At the end of August, the nation will mark the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As a country, we remember those who lost their lives, we honor those who suffered losses, were injured, or were members of the first responder community. To prepare for future disasters, it is necessary to ensure that we know the disaster relief resources available to us.
If your community is struck by a natural disaster, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, the official government website that provides information and services to access and apply for disaster assistance. Below are just a few things DisasterAssistance.gov can help you do:
- Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs.
- Locate over 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies.
- Apply for disaster assistance.
- Reduce the number of forms required to complete.
- Check the status of your application.
- Locate a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (RDC) near you.
- Find a hotel or place to live.
- Find information on food and nutrition programs.
- Have your Social Security Benefits sent to your new address.
- Learn about Small Business Administration Loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.
Benefits.gov has relevant resources to help you prepare for the unknown. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) also houses a wealth of information to help you and your family create safe, strong homes and communities. Here are just a couple examples of disaster relief benefits housed on Benefits.gov:
Crop Insurance Program
The Crop Insurance Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, protects farmers against crop losses inflicted by a federally declared natural disaster. Availability of crop policy plans varies by state and county.
Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief
The Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Program is run by the Internal Revenue System through the U.S. Department of Treasury. The program provides tax counseling and assistance to taxpayers whose property has been damaged or lost in a federally declared natural disaster.
To view the complete list of disaster relief benefits, browse our Disaster Relief Category. To find benefits more specific to your situation, we suggest using our Benefit Finder questionnaire.
