The Riley Guide: Job Banks & Recruiters

Employment & Assistance Resources
for Victims of National Disasters

This page has been updated to provide information for those needing assistance in recovering from the flooding in the Midwest section of the US.

Find Family & Friends
Financial and Other Assistance
If you want to Volunteer...

This page was compiled in 2005 to assist those who were displaced by the many hurricanes that year. I am continuing it as a more general resource to aid those who may be displaced by storms and other disasters in the future. Many of the resources and services established in the wake of Katrina and Rita are still being offered by the organizations who founded them since they have proven to be quite useful.

Find Family & Friends

Safe and Well List, American Red Cross

"If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being. Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of Date”, and the “safe and well” messages selected."

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

If your child is missing, contact your local law enforcement office then contact these people for help. You can also call them at 1-800-THE-LOST.

Humane Society of the US

...they work to rescue the pets many are forced to leave behind, and also work hard to enact legislation and policies to ensure you can bring your pets with you to shelters. You may want to review their information on preparing for a disaster in the Disaster Center.

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Financial and Other Assistance

Federal Resources

Midwest Flood Recovery Assistance

Information from the US Department of Labor, including Employment & Benefits (unemployment claims, etc.), cleanup and recovery, and links to much more. Workers can also call the department's toll-free number at 866-4-USA-DOL (487-2365) to get the latest information on where to file a claim and access temporary job information.

Midwest Flood Response and Recovery

...this section of USA.gov includes information on and links to resources, services, and informative documents all designed to assist you.

FEMA

To Apply by Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities. They suggest calling in the evenings as the phones may be less busy.

Social Security Administration

...how to be sure your benefits reach you, and much more.

Disaster Preparedness Information from the Small Business Administration

"The materials and resources on this Web site can help small businesses make plans to recover from financial losses and business interruption and to protect their employees, the community and the environment."

State Resources: Midwest

Illinois

• State of Illinois
• Ready Illinois -- Planning and Preparedness information
• Illinois Department of Employment Security -- includes a link to apply for unemployment
• Illinois Department of Human Services -- information on temporary assistance and food programs, including a list of local food pantries.

Indiana

• State of Indiana
• Storm Damage Info -- includes links to financial and other assistance
• Indiana Department of Workforce Development -- includes employment services and unemployment information
• Family and Social Services Administration -- includes information on emergency food stamp programs for victims of the flooding as well as their standard Food Stamp program.

Iowa

• State of Iowa
• Iowa 2008 Flood Resource Center
• IowaWorkforce -- includes employment services and unemployment information
• Disaster Assistance, Iowa Dept of Human Services. This page contains information about the Individual Assistance Grant Program and emergency food assistance programs. Otherwise, you can review the information about Food Assistance Program.

Missouri

• State of Missouri
• State Emergency Management Agency
• Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations -- includes employment services and unemployment information
• Food Stamps, Missouri Department of Social Services. This includes information on filing to replace food purchased with food stamps then lost in flooding or other disaster

Nebraska

• State of Nebraska
• 2008 Severe Weather Information -- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
• Nebraska Department of Labor --includes employment services and unemployment information
• Financial Assistance, Nebraska Dept of Health and Human Services -- includes information on food stamps and other programs

Wisconsin

• State of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Emergency Management
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development -- includes employment services and unemployment information
• Disaster FoodShare Benefits for Flood Victims -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) have approved a plan to issue emergency food assistance to victims of flooding in Southern and Southwestern Wisconsin. Deadlines vary by your location, but the program is ending applications July 3, 2008. After this time, you should check your eligibility for benefits with the main FoodShare program

State Resources: Gulf Coast

Louisiana

• State of Louisiana
• Louisiana Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
• LaWORKS (unemployment)
• Department of Social Services (food stamps, etc.)

Mississippi

• State of Mississippi
• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
• Mississippi Department of Employment Security (unemployment)
• Mississippi Department of Human Services (food stamps, etc.)

Alabama

• State of Alabama
• Alabama Emergency Management Agency
• Unemployment Information for Alabama
• Alabama Department of Human Resources (food stamps, etc.)

Florida

• State of Florida
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Agency for Workforce Innovation (unemployment)
• ACCESS Florida, Health and Human Services (food stamps, etc.)

Texas

• Texas Online
• Governor's Division of Emergency Management
• Unemployment Information
• Food & Nutrition Assistance

Other Resources and Services

Replacing Your Vital Documents

... advice and links to the organizations and agencies you need to contact. Courtesy of USA.gov

CERF: The Craft Emergency Relief Fund

...assistance for craft artists

If you evacuate on your own, or if you help family and/or friends who evacuate and you/they need assistance....

....contact the local offices of charitable organizations for assistance. Many sponsored by religious organizations such as Catholic Charities USA and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America do not turn away persons of other faiths. Local houses of worship can help you connect to these organizations, and may also be willing to help you and your family at this time of need. Many are just waiting for someone to ask.

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If you want to volunteer...

• The American Red Cross Volunteer Page
• VolunteerMatch
• 1-800-Volunteer.org

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