The Recovery Process (Sequence of Delivery)
How to Use/Access the Internet
Consumer Protection Information
Employment Information (cont.)
Direct Deposit of Assistance Funds into Your Account
FEMA’s Citizenship/Immigration Requirements
Financial Recovery Information
Health and Human Services Information
Mold Removal and Safe Debris Removal Tips
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness
Cleaner, Disinfectant, and Pesticide Awareness
Airborne Asbestos and Lead Dust Avoidance
Veteran’s Administration (VA) Insurance
Replacing Important Records (cont.)
Replacing Important Records (cont.)
Reuniting families and loved ones and their pets.
· Information for veterans receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits
Student Resources Information (cont.)
Federal Personal Casualty or Theft Loss Deductions (Hurricane Katrina Only)
Federal Deadlines for Taxpayers Affected by Hurricane Katrina
For Evacuees with Medical Needs
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Medical Travel Center
Evacuees housed in a shelter, hotel or private home
A Brief Description of Discharge Planners
Appendix A: Common Myths About Federal Disaster Assistance
1. The Federal government has total responsibility for disaster recovery
2. The objective of Federal disaster assistance is to “fix everything”
3. Everyone in the disaster area is eligible to receive Federal disaster assistance
5. Money received for Federal disaster assistance can be used as the recipient thinks best
6. Federal aid replaces the need for insurance
Appendix B: Disaster Recovery Centers and SBA Locations
I. Overview
The purpose of this Assistance Guide is to connect Hurricane survivors with disaster aid. It was created in response to the diverse needs of the evacuee community and provides survivor assistance information. This Guide is designed to inform everyone in need, and those who serve them, on available relief and how to best access that relief.
The Guide lists information on many programs and agencies. Updates and verification are on-going. We will provide additional information on assistance, services, and programs with each edition. This Guide belongs to you, not to its editors.
The Guide is arranged in sections based on needs and the types of services provided. Within each section is a table arranged to show help available nationally and for selected states. Each program’s information includes what they can do for you and how you can contact them.
Voluntary Agencies
The first thing you must do is reach out to local Voluntary Agencies, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army. These organizations may be able to take care of your immediate needs, such as housing in shelters or clothing.
Insurance
Next, you need to contact your personal insurance agency and file a claim. If you do not have insurance, or the amount of your insurance award does not cover your needs, you will then need to contact FEMA and register for assistance at 1-800-621-FEMA (1‑800‑621-3362), 1-800-462-7585 (TTY)or online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA Housing Assistance
After registering with FEMA, they can financially assist you with temporary housing, with repairs to your previous home, or with purchasing a new residence if your old one cannot be made livable again. The types of temporary housing in which you may be placed in are hotels/motels, apartments, mobile homes, and travel trailers.
FEMA/State Other Needs Assistance (ONA) – Non-SBA Dependent
After you register with FEMA, they will also refer you to the FEMA/State ONA program. This covers medical, dental, funeral, and other disaster created expenses.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Income Evaluation (Repayment Capability)
You will now submit an SBA loan application. From this point on, there are two paths your aid can take. If you are approved, you will receive an SBA Referral and a loan to help meet your remaining housing needs.
If you do not qualify for an SBA loan, you will receive FEMA/State ONA Assistance which will cover personal property, transportation, group flood policy, and moving and storage. In order to receive FEMA/State ONA you must have applied for, and been denied, an SBA loan.
Unmet Needs – Voluntary Agencies
We have now gone through all the federal aid available. If you arrive at this point and still have needs the federal process has not been able to address, please contact your local voluntary agencies.
This guide provides internet addresses as well as phone numbers to find information. Using the internet can often be a quicker and more hassle-free way to obtain the assistance you need. This section will cover basic Internet use and where to locate Internet access
Basic Internet Use:
Website Address:
- “Address” or “Location” is the place that it can be found on the Internet.
- May also be known as a “webpage,” “homepage,” or simply a “website.”
- The “Address” is typed in the box found in the top left portion of the screen.
- An example of a box for the “Address” is shown below:
- There will already be some form of address in the box, but you may delete that and type in the address you would like to visit.
Links:
- Quick ways to other web pages that may have similar or related information.
- This is another way for you to move around on the Internet.
- Links are usually printed in a different color than the rest of the text around it: They are typically in blue and underlined- THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE, IT WILL NOT WORK
- By clicking on a link, you should move to another part of the document or site that is related to the information you need.
- If you discover this is not what you wanted, there is a “Back” button at the top of your screen which will take you to the last information you were viewing.
Navigation Icon:
- You will also notice that when your computer is working on a request from you, the picture in the upper right corner moves.
- This means that the computer will soon take you to your destination- do not click on anything while the picture is moving.
Where to locate Internet access:
- Access is available to the public in several places. Access may be found in:
- Your hotel lobby/business center
- The public library (call before traveling to check for free access)
- Internet cafes (cafes typically charge a per-minute fee)
- You may also try to find assistance through the hotel staff.
II. Disaster Assistance
Consumer Protection Information
Who to contact if you suspect you are a victim of fraud.
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Consumer Protection Resources |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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National |
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · Hotline is available from 9 am to 8 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday · If you believe you are the victim of Identity Theft, contact the FTC as well as the three credit unions and your credit card issuer |
1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) (1-877-438-4338) |
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Equifax · If you believe you’ve been the victim of Identity Theft, call to place a Fraud Alert on your file |
1-888-766-0008 |
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Experian · Hotline is available from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday · Priority assistance for hurricane victims · If you believe you’ve been the victim of Identity Theft, call to place a Fraud Alert on your file · Free copies of you credit file |
1-888-397-3742 |
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Transunion · If you believe you’ve been the victim of Identity Theft, call to place a Fraud Alert on your file |
1-800-680-7289 |
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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) · Report information or complaints of public corruption and/or government fraud relative to Hurricane Katrina · Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) |
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Department of Energy · Hotline available 7 am to 12 pm EST, Monday through Friday. · Call the Gas Price Watch hotline if you suspect gas price gouging and/or price fixing |
1-800-244-3301 |
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National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) · Provides information and links to additional flood insurance information. Additionally, the NFIP has a special website for customers: |
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Alabama |
Alabama Attorney General · Hotline available 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
1-800-392-5658 |
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Consumer Protection Resources |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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Arkansas |
Arkansas Attorney General · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
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California |
California Department of Consumer Affairs · File a complaint · Consumer protection and price gauging reporting
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Florida |
Florida Attorney General · Hotline available 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday · Medical fraud control · Consumer protection and price gauging reporting · Identity theft reporting · Consumer fraud alerts · You may also visit their offices at: The Capitol PL-01Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 |
Attorney General’s Office Fraud Hotline: 1-866-966-7229 (in state) 1-850-414-3990 http://myfloridalegal.com/consumer
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Georgia |
Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs |
Then, click on: 1. Legal, Public, Consumer Affairs 2. Consumer Protection 3. Consumer Complaints |
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Louisiana |
Louisiana Attorney General · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
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Louisiana Department of Insurance · Hotline available 7 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday and 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday. · Contact if you are not satisfied with the service (subject to Louisiana law) that you received from your insurance company. · Lodge a complaint against your insurance company · Help locating an insurance company · Mail completed forms, as well as copies of supporting materials, to: Louisiana Department of Insurance, Property and Casualty Consumer Complaints, PO Box 94214, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804 |
For forms: 1-800-259-5301 (in state) 1-225-342-1258 (out of state) |
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Consumer Protection Resources |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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Mississippi |
Mississippi Attorney General · Hotline available 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
Jackson: 1-800-281-4418 Gulfport: 1-228-324-0114 Gulfport: 1-228-518-1326 |
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Mississippi Insurance Department · Hotline available 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday · Contact if you are not satisfied with the service (subject to Mississippi law) that you received from your insurance company. · Mail completed forms, as well as copies of supporting materials, to: Mississippi Insurance Department, Consumer Services Division, PO Box 79, Jackson, MS 39205. · You may also visit their offices in the Woolfolk State Office Building, located at 501 North West Street, 10th floor, Jackson, Mississippi |
For forms: 1-800-562-2957 (in state) 1-601-359-2453 (out of state) |
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Nevada
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Bureau of Consumer Protection |
Las Vegas: 702-486-3194 Carson City: 775-684-1180 |
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Nevada Attorney General · Hotline available 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday · Consumer Protection · Fraud protection services · You may also visit their offices at: Reno: 5420 Kietzke Lane Suite 202, Reno, Nevada 89511 Las Vegas: 555 E. Washington Ave Suite 3900, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 |
Reno Office: 775-688-1800 Las Vegas Office: 702-486-7355 For referral: 1-800-266-8688
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Oklahoma |
Oklahoma Attorney General · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
1-405-521-2029 http://www.oag.state.ok.us/oagweb.nsf/ Then, click on: Consumer Protection |
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Tennessee |
Tennessee Attorney General’s Consumer Affairs Hotline · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
1-800-342-8385 |
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Texas |
Texas Attorney General · Contact the Attorney General’s office to report price gouging and price fixing |
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Texas Department of Insurance · Contact if you are not satisfied with the service (subject to Texas law) that you received from your insurance company · Mail completed forms, as well as copies of supporting materials, to: Texas Department of Insurance, Consumer Protection Program (111-1A), PO Box 149091, Austin, TX 78714-9091 · You can also fax the information to: 1-512-475-1771 |
For forms: 1-800-599-SHOP (1-800-599-7467) [in state] 1-512-305-7211 (out of state) |
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Utah |
Utah Division of Consumer Protection · Hotline available from 8 am to 5 pm, MST · Child protection · Consumer complaint forms.
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Toll free: 1-800-721-7233 http://www.commerce.utah.gov/dcp/
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Finding Jobs
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Finding Jobs |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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National |
Recovery Job Connection · Hotline available 8 m to 8 pm, Monday through Friday · Perform a job search by job category and worker location. · Specific help for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita victims |
1-877-US2JOBS (1-877-872-5627) 1-877-889-5627 (TTY) |
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Employment and Training Administration (ETA) · Unemployment assistance · File claims using links to state sites |
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Job Corps · Hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week · Train for a career or earn your high school diploma or GED at no cost · A Department of Labor service for U.S. or legal residents ages 15-24 |
1-800-733-5627
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Online Employment Job Search through Monster.com · Job-finding services for hurricane survivors, including alerts for job fairs |
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Online job resources for hurricane victims |
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Alabama |
Alabama Job Link · Conduct a job search · Build an on-line resume · Register with Job Service · Receive emails on new job openings |
https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/
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Arkansas |
Arkansas Workforce Centers · Dislocated workers can get help finding new jobs |
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Arkansas JobLink · Conduct a job search · Build an on-line resume · Register with Job Service · Receive emails on new job openings |
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Arkansas Job Bank · Search for jobs nationwide · Create a resume/cover letter |
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Finding Jobs |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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California |
California Employment Development Department · Hotline available 8 am to 5 pm, PST · Search for jobs · Find a local One-Stop career center
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916-654-9029 |
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Florida |
Florida Job Bank · Search for jobs by region · Find a job by visiting a Florida One-Stop-Center near you. |
http://www.floridajobs.org/onestop/onestopdir/index.htm
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Georgia |
Georgia Department of Labor · Hotline available from 8 am to 4:30 CST · Search database for jobs · How to apply for unemployment · Resume building · Interviewing workshops |
1-404-656-6000 |
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Louisiana |
Louisiana Works Department of Labor · Hotline available from 8 am to 4:30 pm CST · Search for jobs in Louisiana over the phone or online |
1-866-310-1585 |
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Find your New Orleans Employer/ Employee · Find directions from your employer on what to do after the hurricane |
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Mississippi |
Mississippi Department for Employment Security · Information for job seekers and unemployment |
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Nevada |
Nevada Job Connect · Search for jobs in Nevada · Post your resume online to been seen by employers that are currently hiring
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http://www.nevadajobconnect.com/
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Hurricane Recovery Job Connection · Search for jobs in Nevada · Post your resume online to been seen by employers that are currently hiring |
http://www.jobsearch.org/hurricanejobs
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Texas |
Texas Work Force Commission · Evacuees from Louisiana, or any other affected state, currently residing in Texas and seeking employment in their home towns, can visit a Texas Work Force Center · Job Counselors are available to provide assistance |
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Unemployment Insurance |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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Utah |
Search jobs through the Utah State Government website for available jobs in the state |
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
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Unemployment Insurance |
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Organization |
Phone Number and Website |
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National |
U.S. Department of Labor · National number to call about unemployment assistance and insurance · Links to state sites for unemployment assistance and insurance help for hurricanes Katrina and Rita |
1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365) Employment Hotline: 1-866-310-1585
www.dol.gov/opa/hurricane-recovery.htm |
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State Unemployment Insurance Information · Links to state websites for insurance information |
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Alabama |
File an Unemployment Insurance Claim with Alabama |
1-866-234-5382 |
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Arkansas |
Arkansas Employment Security Department · Find out how to apply for unemployment benefits through the state. |
http://www.arkansas.gov/esd/WorkersUnempBenefits/AESD_workerunempben.htm
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Arkansas Employment Security Department · Information on the state’s disaster unemployment assistance. · Those who may not qualify for other unemployment insurance, may qualify for disaster assistance under this program |
http://www.arkansas.gov/esd/WorkersUnempBenefits/A_uidua.htm
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California |
California Employment Development Department | |