Kate Ashford

And I will say those applications can be really complicated in the aftermath of a disaster. It is going through a disaster, particularly one that fully destroys your home, right? That is incredibly traumatic and it is hard to overstate how much of a barrier that can become to your recovery. So my next piece of advice would be to ask for help if you need it.

And I will say those applications can be really complicated in the aftermath of a disaster. It is going through a disaster, particularly one that fully destroys your home, right? That is incredibly traumatic and it is hard to overstate how much of a barrier that can become to your recovery. So my next piece of advice would be to ask for help if you need it.

So if you are going to FEMA, you're struggling with that form, don't wait. Reach out for assistance. There are groups like Project Porch Light and MMI that I work with. There's also volunteers that FEMA uses and FEMA employees who can help. But don't let challenges with filling out a form be the thing that slows down or even stops your recovery.

So if you are going to FEMA, you're struggling with that form, don't wait. Reach out for assistance. There are groups like Project Porch Light and MMI that I work with. There's also volunteers that FEMA uses and FEMA employees who can help. But don't let challenges with filling out a form be the thing that slows down or even stops your recovery.

So if you are going to FEMA, you're struggling with that form, don't wait. Reach out for assistance. There are groups like Project Porch Light and MMI that I work with. There's also volunteers that FEMA uses and FEMA employees who can help. But don't let challenges with filling out a form be the thing that slows down or even stops your recovery.

And so once you've got that aid application filled out, next go to your creditors. Knowing what they offer is a huge relief too.

And so once you've got that aid application filled out, next go to your creditors. Knowing what they offer is a huge relief too.

And so once you've got that aid application filled out, next go to your creditors. Knowing what they offer is a huge relief too.

You might have guessed, a big fan of keeping track of things on your phone. And so having just a note in there where you're going to store like Here's what this group will do. Here's what's available. Hey, I heard about this for help. I find that helps out a lot. But I will say after a disaster, people are working very hard to try and get assistance programs out to folks.

You might have guessed, a big fan of keeping track of things on your phone. And so having just a note in there where you're going to store like Here's what this group will do. Here's what's available. Hey, I heard about this for help. I find that helps out a lot. But I will say after a disaster, people are working very hard to try and get assistance programs out to folks.

You might have guessed, a big fan of keeping track of things on your phone. And so having just a note in there where you're going to store like Here's what this group will do. Here's what's available. Hey, I heard about this for help. I find that helps out a lot. But I will say after a disaster, people are working very hard to try and get assistance programs out to folks.

And so if you are stuck and you don't know where to go, calling your bank can be a help. FEMA sets up recovery centers even after FEMA has left. Most government and municipalities have some kind of local recovery center that they'll set up that is full of resources and help. They're often volunteer-based.

And so if you are stuck and you don't know where to go, calling your bank can be a help. FEMA sets up recovery centers even after FEMA has left. Most government and municipalities have some kind of local recovery center that they'll set up that is full of resources and help. They're often volunteer-based.

And so if you are stuck and you don't know where to go, calling your bank can be a help. FEMA sets up recovery centers even after FEMA has left. Most government and municipalities have some kind of local recovery center that they'll set up that is full of resources and help. They're often volunteer-based.

And then if Congress has allocated funds for that disaster, once those funds make it into the community, which is usually one to two years later, they'll have long-term disaster caseworkers who are there to help too if you haven't finished your recovery at that point.

And then if Congress has allocated funds for that disaster, once those funds make it into the community, which is usually one to two years later, they'll have long-term disaster caseworkers who are there to help too if you haven't finished your recovery at that point.

And then if Congress has allocated funds for that disaster, once those funds make it into the community, which is usually one to two years later, they'll have long-term disaster caseworkers who are there to help too if you haven't finished your recovery at that point.

So first off, take pictures. After a disaster, take pictures of what your home looks like. Even though that can be really emotionally difficult to do, take pictures of everything. And as you are paying for things to recover or repair or have debris removed, keep all of those receipts.

So first off, take pictures. After a disaster, take pictures of what your home looks like. Even though that can be really emotionally difficult to do, take pictures of everything. And as you are paying for things to recover or repair or have debris removed, keep all of those receipts.

So first off, take pictures. After a disaster, take pictures of what your home looks like. Even though that can be really emotionally difficult to do, take pictures of everything. And as you are paying for things to recover or repair or have debris removed, keep all of those receipts.