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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions &…
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Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
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Contents:
General Inquiries
Offering Assistance
Requesting Assistance
Schools
Food
Shelter
Transportation
Health Care
Legal Services
Other Government Benefits
General Inquiries
Who do I contact for general questions regarding the local
response?
Washington, DC Mayor's Call Center
· (202) 727-1000
American Red Cross of the National Capital Area
· 8550 Arlington Blvd · P: (703) 584-8400
Fairfax, VA 22031 · F: (703) 573-8587
· ncacinfo@redcrossnca.org · http://www.redcrossnca.org/
· Cameron Ballantyne, media relations coordinator, at 703-584-8452, 202-345-4620,
or via e-mail at ballantynec@redcrossnca.org
Who do I contact for general questions regarding the national
response?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
· FEMA-Correspondence-Unit@dhs.gov
· Call (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
DisasterHelp
· https://www.disasterhelp.gov/portal/jhtml/index.jhtml
American Red Cross
· (202) 303-4498
DC Hunger Solutions 1
Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
Offering Assistance
How can I make monetary donations?
American Red Cross Salvation Army
· http://www.redcross.org · (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
· (800) HELP NOW (435-7669)
· (800) 257-7575 Spanish FEMA Donations Hotline
· TDD Operator: (800) 220-4095 · 1-800-440-6728
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
· http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org/
· Office of President Clinton · Office of President George H. W. Bush
Re: Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund Re: Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
55 W125th Street 10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 900
New York, NY 10027 Houston, TX 7702
America's Second Harvest Lutheran Disaster Response
(800) 344-8070 (800) 638-3522
Adventist Community Services Mennonite Disaster Service
(800) 381-7171 (717) 859-2210
Catholic Charities USA Nazarene Disaster Response
(800) 919-9338 888-256-5886
Christian Disaster Response Operation Blessing
(941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554 800-436-6348
Christian Reformed World Relief Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Committee 800-872-3283
(800) 848-5818
Southern Baptist Convention Disaster
Church World Service Relief
(800) 297-1516 800-462-8657, Ext. 6440
Convoy of Hope United Methodist Committee on Relief
(417) 823-8993 800-554-8583
How can I donate goods and services (e.g. housing,
transportation, food & personal items)?
DC Displaced Persons
· Housing and Other Goods
o DC Government
http://rrc.dc.gov/rrc/cwp/view.asp?a=1189&q=457425&PM=1
o Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington is coordinating
volunteer services, donation offers, and resettlement efforts for the
Archdiocese: (202) 772-1212 (the most critical need is empty apartments
that would be available at no cost for at least 90 days)
· Personal Items: The First District Police Headquarters will be collecting the
following items at their office 24/7 for arriving hurricane victims.
Acceptable items (NO FOOD WILL BE ACCEPTED!): Toiletries including
toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc...
1st District Police Dept
415 4th St. SW
Washington, DC
202-698-0515
DC Hunger Solutions 2
Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
· Food: Currently, the most important need is money. If you would like to make a
food contribution to the Capital Area Food Bank, they will send it to the disaster
area through a coordinated effort by America's Second Harvest. The most
needed items are as follows:
bottled water, handheld snacks such as granola, energy and breakfast bars, beef
jerky, flip top canned meals such as hearty soups, stews, chili and/or pasta;
paper products (napkins, plates, bowls, cups, utensils); personal hygiene items
(feminine products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap); disinfecting household
cleansers and detergents; can openers, baby products (diapers, baby food,
bottles, wipes); canned meats (chicken, tuna, salmon); canned fruit and
vegetables; 100% juice, sports drinks, coffee, tea, boxed meals.
Please call 202-526-5344 ext. 305 to deliver your food contributions to us at our
D.C. warehouse, located at 645 Taylor Street, NE.
National Emergency Resource Registry
https://www.nerr.gov/ or https://www.swern.gov/emergency/asset_index.php
What's Needed Most: Commercial Aircraft, Baby Food, Housing, Transportation,
Emergency Supplies
How can I volunteer?
DC Volunteering
· http://rrc.dc.gov/rrc/cwp/view.asp?a=1189&q=457425&PM=1
General Volunteering
· USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network
(http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/content/for_volunteers/find_opps/index.asp)
· See contact info for the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area under
the "General Inquiries" section above to find opportunities to engage in relief
efforts.
· National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (http://www.nvoad.org/)
(703) 339-5596
Medical Professionals
The Office of The Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency
Preparedness are in the process of mobilizing and identifying healthcare professionals
and relief personnel. If you are a Healthcare Professional or relief personnel with medical
or health-related expertise, please go to https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov.
Other Specialized Mobilization:
If you are a trained in special disaster relief skills, please contact your state Citizen
Corps representative or County Emergency Manager. If you have police service skills,
please contact your local Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS). If you are a trained fire
fighter, please contact your local Fire Corps.
Requesting Assistance
How can I request individual federal disaster (including financial)
assistance?
FEMA
· 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
· Speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585
· http://www.fema.gov/register.shtm
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Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
· FEMA Applicant's Guide to Individual and Household Assistance Programs:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/process/help_after_disaster_english.pdf
· Every evacuee household will receive $2,000.00 in emergency disaster relief to
be used anyway they see fit, including the purchase of food. If an evacuee is
located in a shelter, FEMA and the Red Cross will register evacuees for this
benefit. If the evacuee is staying with a relative or in a hotel or rented
apartment, FEMA will also get the $2000.00 to these individuals. There is an 800
number to call in order to register, or, if the evacuee has access to the internet,
there is a website for registration. By registering for this benefit, the evacuees
will also be eligible for future benefits. Approximately 400,000 households have
already registered. The 800 number has 3,000 operators, and more are being
hired and trained.
· With respect to Federal benefits - For any evacuee who was receiving any Federal
benefits in a county that has been declared a disaster area and now is residing in
another State, benefits will continue. There will be no administrative
requirements to register for benefits (since many have no id or other evidence of
residence). Food Stamps, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program are
included in the list of Federal benefits.
How can I locate relatives?
International Red Cross
· http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/katrina
US Government
· http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery
.shtml#vgn-find-family-and-friends-government-sources-vgn
Where can I receive additional food and shelter?
Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
· (202) 234-0333
· http://www.ifcmw.org/directory/directory.htm
Schools
College/University
The area colleges listed below are currently offering relief efforts to college students:
University of the District of Columbia, American University, Catholic University of
America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington
University, Georgetown Law School, Georgetown University, Howard University,
Marymount University, Southeastern University, Trinity University, University of
Maryland, College Park
The University of the District of Columbia, for example, offers one semester of tuition
and associated student fees free of charge to all District residents who are currently
enrolled in a college or university forced into closing as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
K-12
· DC Public Schools, like all public schools, are required to accept homeless
children, including evacuees. They are available at the armory to help enroll
children and some evacuees have already begun attending nearby public schools.
· Catholic Schools are also accepting students: 301-853-4518
DC Hunger Solutions 4
Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
Food
How will evacuees be fed initially?
DC Central Kitchen is providing meals for evacuees at the armory, while the Salvation
Army provides snacks.
Can evacuees receive Food Stamps if they are not currently
participating in the program?
Yes, evacuees qualify for the Disaster Food Stamp Program (DSFP) in affected areas or
other emergency provisions that are in effect in Washington, DC and elsewhere. These
provisions include exemption from work requirements, Able-Bodied Adult Without
Dependents (ABAWD) requirements, and certain time limits. Evacuees are eligible for
benefits for three months, plus the month of application and their applications will be
expedited.
Can evacuees use their Food Stamp EBT cards to purchase hot
meals?
Yes, if this rule currently applies to homeless populations and is applicable to evacuees.
Can evacuees use their Food Stamp EBT cards if they do not have
the card with them?
Yes, though the EBT card is normally required to be present in order to conduct a key-
entered transaction--where the card number and PIN are manually entered--that
requirement for displaced residents of Louisiana (card numbers beginning with
504476), Mississippi (card numbers beginning with 507718) , and Alabama (card
numbers beginning with 507680) has been relaxed. These recipients do not need to
have their card present in order to conduct a key-entered transaction for this interim
period only (until at least September 17th).
Louisiana
· Louisiana recipients who have lost their card and do not know their EBT card
number should call the Louisiana State office at 1-866-334-8304 or the JP
Morgan toll-free number for Louisiana at 1-888-997-1117.
· Louisiana, with FNS approval, is allowing EBT card numbers to be given to clients
who have lost their cards as a result of their evacuation. With the card number
and their PIN, a manually-keyed EBT transaction is possible. FNS is notifying
retailers to the extent possible. This process is advantageous since it eliminates
the 4 to 5 days it could take to receive a replacement card in the mail. This
procedure is effective immediately and will end at midnight on September 17,
2005. Louisiana recipients may call the state help-line, 1-866-334-8304, or the J.
P. Morgan help-line, 1-888-997-1117, or the following OFS numbers (not toll-
free) to request their card numbers, or if they prefer, a replacement card: (225)
925-7251, (225) 925-7252, (225) 925-7253, (225) 925-7255, (225) 925-7246.
This solution is more advantageous than replacing cards because of the mail-time
delay and the fact that PIN select on a new replacement card via ARU is very
difficult because of phone service disruption.
Mississippi
· Mississippi residents who have lost their card and do not know their EBT card
number should call 1-866-449-9488.
Alabama
DC Hunger Solutions 5
Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
· Alabama residents who have lost their card and do not know the card number
should call the Alabama State Office at 1-800-997-8888 or the ACS toll-free
number for Alabama at 1-866-512-5087.
In Washington, DC, all displaced persons from the afflicted region without valid
cards/coupons, etc... will be treated as new applicants to the relevant federal
support programs.
Where can evacuees purchase food nearby?
Safeway Supermarkets near the DC Armory
415 14th St. SE 1601 Maryland Ave NE
Washington DC 20003 Washington DC 20002
1.2 miles 1.6 miles
Convenience Stores/Marts within 1 mile of the DC Armory
Economy Market Anita Supermarket
South East Market
1804 D St NE 201 15th St NE
1500 Independence Ave
Washington DC 20002 Washington DC 20002
NE
0.8 mile 0.9 mile
Washington DC 20003
Yoni Food Market & J&K 1.0 mile
Carryout 234 15th St NE
101 15th St NE Washington DC 20002
Washington DC 20002 0.9 mile
0.8 mile
Sunshine Country Market
Bella Market 1452 D St NE
101 15th St NE Washington DC 20002
Washington DC 20002 1.0 mile
0.8 mile
Shelter
How long can evacuees stay at the armory?
Evacuee will be able to stay at the armory 30-90 days at a minimum, which the DC
Emergency Management Agency deciding when to close down the armory. However, they
guarantee that nobody will be forced out.
How will evacuees be housed after their time at the armory is over?
DC Homeless
Shelter Hotline: (800) 535-7252
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
· Housing Concerns Hotline: (888) 297-8685a available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT,
seven days a week
· Public housing and Section 8 voucher recipients: (800) 955-2232
FEMA
· On-Site and (800) 621-FEMA (3362) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
· (TTY: 800-462-7585) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Catholic Charities of Washington Archdiocese
· 202-772-4300
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Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
How can important mail items be received by or sent to evacuees?
Displaced People are encouraged to file a change of address online at www.usps.com, at the
nearest Post Office, or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). The Astrodome has
been assigned a Zip Code of 77230 and is working to set up special ZIP codes for other sites
being used to house evacuees.
Transportation
How can evacuees be transported to other states should they choose
to do so?
FEMA is on site working with these individuals to get them where they need to go.
Health Care
How can evacuees access medical care?
Medicaid, SCHIP, and Medicare will ease normal operating procedures to speed provision of
health care services to children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The usual burden
of documentation (e.g., health care records, information on current health status, patient
status of Medicaid eligibility, and etc.) will be waived for receiving hospitals and nursing
homes that receive beneficiaries from neighboring states. The presumption of Medicaid
eligibility should be made for evacuees.
How can evacuees and other victims receive counseling and mental
health services?
· The DC Department of Health is at the armory offering Mental Health Counseling.
· Crisis counseling hotline (referrals to local crisis counseling hotlines around the
country): (800) 273-TALK (8255)
Legal Services
How can evacuees receive free legal assistance?
Washington Legal Clinic for the Bread for the City/Zacchaeus Clinic
Homeless 1525 7th St., NW
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5 to 9 pm
Please call first at (202) 872-1494. Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm
Bilingual English and Spanish available Please call first at (202) 332-0440.
Other Government Benefits
Social Security and SSI:
· Information for how affected people can get their benefits:
http://www.ssa.gov/emergency/
· Many rules are suspended during a disaster
Employment and Unemployment Benefits:
· There is a job board at the armory to help evacuees find immediate work in the area.
· Information on filing for benefits and office locations may also be obtained by calling
1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627) and office locations are available at
www.servicelocator.org.
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Hurricane Katrina: DC Questions & Answers
· US Department of Labor page on Katrina Disaster Unemployment Assistance:
http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/hurricane.asp
· Information on Disaster Unemployment Benefits from the National Employment Law
Project: http://www.nelp.org/ui/federal/initiatives/duakatrina.cfm
Alabama
· Claims may filed by calling (866) 767-8103.
Louisiana
· Individuals may report in person to the nearest Job Center, file over the internet at
http://www.laworks.net. Or call (800) 818-7811.
Mississippi
· UI and DUA claims are taken in person in Mississippi at job centers. An 800 number
will be available at a later time.
Indivar Dutta-Gupta
Food Stamp Outreach Specialist
Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow
D.C. Hunger Solutions
email: idutta-gupta@frac.org
voice: 202-986-2200 ext. 3026
web: http://www.dchunger.org
DC Hunger Solutions 8