LOCAL DISASTER INFORMATION

During a disaster, United Way 211 is your trusted source for information, updates, and resources.

We provide information on (as appropriate):

• Mass Care Shelters
• Food Services
• Disaster Recovery Centers
• Goods Distribution Sites
• Major Road Closures
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Donation Opportunities, including Money & Material Goods

Make 211 your source of information when you have questions about resources and assistance in any situation.

Seeking Assistance and Organizing Your Finances

When a catastrophe like a hurricane or earthquake happens, your world can be turned upside down. During these tough times, it may be difficult to know who to trust and where to look for guidance and assistance, as well as what financial steps to take as you begin recovering. These are a few organizations that can help immediately after a natural disaster:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  website will help you find up-to-date resources and information.
• The Red Cross can help you find aid and shelters. Local organizations will establish shelters and provide vouchers for meals, clothing and a limited amount of personal goods.
• The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP) can provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a way to access and apply for disaster assistance.

Once your most urgent needs are addressed:

1. Contact your insurance company.
2. Register for assistance.
3. Contact your mortgage servicer.
4. Contact your credit card companies and other lenders.
5. Contact your utility companies.

After contacting the companies related to your most urgent financial needs, take a look at your bills and set priorities-including your mortgage, rent, and insurance payments. Given the countless people experiencing distress from the flooding, contacting your creditors may be difficult. Be persistent and make every effort to reach them.

Additional resources

• Forbearance. Depending upon the type of loan you have, your lender may be willing to temporarily reduce or suspend your payments; this is referred to as forbearance. To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If you have student loans, ask your servicer if you qualify for a temporary forbearance. Federal student loan borrowers may be eligible for up to three months of forbearance.
• Insurance settlement. This quick guide will provide you with some of the basics about how an insurance settlement works. Typically, your mortgage servicer will release a portion of the settlement money before work begins so you can hire a contractor. When the work is halfway finished, the servicer will typically release more money. The rest will be released once the job is finished and the home passes inspection.
• How to choose a contractor. Read our tips to consider when evaluating contractors to help fix or rebuild your home after a disaster.