well List, American Red Cross
- "If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.
Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of Date”, and the “safe and well” messages selected."
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- If your child is missing, contact your local law enforcement office then contact these people for help. You can also call them at 1-800-THE-LOST.
- Humane Society of the US
- ...they work to rescue the pets many are forced to leave behind, and also work hard to enact legislation and policies to ensure you can bring your pets with you to shelters.
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Federal Resources |
Other Resources and Services
- CareerOneStop
- This site, sponsored by the US Department of Labor, will often post quick links to employment and financial resources available to US citizens affected by disasters.
- DisasterAssistance.gov
- "DisasterAssistance.gov is an easy to use website that consolidates disaster information in one place. Currently, 17 U.S. Government agencies, which sponsor more than 50 forms of disaster assistance, contribute to the website. You can apply for many forms of assistance with a single, online application. Your application information is shared only with those agencies that you identify and is protected by the highest levels of security. Ultimately, DisasterAssistance.gov will speed the application process and allow you to check the progress of your application online." This site is also available in Spanish.
- Information for Victims of Disasters and Emergencies
- ...this section of USA.gov includes information on and links to resources, services, and informative documents all designed to assist you. You can also call 1-800-FED-INFO (333-4636) for information.
- FEMA
- To Apply by Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities.
They suggest calling in the evenings as the phones may be less busy.
- Social Security Administration
- ...how to be sure your benefits reach you, and much more.
- Disaster Preparedness Information from the Small Business
Administration
- "The materials and resources on this Web site can help small businesses make plans to recover from financial losses and business interruption and to protect their employees, the community and the environment."
- Disaster Recovery Services, CareerOneStop
- ..."provides quick access to a range of employment and related resources for individuals and businesses impacted by floods and other recent disasters."
- Tax Relief in Disaster Situations (irs.gov)
- This page offers information on and links to tax information which may affect you if you were in an area hit by a major storm or other disaster.
- Replacing
Your Vital Documents
- ... advice and links to the organizations and agencies you need to contact. Courtesy of USA.gov
- Disaster Financial Issues
- ...several guides to help you regain a sense of financial balance after a disaster, which may
include a major illness or injury to the principle wage earner or a death in the family. These guides are a public service of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), AICPA Foundation,
the American Red Cross, and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).
- If you evacuate on your own, or if you help family and/or friends who evacuate and you/they need assistance....
- ....contact the local offices of charitable organizations for assistance. Many sponsored by religious organizations such as Catholic Charities USA
and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America do not turn away persons of other faiths. Local houses of worship can help you connect to these organizations, and may also be willing to help you and your family at this time of need. Many are just waiting for someone to ask.
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