Where to find help after a natural disaster

August 2018

Immediate Text Search for Emergency Shelters and Disaster Recovery CentersTo find an Open Emergency Shelter: text Shelter and your zip code to 43362 (FEMA).

To find an Open Disaster Recovery Center, text DRC and your zip code to43362 (FEMA).

For example: to find a shelter near the Los Angeles Local, I would text SHELTER 90057 to 43362 The text response should send the address of the shelter or Disaster Response Center. It will not say if a shelter is full. (Normal text rates apply.)

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https://www.fema.gov/text-messages

Table of Contents: Where to find help

Your Social Networks and Local Community Groups........................slide 4 -5

Insurance............................................................................................slide 6

How to Apply for Help or Donate to the SEIU Disaster Relief Fund...slide 7-11

Federal Agency (FEMA)......................................................................slide 14 -17

State Agency (CAL OES)......................................................................slide 19

CAL OES Functional Needs Map.........................................................slide 21

Regional Contacts...............................................................................slide 23-29

Services and Agencies........................................................................slide 30-36

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Your Social Network and Local Community Groups

Although there are many services available “on paper”, the truth is that services may be difficult to access. Help might be limited or take a long time to receive.

Call Your Social Worker ASAP:

If you have experienced a natural disaster, there are many people that your client or family member’s social worker will be called on to help. Get your call in ASAP, so that you can get in line and get that ball rolling.

Your Friends And Family:

This is the time to ask for help from anyone you can think of that might be able to help.

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Help from Your Union, Social Network and Local Community Groups

Local Helping Organizations:

This is help from your Union, churches, and other “helping” organizations. SEIU State Council collects donations to give out to our Union brothers and sisters in times of need.

To apply for a grant or donate to our SEIU 2015 disaster fund, go to http://www.seiuca.org/disaster-relief/

Many churches have food pantries. The Red Cross and The Salvation Army can help with shelter and clothes. To find your local helping organizations, dial 2-1-1 or go to www.211ca.org

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Insurance

Private Insurance: -If you have insurance, file your claim ASAP.

If you get stuck or your insurance agent isn’t being helpful, you can call theCalifornia Dept. of Insurance at 1-800-927-HELP (4357) or go to http://www.insurance.ca.gov/

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Your SEIU Union Natural Disaster Relief Fund

Your SEIU Union has a Natural Disaster Relief Fund

SEIU Members donate to the fund so that money is available to help their Brothers and Sisters in their time of need.

To donate to the SEIU Disaster Relief Fund or to apply for help, go to: http://www.seiuca.org/disaster-relief/

To download the Application and Instructions, go to:

www.seiuca.org/files/2017/10/SEIUMemberDisasterReliefApplication.pdf

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SEIU Natural Disaster Relief Fund: Types of HelpSEIU offers 2 types of funding help:

Housing Assistance: May include cost of temporary housing or repair to existing housing. Maximum assistance amount: $1,000 per SEIU household

Other Needs Assistance: Costs of disaster related expenses and serious needs, including medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial costs, repair or replacement of household items such as clothing, furniture, necessary occupational tools and educational materials, costs for clean-up, excess utility costs, and other disaster related expenditures.

Maximum Assistance Amount: $2,000 per SEIU member No single member shall receive more than $2,500 in assistance. Members sharing living quarters or otherwise sharing financial responsibility for each other shall be limited to a maximum of $4,000 per household.

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SEIU Natural Disaster Relief Recovery Fund: Required Documents

Along with your application, you will need to submit:

Receipts or other 3rd party documentation of personal funds spent to recover from the Natural Disaster.

Examples:

Receipts or invoices for repairs completed, rent statements, cancelled checks, or other statements that prove that you spent money to purchase goods or services because of the natural disaster

What your receipts must say:

Name, address, and phone number for the service provider or retailer

Exclusions/Restrictions: No cash advances. Your funds must be spent first and then, if eligible, the union can reimburse you.

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SEIU Natural Disaster Relief FundsEligibility Requirements:

Membership:

• You must be a full dues paying member of an SEIU California local union for a minimum of six months in the last two years.

• The months of membership do not need to be consecutive.

• Your must live or have lived in a California county affected by the disaster during the last twelve (12) months

• All losses claimed should be because of the natural disaster

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Help from your Union: How to Apply for Help from the Natural Disaster Relief Fund Go to http://www.seiuca.org/files/2017/10/SEIUMemberDisasterReliefApplication.pdf

Download and complete the application then email it to:

Attn: Disaster Relief

disasterrelief@seiucal.org

or mail it to:

SEIU California State Council 1130 K Street, Suite 300 Sacramento, CA 95814

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Government Services

Help from Federal, State, & Local Government Agencies

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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)13

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Federal Disaster Services are coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA services are available only in counties that are proclaimed a “presidentially declared disaster.”

When a county is a proclaimed a “presidentially declared disaster”, many services become available, such as Disaster CalFresh . Fees, to replace important documents, like birth certificates and social security cards, are waived.

To find out if you live in a FEMA eligible county go to www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/disaster_related_services.htm

https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance

https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/disaster_related_services.htm

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FEMA Benefits can include• Crisis Counseling• Financial Assistance Or Direct Services to

eligible individuals, who have necessary expenses and serious needs as a result of a disaster.

• Housing Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to return to their damaged or inaccessible dwellings as a result of a disaster.

• Unemployment Assistance• Medical And Dental• Child Care Expenses

• Disaster Legal Services provide legal assistance to low‐income individuals who are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster‐related needs

• Disaster Case Management- single point of contact to facilitate access to a broad range of resources

• Funeral and Burial Expenses• And Other Expenses: storage, cleaning,

etc.

https://www.fema.gov/fema-region-ix-recovery-division

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Funds Can Be Disbursed By Check Or By Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit - according to FEMA “safest and fastest way to receive funds”

• Funds deposited directly into your bank account

To set up direct deposit, you will need to provide your

• Bank name

• Type of account (like checking or savings)

• Routing number

• Account number

https://www.ready.gov/faq-details/Help-From-FEMA

FEMA Benefits: Direct Deposit16

Go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 1(800) 621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1(800) 462-7585, or 771 VRS 1(800) 621 – 3362

Between 4 am and 8 pm, 7 days a week

Enter or say your zip code, at the prompt and begin your application. Before you begin your application, have you will need to have some materials ready (next slide)

*According to the FEMA website, the application should take about 20 minutes to complete

FEMA Benefits: How to Apply

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Apply to FEMA: Materials list• A Pen and Paper

• Social Security Number to apply for a replacement card go to www.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 between 4am & 4pm

• Insurance Information

• Damage Information

• Describe the damage caused by the disaster.

• Type of disaster

• Type of dwelling or vehicle (like a condo, mobile home or house, or a car or truck).

• Financial Information

• Provide your total annual household income, before taxes, at the time of the disaster.

• Contact Information

• The address and phone number of the property where the damage occurred

• The address and phone number of where we can reach you now.

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California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES)

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In California, disaster response services are coordinated by theGovernor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES)

• CAL OES helps federal, State, and local communities work together to help those that have been affected by a natural disaster

• CAL OES is divided in 6 regional service areas

For Individuals:

• CAL OES provides information on how to plan for a natural disaster

• Some advice on what to do after the disaster

*CAL OES has a map to locate special services, like Accessible Hygiene Resources, Independent Living Centers, and Regional Centers

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistancehttp://www.caloes.ca.gov/

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES)

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Online Access and Functional Needs Map

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/AccessFunctionalNeedsSite/Pages/OAFN-Web-Map.aspx

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Cal OES Access and Functional Needs Web MapMap locations of non-governmental organizations that provide services for people with disabilities:

American Sign Language Interpreting Services.

Language Translation Services.

Regional Centers – provides services for people with developmental disabilities

Accessible Hygiene Resources- Showers, toileting, and hand washing stations that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Accessible Transportation -public transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Assistive Technology. Provides devices, equipment or technology systems and services for individuals with disabilities.

Independent Living Centers – support for people with disabilities to live independently in their communities

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/AccessFunctionalNeedsSite/Pages/OAFN-Web-Map.aspx

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Individual Assistance Program Contacts

Karma HackneyIndividual Assistance Program Manager

(916) 845-8141Karma.Hackney@caloes.ca.gov

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Lidia ArmasRegion 1 Program Director

(916) 845-8144Lidia.Armas@caloes.ca.gov

State of California: Region 1

Los Angeles Santa Barbara

Orange San Luis Obispo

Ventura

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistance

Individual Assistance Program24

Katrina Palomar

Region 4 Program Director(916) 845-8146

Katrina.Palomar@caloes.ca.gov

State of California: Region 2

Alameda Mendocino Santa Clara

Contra Costa Monterey Santa Cruz

Del Norte Napa Solano

Humboldt San Benito Sonoma

Lake San Francisco

Marin San Mateo

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistance

Individual Assistance Program 25

State of California: Region 3

Butte Sierra

Colusa Siskiyou

Glenn Sutter

Lassen Tehama

Modoc Trinity

Plumas Yuba

Shasta

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistance

Individual Assistance Program Karma Hackney

Individual Assistance Program Manager

(916) 845-8141Karma.Hackney@caloes.ca.gov

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State of California: Region 4

Alpine Sacramento

Amador San Joaquin

Calaveras Stanislaus

El Dorado Tuolumne

Nevada Yolo

Placer

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistance

Individual Assistance Program Karma Hackney

Individual Assistance Program Manager

(916) 845-8141Karma.Hackney@caloes.ca.gov

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Karma HackneyIndividual Assistance Program Manager

(916) 845-8141Karma.Hackney@caloes.ca.gov

State of California: Region 5

Fresno Mariposa

Kern Merced

Kings Tulare

Madera

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistance

Individual Assistance Program 28

State of California: Region 6

Imperial Riverside

Inyo San Bernardino

Mono San Diego

http://www.caloes.ca.gov/For-Individuals-Families/Individual-Assistance

Karma HackneyIndividual Assistance Program Manager

(916) 845-8141Karma.Hackney@caloes.ca.gov

Individual Assistance Program 29

Federal & State: Services & Agencies

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Loss of Income:California Employment Development Department

Maintains an updated list of counties, which currently qualify for disaster recovery benefits

• Assistance with filing claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.

• Job search assistance General support, referrals, and resources.

• Disability Insurance (DI)

• Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits for eligible workers to take care of loved ones

• Unemployment Insurance - to cover a portion of lost wages

https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/disaster_related_services.htm

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To Replace Important DocumentsSocial Security Administration - to replace a social security card 1-800-772-1213 or visit https://www.ssa.gov/agency/emergency/

Department Of Motor Vehicles - Assists individuals in replacing DMV documents, such as driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle registration certificates and certificates of title, that were lost as a result of the disaster.

Call 1-800-777-0133; TTY 1-800-368-4327; TDD 1-800-735-2929 or go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

California Department Of Public Health – Vital Records -works with those who have lost vital records as a result of the disaster. Birth, death, and marriage records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred. To call CDPH: (916) 558-1784 MCI from TDD 1-800-735-2929 or MCI from voice telephone 1-800-735-2922 Sprint from TDD 1-888-877-5378 or Sprint from voice telephone 1-888-877-5379

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Services For Seniors and People with Disabilities

Social Security Administration

• Apply for social security benefits, survivor benefits, or if you need assistance in expediting the delivery of your check delayed by the disaster

• Automated telephone services at 1-800-772-1213, or to speak to a representative, call between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. PST Monday through Friday (TTY/TDD for hearing or speech impaired: 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday).http://www.socialsecurity.gov/emergency

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) coordinates a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities.

Contact: 1-800-510-2020; or go to : https://www.aging.ca.gov/ProgramsProviders/AAA/AAA_Listing.aspx

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Nutrition Services:

Disaster CalFresh If you have been affected by a disaster and are in need of food assistance, you can apply for benefits through the CalFresh Program. To find out how to apply for benefits in your county, please call the toll free number 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) or apply online at: www.benefitscal.org/ For more information on CalFresh, visit the website at: www.calfresh.ca.gov

Women, Infants, And Children Supplemental Nutrition Program:

The Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) program helps low-to-moderate-income pregnant women, new mothers and their babies and young children to eat well and stay healthy. Call 1-888-942-9675 or visit the website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DWICSN/Pages/Program-Landing1.aspx

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Health CareFor information on health concerns related to a disaster you can contact 916-650-6416 or visit the California Department of Public Health website at: http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov

Medi-Cal Health Coverage: Medi-Cal is a public health insurance program that provides comprehensive medical, dental and vision care coverage to low-income individuals, including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and low-income people with specific diseases, such as tuberculosis, breast cancer or HIV/AIDS. For more information, contact your county welfare/social services department. (see appendix for list of county telephone numbers))

Crisis Counseling- Short-term counseling may be available for emotional or mental health problems caused by the impacts of a disaster.

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Veterans

California Department Of Veterans Affairs: If you have a California Department of Veterans Affairs (CALVET) loan and have suffered damage caused by a disaster, contact CALVET at 1-800-952-5626; TDD 1-800-324-5966. https://www.calvet.ca.gov/

U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs: If you need information regarding VA death benefits, pensions, insurance settlements, or other information related to VA, contact the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 1-800-827-1000 (TDD Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 1-800-829-4833), or visit their Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS) website at: https://iris.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1703

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Questions?

Please contact:

Sherry AvellaResearch AnalystSEIU Local 20152910 Beverly BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90057sherrya@seiu2025.org213 -422-9487

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