FRONT-LINE STAFF SERVICES TO KATRINA EVACUEES
The following information is intended to serve as a desk aid for staff who are providing services to those who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. There are many programs available to meet the immediate humanitarian, income support, and employment needs of evacuees who have re-located to Midwestern states. We ask that you take all of these resources into account in addressing the needs of those you are serving. Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Insurance For workers who need to file claims for Unemployment Insurance or Disaster Unemployment Assistance, the following toll free numbers can be used. All Alabama claims should be filed by calling the toll free number below. Although Louisiana and Mississippi claimants can call the toll free numbers, if they are in our offices, in the interest of good customer service, their claims should be taken and transmitted over the ICON. Louisiana claims can be filed on the Louisiana website, www.LAWORKS.net. Mississippi will, in the near future, have a website on which claims can be filed.
State Alabama
Phone Number 1-866-234-5382
Louisiana - calls are being accepted daily until 7:00 pm Central Time. To file a claim, call 1-800-818-7811 For other help with unemployment claims, call 1-866-783-5567 To file a claim via the internet: www.LAWORKS.net For other help call 1-800-524-3578 Mississippi 1-888-844-3577
WIA Services Basic core services, including Wagner-Peyser funded services, can and should be provided to evacuees just as they can be to the general public. For these services there are no residential requirements and no eligibility requirements.
For additional services beyond basic core services, a Katrina evacuee would need to be registered as a WIA participant and determined eligible for intensive and training services. Eligibility requirements for the Adult WIA program, however, are very minimal and limited to being 18 years or older, having registered with Selective Service, and being authorized to work in the United States. Services to youth can be provided through the WIA formula grant and the Job Corps. A brief summary of available services is listed below. The Job Corps is making available to hurricane-impacted youth the slots that it has available, which can include both residential and training services. See the contact information below on how to contact Job Corps for more information. Formula Grants Job Corps
A. Services to both in-school and outof-school youth B. Assessment of needs and skill levels C. Occupational skills training
A. Residential Facilities (Housing)
B. Vocational Training C. Single Parent Child Care D. Staff Vacancies – Priority given to current Job Corps staff displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and then consideration for remaining vacancies given to all applicants E. All Job Corps Centers nationwide are reporting numbers of participant and staff vacancies to the National Job Corps Office. F. For current information, call either your local Job Corps Center, or Wendy Manning, National Office of Job Corps at 202-693-3104
D. Alternative secondary school offerings leading to a diploma or GED
E. Internships and other work experiences
F. Supportive services, including: housing and transportation assistance; child care assistance; housing assistance; referrals for medical services; and other community services G. Comprehensive guidance and counseling including substance abuse counseling
G. Job Corps has established a streamlined application procedure in order to enroll homeless youth expeditiously.
Lack of Identity and Eligibility Documentation Many evacuees will not have the standard documentation with them to verify their identity and their eligibility for services. You are asked not to deny needed services for the lack of documentation. Many programs permit the use of self-attestation to establish eligibility under these circumstances. The Department will be releasing a TEIN shortly that will outline specifics. Attached is an example of an attestation form. September 6, 2005 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will not sanction employers for hiring victims of Hurricane Katrina who, at this time, are unable to provide documentation normally required under Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act for the next 45 days. The DHS announcement is attached. You can also assist persons in obtaining replacement documentation. If you are a victim of Hurricane Katrina and are in need of replacement identification, you may visit any of the local drivers’ license offices at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for assistance. The DMV will record your personal information and validate it electronically with your home state and upon verification, issue an identification card. (USPS) United States Postal Service: Electronic change of addresses including temporary change of addresses can be filed online at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or by going to the nearest post office. Social Security 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778): The following web-site has the link where the USPS is establishing temporary mail delivery stations so you can pick up your Social Security Check along with other information for People affected by Hurricane Katrina: http://www.ssa.gov/emergency Some additional web sites are listed below for obtaining replacement documentation.
Documents U.S. Passport (unexpired or expired) Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) Permanent Resident Card (Form I-151); or Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph (Form I-551) Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688) Employment Authorization Card (Form I688A) Employment Authorization Card issued by DHS that contains a photograph (Form I688B) Source for Replacement Information
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/us/us_848.html http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/replace_cert.htm
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-695.htm http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/ead.htm
7. U.S. Military Card; or Draft Record Military dependents ID card U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
More specific information on available resources from the military services can be obtained from local military base officials. Relief information is also available for military members and their families via telephone. The following toll-free hotlines are available:
Military One Support Number (All services): 1-
800-342-9647 U.S. Marines: 1-800-847-1597 U.S. Army: 1-800-626-3317 National Guard: 1-888-777-7731 U.S. Air Force/Keesler Air Force Base: 1-800435-9941 U.S. Navy: 1-877-414-5358 DFAS Customer Contact Center: 1-888DFAS411 (332-7411) Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Center: 1-877-272-7337
8. U.S. Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment)
Discharged or Diseased Veterans: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/ http://www.ssa.gov/replace_sscard.html
Humanitarian Assistance Information Red Cross WWW.RedCross.org Phone: 202-303-4498 Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disastercaused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently. The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources. To find your local Red Cross Unit log on to: http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/where/where.html. Salvation Army WWW.SalvationArmyUSA.org Phone: 800-725-2769
In a disaster, The Salvation Army has the ability to provide both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help. Emergency response services are activated on short notice according to an agreed-upon notification procedure, while long-term recovery is strategically planned in response to the situation, through working and partnering and many other community entities. Even with the ability to be flexible and to respond based upon the community’s situation, there are several basic services that The Salvation Army offers in most major disasters. The following services form the core of The Salvation Army’s disaster services program: Food and Hydration Services; Emergency Shelter; Cleanup and Restoration; Donation Management; Spiritual and Emotional Care; Essential living supplies (clothing, medicine, bedding, or baby products); Emergency housing needs; Disaster-related medical or funeral expenses; and Emergency communications. To find your local Salvation Army log onto: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=& searchtab=search&searchtype=search&cat=salvation+army&ss=&city=&state=&zipcode =&fakeTab.x=0&fakeTab.y=0 Goodwill Industries WWW.Goodwill.org Phone: 877-782-3387 Goodwill Industries is one of the world’s largest nonprofit providers of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. To locate your nearest Goodwill Industries office log onto: http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/whatwedo. Catholic Charities http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ http://www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org/ Phone: 1-800-919-9338 Catholic Charities USA, responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. While Katrina's damage is still being evaluated, based on past disasters, the long-term services that Catholic Charities may provide include temporary and permanent housing, mental health counseling, direct assistance beyond food and water to get people back into their homes, job placement counseling, and medical and prescription drug assistance. To find your local Catholic Charities chapter log onto: http://www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org/ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofa/ Phone: 202.401.9275 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states the federal funds and wide flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs. To find your local TANF office, contact your local city or county municipality.