ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY FEMA FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

The following information was released by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU):

With all the ever-increasing natural disasters happening across the country due to climate change, it is imperative to know the resources available to aid APWU families. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the U.S. government agency tasked with coordinating federal responses to disasters and emergencies. FEMA provides various forms of disaster assistance to individuals and households affected by presidentially declared disasters, such as:

Lodging-expense reimbursement

Rental assistance - Home repair/replacement assistance

Accessibility needs to assist survivors with a disability to make their home accessible

Privately-owned roads, bridges, and docks

Direct temporary housing assistance

Personal property assistance to repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, or damaged computers.

Transportation assistance

Medical and dental assistance

Funeral assistance

Moving and storage expenses

Group flood insurance policy

Serious needs assistance for essentials like water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formulas, breast feeding equipment, diapers, personal hygiene items, and fuels for transportation.

Applying for FEMA Assistance:

FEMA assistance is meant to help with uninsured or under insured losses. Not all types of assistance are available for every disaster. To be eligible for FEMA individual assistance, you must meet the following criteria:

Occupancy: You must have been living in the damaged property as your primary residence at the time of the disaster.

Ownership: You must own the damaged property or rent it.

Disaster Damage: Your home must have sustained disaster-caused damage that is not covered by insurance.

U.S. Citizenship or Legal Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.