Disaster Relief

This page is provides some quick links that may help.  Go to our Disaster Relief- Tropical Storm Irene and Recovery Resource pages for more information about what to do in the aftermath of Irene. 

Hurricane Sandy!- As Hurricane Sandy approaches, here are some links to resources that may help.

• www.Ready.gov - The US Government's disaster preparedness website.  You can find information and suggestions on how to prepare for a Hurricane and other natural disasters;
• Vermont Emergency Management preparedness page;
• www.Vermont211.org - or call 2-1-1;
• Attorneys- the Vermont Bar Association has put together a disaster manual and other resources that may help;
• Road Closures: http://www.511vt.com/default.asp?area=VT_statewide
• Power Outages: www.vtoutages.com/
• Vermont Emergency Management website: http://vem.vermont.gov

LEGAL ASSISTANCE- If you are facing legal issues because of Irene, call Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047 for free advice.  If you qualify for help you will be matched with Vermont lawyers volunteering their time.   Help can include dealing with insurance claims, home repair contracts, replacement of wills and other documents destroyed in the disaster, and counseling on mortgage foreclosure problems or landlord/tenant issues.

Legal Services Law Line of Vermont received funding to hire a disaster relief attorney for advice and some full representation for clients with Irene related legal issues. If you have a legal issue caused by or impacted by Irene please call Vermont Legal Aid at 800-889-2047 to be screened.

For immediate assistance call 211.  If you have had a hard time getting through to 211, please try again.  More lines have been added to help.

• For more information about road closures go to: http://www.511vt.com/default.asp?area=VT_statewide
• For more information about power outages: http://www.vtoutages.com/

You can also find more information on the Greem Mountain United Way blog about Disaster Relief Resources.

The deadline for registering for FEMA assistance has passed.  Calling 211 does not register you for FEMA assistance.  To get FEMA help, you had to have registered by November 15, 2011.   You can find out the status of your application online, or by phone 1-800-621-FEMA, or with your mobile device (to download the mobile app go to: market.android.com/details?id=gov.fema.mobile.android).

Document damages.  Take pictures.  Keep receipts.  Make records of all your expenses.  Keep those records in a safe place.  You will need to support your claim for assistnace with documentation of all your damage, expenses and losses.   For more information read our Disaster Relief- Tropical Storm Irene page and the Recovery Resource page. 

RENTERS!: If you suffered damage due to Irene, and registered for assistance with FEMA, then you may be able to get financial help.

Unemployed because of Irene?  Read the Department of Labor's Disaster Unemployment Assistance page.

Need help filing for disaster help from FEMA?  Go to the FEMA Disaster Assistance Website. 

Subsidized Housing Recipients or Applicants- If you are a client of the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA) or would like to apply for subsidized housing because you lost your home due to Irene, go to their disaster recovery page for more information.  VSHA may be able to help.  Check their website for more information, including who to contact and how to apply.

Tenants in the Eviction Process-  If you have to pay rent into court and can't because of Tropical Storm Irene, please call Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047 as soon as you can.

Find Rental Housing- If you need help finding rental housing, check out the Vermont Housing Data page from VHFA.  It provides links to most of the major newspapers, links to lists of subsidized housing available and other resources. 

Do you have housing to offer people displaced by Irene?  Call 1-866-330-5286 to contact FEMA and offer free housing or rental housing to those in need of a home because of Irene.

Dont get Scammed!  Before you start your home repairs check out contractors and others offering home repair assistance on the Consumer Assistance Program Website.  Consumers can get information about home repair, how to avoid repair fraud and other valuable information about their rights. For more information go to the CAP website or call 1-800-649-2424.  Read this flyer about the steps you can take to avoid fraud. 

Seniors- If you suffered damage from Irene, apply for assistance from FEMA.  FEMA help will not affect your social security, Medicaid, SSI benefits and FEMA assistance does not count as taxable income.  For more information read this press release.

Do you receive federal benefits?  If you do, you can still get help to help recover from Irene.  FEMA assistance does not affect your SSDI, SSI, 3SquaresVT or other benefits if they are funded at least in part by the federal government.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE- If you are facing legal issues because of Irene, call Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047 for free advice.  If you qualify for help you will be matched with Vermont lawyers volunteering their time.   Help can include dealing with insurance claims, home repair contracts, replacement of wills and other documents destroyed in the disaster, and counseling on mortgage foreclosure problems or landlord/tenant issues.

Legal Services Law Line of Vermont received funding to hire a disaster relief attorney for advice and some full representation for clients with Irene related legal issues. If you have a legal issue caused by or impacted by Irene please call Vermont Legal Aid at 800-889-2047 to be screened.

VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS- If you are providing legal assistance to Irene victims you may find the materials linked to our Disaster Legal Assistance page helpful.

For more information read our Disaster Relief and Taxes page and go online to www.disasterassistance.gov. 

You can also go in person to your nearest FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.

For more information, you can also check out this video: