Benefits.gov Issues Newsletter
Find Your Path to Disaster Relief
Many areas throughout the U.S. have seen intense weather events this month. From heavy rain and flooding in California to a nor’easter that dropped over a foot of snow in the northeast, dangerous weather patterns have caused property damage, loss of wages, and even loss of life. For survivors of these events, disaster assistance is available to help you recover.
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DisasterAssistance.gov
DisasterAssistance.gov is a federal website with the mission to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster relief. Managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DisasterAssistance.gov can help connect you with resources for shelter, financial assistance, nutrition assistance, and other basic needs following a disaster or emergency event.
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Check In with Your Mental Health
Regardless of whether you were hurt or lost a loved one, you may still be personally affected by the result of a disaster. Following events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or even extreme heat or cold, it is common to show signs of stress or trauma. The Disaster Distress Hotline (DDH) is there to help. The first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling, this toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
There is no right or wrong way to feel following a disaster, but it is important to find healthy ways to cope with these events. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) offers many mental health resources, including tips to manage your mental health so that you can care for yourself and your loved ones.
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Explore Your Recovery Options
Many government programs are available to help you recover after a disaster. Benefits.gov can connect you with business and home loans, tax relief, unemployment insurance, and other critical resources to help you in the aftermath of a disaster.
