Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
Loans
Emergency Loan Program
(Separate Website)
USDA?s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine.
By: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Spanish / Espaņol
Financial Help After a Disaster for Older Georgians
If you are an older person who has been affected by a disaster, health problems or a limited income may make it more difficult for you to recover. Three Federal agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA) are working together to assist you.
By: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Agencies on Aging, Small Business Administration
Fact Sheet about Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
In the wake of hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, tornados and other physical disasters, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plays a major role. SBA's disaster loans are the primary form of Federal assistance for nonfarm, private sector disaster losses. For this reason, the disaster loan program is the only form of SBA assistance not limited to small businesses. Disaster loans from SBA help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations fund rebuilding. SBA's disaster loans are a critical source of economic stimulation in disaster ravaged communities, helping to spur employment and stabilize tax bases.
By: Small Business Administration
Taxes
Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
(Separate Website)
Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the President declares their location to be a major disaster area. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes. Both individuals and businesses in a presidentially-declared disaster area can get a faster refund by claiming losses related to the disaster on the tax return for the previous year, usually by filing an amended return.
By: Internal Revenue Service
Other Information
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
Disaster Relief - Housing
Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(Separate Website)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency - a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 - is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters.
By: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Spanish / Espaņol
Georgia Emergency Management Agency Homepage
(Separate Website)
Provides links and resources for Katrina survivors as well as emergency information for Georgians
Property Rights
HUD Hotline for Section 8 & Public-Housing Residents
(Separate Website)
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced that HUD has established a Public and Indian Housing Resource Information Center, and a toll-free number, 1-800-955-2232, to assist displaced public housing residents and Section 8 voucher holders. Through its 80 field offices, HUD has also provided policy guidance to the nation?s 3,200 Public Housing Authorities on how to assist displaced families as they relocate to other areas.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Information from HUD for Those Affected By Disasters
(Separate Website)
Information on rights in regards to mortgages, forclosure, relief programs and other housing issues
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Picking Up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities After a Disaster This report outlines the process that a community that has suffered a disaster can expect to go through. The report also describes the different types of help communities can get to help with housing problems after a disaster.
By: Housing Assistance Council
Legal Aid
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
After A Disaster
After a Disaster: Hiring a Contractor
(Separate Website)
If your house has been damaged by a natural disaster snow/ice, fire, flood or earthquake, a reputable contractor can help you get your home repaired. Unfortunately, disasters sometimes bring out home repair rip-off artists, who overcharge, perform shoddy work and often leave without finishing the job. What can you do to find a quality contractor? The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency can offer a few tips.
By: Federal Trade Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency
After a Disaster: Repairing Your Home
(Separate Website)
If your house has been damaged by a natural disaster - flood, fire, snow/ice, tornado or earthquake - chances are you're on the hunt for a reputable contractor to help with repair and restoration. Inevitably, the demand for qualified contractors after a disaster usually exceeds the supply. Enter the home repair rip-off artist, who may overcharge, perform shoddy work or skip town without finishing your job.
By: Federal Trade Commission
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Spanish / Espaņol
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
Home and Personal Property Disaster Loans
(Separate Website)
If you are in a declared disaster area and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration - even if you don't own a business. As a homeowner, renter and/or personal-property owner, you may apply to the SBA for a loan to help you recover from a disaster.
By: U.S. Small Business Administration
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Spanish / Espaņol
Disaster Relief - Insurance
Insurance
Liability Insurance
(Separate Website)
The liability portion of your homeowner's policy is designed to cover unintentional injuries on the premises and unintentional damage to other people's property. In other words, injuries caused by your negligence are covered; those you inflict on purpose are not covered.
Here are a few tips on how to cover yourself adequately. Remember, it takes only one person who is seriously injured by your negligence to generate a huge liability award and deplete your financial nest egg, not to mention your psychological well being.
By: American Bar Association
Legal Aid
American Bar Association's Hurricane Relief Page
(Separate Website)
Contains pro bono resources for hurricane survivors and other information.
By: American Bar Association
Answers to Common Legal Questions after a Disaster This document answers common legal questions often asked by people affected by natural disasters (i.e., floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, etc.) in Georgia.
By: State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division
Other Information
Be Prepared: Be Ready for a Disaster
Keep important documents, cash, and other paperwork close by for an emergency in case you have to leave your home and can't return quickly.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
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