The recent string of deadly tornadoes may have you thinking more about your financial protection plan.
In 2012, Operation HOPE and FEMA collaborated to put together what they call an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit. Here are tips from FEMA for making sure things are in order before disaster strikes:
- Identify your important documents and place them in a safe space: You can use the Safeguarding Your Valuables activity and Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to help get you started.
- Download phone applications that can help during emergencies: Use the FEMA phone application to access to disaster preparedness, response and recovery resources including disaster assistance.
- Enroll in Go Direct to minimize disruptions to receiving any federal benefits you may receive.
- Plan ahead of time to recover. USDA created resources such as Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit and the Disaster Recovery Log.
An excerpt from the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit:
“In addition to organizing your financial documents, there are other important steps you should take right now to be better prepared for any emergency, from a natural disaster to a household accident. Develop a household communications plan and organize disaster supplies kits for the home, workplace and vehicle. The Department of Homeland Security offers free publications on citizen preparedness, including Are You Ready? A Guide for Citizen Preparedness.”
Log on to www.citizencorps.gov and www.ready.gov for more information.