Disaster Assistance Resources

DISASTER RECOVERY JOBS PORTAL 

Those seeking information or assistance for employment opportunities and employment related support services visit: https://disasterrecovery.employflorida.com/vosnet/Default.aspx

APPLYING FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE

If you are in need of assistance from a national disaster, you may apply for benefits by contacting FEMA at: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1 -800-462-7585.

FIND OR REUNITE WITH LOVED ONES

The Safe and Well Registry run by the American Red Cross helps those affected by disasters and their loved ones check in with one another. The site is available in both English and Spanish. To register as safe text SAFE to 78876 or register directly on the American Red Cross website at: www.redcross.org/safeandwell.

To search the registry for your loved ones, use the search feature of the Red Cross website:www.redcross.org/safeandwell. To speak with a representative about a missing relative with a health condition call: 1-800-RED-CROSS     (1-800-733-2767)

HELP FOR VETERANS

Veterans in need of assistance or in need of their medication can contact the Veteran Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571 or go to any VA medical facility for assistance.

Veterans in need of assistance may call a 24/7 patient and family hotline at 1-800-449-8729 ext. 19400. For prescription drug refills the VA has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan. Veterans needing emergency supply of medications can go to any retail pharmacy open to the public with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle to receive a 30-day supply.

MENTAL HEALTH

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress please call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. You may also visit: http://bit.ly/2vH2Huc for more information about managing stress after a disaster and talking with children about traumatic events.

TAX RELIEF

Taxpayers in affected areas may be eligible for tax relief from the IRS. To learn more about IRS assistance for victims of Hurricane Maria visit: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/help-for-victims-of-hurricanes-irma-and-maria.

DISASTER RECOVERY LOANS

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing various disaster loans to qualifying Americans. For more information about SBA disaster loans visit: Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (sba.gov)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides loans to qualifying individuals, businesses, and communities after disasters. For more information visit: Disaster Resource Center | USDA.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Those who are unemployed as a result of the disaster, and who are ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance, are encouraged to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the U.S. Department of Labor. For additional information about DUA visit: Disaster Recovery Assistance | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov) or contact the U.S. Department of Labor by phone at 1-866-487-2365.

MORTGAGE RELIEF

To find out if you qualify for temporary mortgage relief such as a suspension of mortgage payments for up to 12 months, or suspension of late fees, visit the Freddie Mac website at: http://www.freddiemac.com/about/hurricane-relief.html. For additional information visit the Fannie Mae website at: http://www.fanniemae.com/portal/about-fm/hurricane-relief.html or by phone at 1-800-2FANNIE (800-232-6643).

You may also contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find out if you quality for any hurricane related help with your mortgage or mortgage insurance. For more information about HUD disaster assistance visit: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft or
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/nsc/qaho0121

HURRICANE RESPONSE HIRING

The U.S. Small Business Administration is hiring a variety of temporary positions located throughout areas affected by recent disasters. For more information visit: Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (sba.gov). For FEMA hiring visit: https://careers.fema.gov/temporary-local-hires. For federal jobs in Puerto Rico visit: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/job-location/puerto-rico-pr.html

SHIPPING GOODS

For donations or information for small businesses wanting to ship goods visit the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) at https://www.fema.gov/nbeoc. Shipments may be coordinated through FEMA by contacting: NBEOC@fema.dhs.gov.

Private companies with private air transportation wishing to fly into PR or the USVI must coordinate with the FAA to file a flight plan and receive a slot time for arrival. The FAA can be reached at: (540) 422-4029, (540) 422-4033, or (540) 422-4036.

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