If you need money go here Hurricane Recovery Assistance

Hurricane Recovery Assistance

President George W. Bush has declared major disasters for impacted areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. The U.S. Department of Labor is supporting efforts in these communities in coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the agency that is actively managing federal assistance to these affected communities in an effort to expedite response efforts and save lives.

The Department of Labor support includes the following:

• National Emergency Grants (NEGs)
  Impacted states can apply for NEG funds that can be used to temporarily employ dislocated workers. These funds can be used to employ workers on projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims.
  
  Learn how to apply for a National Emergency Grant.

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
  The Department of Labor is working with state and local governments in disaster areas and relief sites to issue unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance. For more information, call 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365) or visit America's Service Locator.

• Occupational Safety and Health
  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is making available technical assistance and resources to help protect those participating in cleanup and recovery efforts.
  
  Learn how to keep workers safe during clean up and recovery operations following hurricanes.

• Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
  EBSA is extending pension plan filing deadlines.

Hurricane Katrina has proven to be one of the most dangerous storms in U.S. history. Hazards from weakened and damaged trees, downed power lines, high water, and other dangers remain. We urge citizens to be mindful of instructions from state and local officials who have asked that individuals remain in shelters, homes or safe places until given further notice. Individuals in declared counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA’s toll free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); for the hearing impaired TTY 800-462-7585.

News Releases

• ETA News Release: Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $62.1 Million in Aid to Assist Louisiana's Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts; Grant Will Provide Approximately 10,000 Temporary Jobs - 05-1678-DAL - [09/03/2005]

• ETA News Release: U.S. Labor Department Announces $50 Million National Emergency Grant to Create Approximately 10,000 Temporary Jobs to Assist Mississippi’s Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts - 05-1670-ATL - [09/02/2005]

• EBSA News Release: U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Katrina Hits Alabama - 05-1648-NAT - [09/01/2005]

• EBSA News Release: U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Katrina Hits Louisiana - 05-1649-NAT - [09/01/2005]

• EBSA News Release: U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Katrina Hits Mississippi - 05-1650-NAT - [09/01/2005]

• OSHA News Release: OSHA Offers Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Cleanup and Recovery Workers - 05-1659-NAT - [08/31/2005]

• ETA News Release: U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $4 Million to Aid Alabama’s Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts - 05-1653-ATL - [08/31/2005]

Fact Sheets on Natural Disaster Recovery from OSHA

• Cleanup Hazard: [HTML] [PDF] [En Español]
• Flood Cleanup: [HTML] [PDF] [En Español]
• Downed Electrical Wires: [PDF]
• Fungi: [HTML] [PDF] [En Español]
• Falls: [PDF] [En Español]
• Electrical: [PDF] [En Español]
• Chainsaws: [PDF] [En Español]
• Tree Trimming: [PDF] [En Español]

Public Service Announcements

• Hurricane Katrina
  Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Snare — Version 1 [MP3] [WAV]
  Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Snare — Version 2 [MP3] [WAV]
  
  
• Flooding
  English: [MP3] [WAV]
  Spanish: [MP3] [WAV]
  
  
• Electrical
  English: [MP3] [WAV]
  Spanish: [MP3] [WAV]
  
  
• Chainsaws
  English: [MP3] [WAV]
  Spanish: [MP3] [WAV]
  
  
• Falls
  English: [MP3] [WAV]
  Spanish: [MP3] [WAV]
  
  
• Mold
  English: [MP3] [WAV]
  Spanish: [MP3] [WAV]
  

Additional Information

• Remarks By the President on the Relief Efforts for Hurricane Katrina
• The White House Hurricane Relief page
• Federal Emergency Management Agency