09/18/2017
Below is a list of resources for you during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Please make sure to take the right precautions. We're all in this together.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA):
Legal Help Hotline:
Learn more about how workers can access the DUA program after Hurricane Irma. The National Employment Law Project has a very useful factsheet here: http://www.nelp.org/publication/how-workers-access-dua-after-hurricane-irma/
Apply for Disaster Relief:
Safety Concerns:
If you are able to donate, please consider the following organizations:
Florida Disaster Fund – The official fund established to assist communities and families impacted by disasters in Florida. Click on the link to donate any amount, or to make a one-time donation of $10, you can also text the word DISASTER to 20222.
ABC: ActBlue Charities - Direct support to 12 local nonprofit organizations providing both immediate and longterm front line care for those who have been impacted by Irma.
Humane Society - For support for animals impacted by Hurricanes Harvey & Irma. Click on the link to donate.
Relief for Florida - Jeremy Ring, Candidate for CFO, has organized a relief fund to maximize effective efforts towards recovery from this disaster.
See a down power line? Report it to FPL immediately at 1-800-4OUTAGE
Not sure if it's safe to drink tap water? Check to see if your community has a boil water notice: http://bit.ly/BoilWaterNotices
Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for over 2 hours. https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html
Notify your insurance company first. Many insurance companies have reporting deadlines, so it is important to act quickly. Take steps to make temporary repairs that prevent further damage, but remain in contact with your insurance company regarding any outside vendors that are brought in to make repairs. If you need help locating contact information for your insurance company, click here to access the Office of Insurance Regulation's (Office) directory. Helpline experts working the Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 can also help Floridians locate their insurance company's contact information.
Fully review all documentation you are asked to sign and ask questions to make sure you understand the agreements you are signing. Ask specifically who is responsible for paying the vendor: you as the consumer, or your insurance company. For more information about how an assignment of benefits (AOB) for repairs works, visit the DFS AOB.
If considering the assistance of a public insurance adjuster, ask for identification to verify that the adjuster is licensed. Visit the Florida CFO's Hurricane Irma Insurance Resources website to verify the license of any Florida insurance agent or adjuster.
Understand how much a public insurance adjuster charges as well as what services are included before signing any contract.
If you suspect fraud or suspicious activity, report it immediately by calling 1-877-693-5236. Your concerns will be promptly referred to insurance fraud investigators.
To Volunteer:
If you require legal assistance but money is too tight to hire an attorney, a hotline has been set up to help, operated through a partnership between the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The number is 1-866-550-2929
If you are able to volunteer, please consider the following organizations:
Volunteer Florida is the state's leading agency for mobilizing volunteers & deploying resources to those in need. Sign up at: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/irma/
Local United Way: There are 31 local United Ways. Many volunteers & skills are needed. http://www.uwof.org/find-your-local-united-way-0
https://www.irmashelters.org/
To Donate:
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), also referred to as Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance, is a federal program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals unemployed as a result of a “major disaster” declared by the president.
