Something frustrating

[heidi]

Since there's been a diaspora from the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama areas, I think it would be good for everyone if the national newscasts spent a smidge of time covering what people who have been forced from their homes can do, in terms of contacting their insurers to find out about what their homeowners' policy will pay for in terms of food and shelter, or if they rent, the fact that they possibly don't need to pay rent on an uninhabitable place, and if their job is gone, there will be unemployment benefits which will probably be supplemented by FEMA, etc. These were all things we learned about down here after Andrew, and right now, people feel so lost and shellshocked and I don't think the tv networks are really helping explain, as much as they can.

ETA: FEMA has put up a page of resources for those suffering the impact of Katrina.

Comments

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

While I won't give legal advice, the likelihood is very, very strong that they don't owe any rent for at least the month of September. And many businesses have insurance that allows them to pay their employees if the business is closed and destroyed because of a hurricane, but of course it's up to each employer. One thing is for sure - Freddie Mac, the mortgage thingy, has put mortgage relief policies into action and says they will reduce or suspend mortgage payments for up to 12 months for borrowers with Freddie Mac-owned mortgages in the declared major-disaster areas. It's something, at least.

[gorgeousnerd]

Well, that's good to know. Thanks a bunch; I'll pass this info along to her. At least it'll give her a place to start.