Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
Emergency Loan Program
(Separate Website)
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine.
By: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Financial Help After a Disaster for Older Georgians
If you are an older person who has been affected by a disaster, health problems or a limited income may make it more difficult for you to recover. Three Federal agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA) are working together to assist you.
By: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Agencies on Aging, Small Business Administration
Fact Sheet about Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
In the wake of hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, tornados and other physical disasters, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plays a major role. SBA's disaster loans are the primary form of Federal assistance for nonfarm, private sector disaster losses. For this reason, the disaster loan program is the only form of SBA assistance not limited to small businesses. Disaster loans from SBA help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations fund rebuilding. SBA's disaster loans are a critical source of economic stimulation in disaster ravaged communities, helping to spur employment and stabilize tax bases.
By: Small Business Administration
Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
(Separate Website)
Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the President declares their location to be a major disaster area. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes. Both individuals and businesses in a presidentially-declared disaster area can get a faster refund by claiming losses related to the disaster on the tax return for the previous year, usually by filing an amended return.
By: Internal Revenue Service
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Are You At Risk for Flooding
(Separate Website)
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Disaster Mental Health Resource
(Separate Website)
Disasters come in many forms. They may occur suddenly or with advance warning. Disasters may be human-caused or an act of nature. Some disasters have names like Katrina or flight numbers while others have faces that we see on the television. Many are known simply as house fires or accidents. All involve sudden loss and profound tragedy in people?s lives. Whether airplane crashes, hurricanes, infectious disease, school shootings, acts of terrorism, or something else, disasters have both physical and mental health components and consequences.
This page, sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Division of Public Health and Division of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) addresses the Mental health components of disasters.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Disaster Unemployment Insurance Explained - Available for September 2009 Floods
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS act now! THE deadline for all affected disaster states is Monday, October 26, 2009.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Flood Recovery Resources
(Separate Website)
?Preparing for floods and flash flooding
?Emergency procedures during a flood threat
?Protecting livestock during a flood
?Standby electric generators for emergency power
?Restoring electrical service after a flood
?What to do before and after a flood
?Flooded lawn management
?Flood damage to trees
?Frequently asked questions about flood soiled clothing
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Flood Vicitms in Federally Declared Disaster Areas Register online at http://www.fema.gov or call1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585
(Separate Website)
Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that President Obama has issued a Federal Disaster Declaration for individual assistance to aid residents of Cobb, Paulding, Douglas and Cherokee counties with recovery efforts in the wake of flooding that hit Georgia earlier this week. The portion of Governor Perdue?s request covering other counties and aid to governments that sustained damage to buildings and public costs due to the storms is still pending.
?The recovery is just now beginning,? said Governor Perdue. ?We have a great deal of work to do and I appreciate President Obama?s approval of the disaster declaration. We will continue to work closely with FEMA as damage assessments continue and further assistance becomes available.?
The federal declaration covers individual assistance and can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is coordinating the state's response effort. ?We are coordinating the recovery effort with our local, state, federal and volunteer partners,? said GEMA Director Charley English. ?Damage assessment teams are continuing to work with local authorities in all affected areas of the state to assess losses.?
Governor Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 Georgia counties on Monday. The state of emergency cleared the way for the massive deployment of state personnel and equipment and paved the way for the Presidential Declaration. The Governor announced the federal declaration request on Tuesday after an aerial tour of the damaged areas.
Residents and business owners in the four counties declared by the President as a major disaster area who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.
GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more emergency information and updates, visit www.gema.ga.gov
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Flooded Home, Business or Vehicle? Here Are Steps to Take in Reporting Your Insurance Claim
(Separate Website)
Contact your insurer immediately if you plan to make an insurance claim regarding flooding either for your home, apartment, business or vehicle from the recent heavy rains.
Step 1: This is very important. In order to make a claim you must have flood insurance coverage for your home, apartment, or business. For flooded vehicles your auto policy must include comprehensive coverage. Otherwise, typical homeowners, renters, business owners or auto insurance policies do not cover flooding.
Step 2: Contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report the claim.
Step 3: Make sure your insurer knows how to reach you at all times. Provide cell phone numbers, an e-mail address or phone numbers of relatives where you will be staying if you have been forced to leave your home.
Step 4: If you can enter your home safely, separate damaged from undamaged property; take photographs of damaged property and floodwater levels. The adjuster will need this evidence in determining your claim estimate.
GIIS reminds all Georgians that 25 to 35 percent of flooding incidents occurs outside designated flood zones. Only flood insurance policies, which are available whether one lives in or outside a designated flood plain, will provide financial protection in case of most dwelling floods, also known as â??rising water.â?쳌 Flood insurance coverage for homes and businesses is available from your insurer, through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Keep in mind that there is a standard 30-day waiting period before a flood policy goes into effect.
For vehicles, comprehensive coverage must be in place in order to provide financial protection for damage caused by flooding. There is no waiting period until this coverage goes into effect.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
GEMA Flood Resources
(Separate Website)
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Georgia Website Were You Can Verify a Contractor's License.
(Separate Website)
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
HUD Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims - Section 203 (H)
(Separate Website)
The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home.
Purpose:
Through Section 203(h), the Federal Government helps victims in Presidentially designated disaster areas recover by making it easier for them to get mortgages and become homeowners or re-establish themselves as homeowners.
Insurance Comissioner Says Much Flood Damage Not Covered By Insurance
(Separate Website)
Public Benefits Advocate Newsletter - October 2009 This monthly newsletter contains updates about Georgia public benefits programs like food stamps, disaster help, TANF, Medicaid, and more.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Recovering From and Coping With Flood Damaged Property
(Separate Website)
Recovering From and Coping With Flood Damaged Property
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Red Cross Resources for Flood Victims
(Separate Website)
Four Red Cross shelters three in metro Atlanta and one in North Georgia ?remain open, providing a safe haven for families in this time of chaos. More than 400 people have been fed and sheltered. Red Cross volunteers are also helping families with emergency medical needs and emotional support.
As flood waters recede, Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles from across the state and the Southeast are moving into affected neighborhoods to provide mobile feeding. Teams of Red Cross volunteers are also canvassing neighborhoods to conduct damage assessment. Distribution sites for clean-up supplies are currently being established.
Returning Home After a Flood: Be Healthy and Safe
(Separate Website)
Returning Home After a Disaster: Be Healthy and Safe
U-Haul offering Free Storage to Flood Victims
(Separate Website)
U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage to anyone whose home was damaged in the storms, or flooded out.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(Separate Website)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency - a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 - is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters.
By: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Georgia Emergency Management Agency Homepage
(Separate Website)
Provides links and resources for Katrina survivors as well as emergency information for Georgians
HUD Hotline for Section 8 & Public-Housing Residents
(Separate Website)
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced that HUD has established a Public and Indian Housing Resource Information Center, and a toll-free number, 1-800-955-2232, to assist displaced public housing residents and Section 8 voucher holders. Through its 80 field offices, HUD has also provided policy guidance to the nation?s 3,200 Public Housing Authorities on how to assist displaced families as they relocate to other areas.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Information from HUD for Those Affected By Disasters
(Separate Website)
Information on rights in regards to mortgages, forclosure, relief programs and other housing issues
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Picking Up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities After a Disaster This report outlines the process that a community that has suffered a disaster can expect to go through. The report also describes the different types of help communities can get to help with housing problems after a disaster.
By: Housing Assistance Council
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
After a Disaster: Hiring a Contractor
(Separate Website)
If your house has been damaged by a natural disaster snow/ice, fire, flood or earthquake, a reputable contractor can help you get your home repaired. Unfortunately, disasters sometimes bring out home repair rip-off artists, who overcharge, perform shoddy work and often leave without finishing the job. What can you do to find a quality contractor? The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency can offer a few tips.
By: Federal Trade Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency
After a Disaster: Repairing Your Home
(Separate Website)
If your house has been damaged by a natural disaster - flood, fire, snow/ice, tornado or earthquake - chances are you're on the hunt for a reputable contractor to help with repair and restoration. Inevitably, the demand for qualified contractors after a disaster usually exceeds the supply. Enter the home repair rip-off artist, who may overcharge, perform shoddy work or skip town without finishing your job.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Home and Personal Property Disaster Loans
(Separate Website)
If you are in a declared disaster area and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration - even if you don't own a business. As a homeowner, renter and/or personal-property owner, you may apply to the SBA for a loan to help you recover from a disaster.
By: U.S. Small Business Administration
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Liability Insurance
(Separate Website)
The liability portion of your homeowner's policy is designed to cover unintentional injuries on the premises and unintentional damage to other people's property. In other words, injuries caused by your negligence are covered; those you inflict on purpose are not covered.
Here are a few tips on how to cover yourself adequately. Remember, it takes only one person who is seriously injured by your negligence to generate a huge liability award and deplete your financial nest egg, not to mention your psychological well being.
By: American Bar Association
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(Separate Website)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency - a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 - is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters.
By: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Georgia Emergency Management Agency Homepage
(Separate Website)
Provides links and resources for Katrina survivors as well as emergency information for Georgians
Food Stamp Program
(Separate Website)
The Food Stamp Program serves as the first line of defense against hunger. It enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Food stamp recipients spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
By: Food and Nutrition Service
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Information from HUD for Those Affected By Disasters
(Separate Website)
Information on rights in regards to mortgages, forclosure, relief programs and other housing issues
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
What Schools Must Do to Help Displaced Kids
Information on the rights of evacuees and other displaced families to enroll their children in public schools
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Georgia Emergency Management Agency Homepage
(Separate Website)
Provides links and resources for Katrina survivors as well as emergency information for Georgians
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program®
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
(Separate Website)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United states. Before an individual can be determined eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, it must be established that the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law). The program is administered by states as agents of the federal government.
By: U.S. Department of Labor
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