🚨 Immediate danger? Call 911 | FEMA: 1-800-621-3362 | Crisis Counseling: 1-800-985-5990 | Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767
Every resource hurricane survivors need in one place — mental health support, food assistance, housing help, mortgage protection, renter rights, and more. Free, no signup required.
Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and grief are normal responses after a hurricane. Getting help early prevents long-term PTSD. All these services are free and confidential.
After a presidential disaster declaration, FEMA provides upfront payments for essential needs including food, water, baby formula, medication, and personal hygiene items. Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov — this payment is separate from home repair grants.
The USDA activates emergency food stamp benefits in declared disaster areas. Households not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify after a disaster. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card. Check with your state SNAP office for activation dates in your county.
Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Visit femaevachotels.com to find TSA-participating hotels.
Do not wait until you're behind. Call the phone number on your mortgage statement and say "I have hurricane damage and need disaster forbearance." They are required to work with you.
Forbearance allows you to pause or reduce mortgage payments for a period of time while you recover. Payments are not forgiven — they are deferred. Missed payments are typically added to the end of your loan or set up as a repayment plan. You cannot be charged late fees during forbearance.
Most renters don't apply for FEMA because they think it's only for homeowners. It's not. Renters can receive assistance for temporary housing, personal property, medical expenses, and more.
DUA provides weekly benefit payments to people who lost jobs or self-employment income because of a hurricane. Unlike regular unemployment, DUA covers self-employed individuals, farmers, and contractors who don't qualify for regular unemployment insurance.
Apply through your state's unemployment office after a presidential disaster declaration. There is a strict deadline — typically 30 days after the declaration. Do not wait.
Most counties maintain a Special Needs Registry for residents who need evacuation assistance due to disability, medical equipment, or mobility limitations. Register with your county emergency management office before a storm — not during.
After a presidential disaster declaration, FEMA partners with the American Bar Association to provide free legal help for low-income survivors. This covers insurance claim disputes, contractor contracts, FEMA appeals, landlord-tenant issues, and replacement of legal documents.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children displaced by disasters have the right to immediate school enrollment without proof of residency, immunization records, or other documentation. Schools cannot delay enrollment. Contact your local school district or call 2-1-1.
FEMA Other Needs Assistance covers increased childcare costs caused by the disaster. The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) also activates disaster assistance in declared areas. Contact your state childcare agency through 2-1-1.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) emergency procedures activate after disasters — benefits can be issued without normal documentation requirements. Contact your local WIC office or call 2-1-1.
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