如何处理 自然灾害

We often see news reports about earthquakes and other natural disasters. 这些事件似乎是发生在其他人身上的. But in the US, dozens of major disasters happen each year, causing millions to leave their homes.

A disaster can happen to anyone, whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane or tornado. 有一个计划会帮助你做出更好的判断. Keep reading to learn how to keep your head on straight while dealing with a disaster.

专注于你的 紧急的问题

在灾难中，你可能不知道如何继续前进. 不要强迫自己一次处理所有的事情. 相反，先处理最重要的事情.

最重要的是要考虑健康和 人身安全. 如果你或你所爱的人在灾难中受到身体伤害, 一定要尽快去看医生.

不要忽视你的 心理健康. 你是否感到悲伤、注意力不集中或麻木? 你是否发现自己陷入争吵或失眠? If so, contact the American Red Cross, which offers free 24/7 counseling and support. 拨打他们的灾难求助热线800.985.5990.

保护你的财产不受侵害也很重要 直接的危险. If a disaster damages your home, think about which damage needs to be fixed first. 如果地震或飓风造成了燃气泄漏，或者你怀疑是这样, 例如, 你会想马上把它修好的. (在这些灾难中一定要关掉煤气.) If your roof has a hole in it, get it fixed soon to avoid further damage.

Once you’ve attended to your health and any 直接的危险 at your home, 你可以转移到其他问题上，比如归档 保险索赔 并使 低优先级的维修.

很高兴知道

A disaster can happen to anyone, whether a wildfire, hurricane or tornado. 有一个计划会帮助你做出更好的判断.

保护 你的财务状况

灾难过后关注你的财务状况可能听起来很奇怪. But you’ll want to safeguard your money just as you would any physical property.

Take these steps to protect yourself financially after a natural disaster:

• 把你的支票簿、信用卡和借记卡放在安全的地方. After a disaster, contractors and other strangers might be wandering through your home. Keep these items in a locked safe to prevent anyone from accessing your financial information (and store the key to your safe elsew在这里).
• 保管好列出你社会保险的文件或物品, 生日, 以及其他个人信息. 如果有人拿到了这些数据，他们就可以 窃取你的身份 并以您的名义开立新的信用卡或贷款.
• 申请信贷冻结 if you’re worried that your personal information was lost or stolen during a disaster. You can set up a credit freeze through each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, 益百利, TransUnion. 这些部门之间互不联系, 所以你需要分别设置一个冻结.
• 如果您无法访问您的帐户, 打电话给你的银行申请一张新的借记卡, 信用卡或支票簿. 也, keep a watchful eye on your accounts to make sure t在这里’s no unusual activity. If your bank was affected by the disaster too, t在这里 might be glitches in its own records. So if you spot anything strange, call your bank right away to let them know.
• 接下来，监控你的信用评级. You can get a free credit report through all three credit bureaus at least once a year through Annual信贷Report.com.

处理 财产损失

如果你的家在灾难中被损坏或摧毁, 采取这些步骤来纠正错误.

1. 记录损坏情况. Take photos of the damage, ideally with your mobile phone, which will track the date and time. 拍摄清晰、详细的照片. 然后后退一步，也拍一些广角照片. 你的照片将成为你的保险公司有用的证据.
2. 请与保险公司联系，了解如何提出索赔. Your homeowners 保险 may help cover damage to your home as well as to belongings inside your home. If you’re a renter, your renters 保险 should cover personal items inside your unit. Your auto 保险 policy may pay for damage to your car, depending on the policy. If you file a claim, keep in mind that you may have to pay a deductible.
3. 收集房屋维修费用的估算. This can help you figure out how much money you’ll need to request from your 保险 company. 你的保险公司也可能会派一名检查员到你家去检查损坏情况.
4. 尽快提出索赔. 提交保险索赔并收到这笔钱可能需要一段时间. 也, 如果自然灾害影响了你社区的很多人, then 保险 companies may get backed up trying to deal with all of the claims.
5. 如果你必须离开你的家，告诉你的保险代理人. If your home is severely damaged, you might need to live somew在这里 else while it’s being repaired. Your homeowners or renter’s policy may help pay for a hotel or other temporary lodging.
6. 如果需要额外的住房援助，可以向联邦应急管理局寻求帮助. If your homeowners or renter’s policy doesn’t pay for temporary housing — or pays for only some of it — contact 联邦应急管理局. You may be eligible for financial help if the President has declared the disaster a major disaster. (您可以查看您所在社区的灾难状态 在这里.)
7. 联系你的 州应急管理机构 寻求帮助 如果需要.

很高兴知道

Patelco已经 一个很棒的资源页面 to help you find local help with things like food, medical care, 公用事业公司.

知道 你的权利

During a disaster, you might face medical bills or other unexpected expenses. If a disaster affects 你的财务状况, rest assured that you’re not alone. Support is available and you have the right to ask 寻求帮助 with bills, fees, paperwork and more.

If you’re struggling financially after a disaster, start by getting organized. 列出必要的账单和开支清单，包括:

• 按揭或租金
• 偿还债务，比如学生贷款
• 保险
• 手机
• 公用事业公司

然后联系你的供应商并解释你的情况. 许多公司都有相应的政策来帮助像你这样的人, 谁经历过自然灾害或大灾难.

挑战:你正在努力支付抵押贷款或房租.

立即联系你的抵押贷款机构或房东，让他们知道.

你有权要求帮助你偿还住房贷款. 询问你的抵押贷款公司有哪些困难选择. 他们可能会提供一个忍耐计划, 哪一种可以让你少付一些钱，甚至跳过一些钱. (当然，你以后还得付钱.)

If you’re having trouble making rent payments, your landlord might be willing to waive any late fees. And if your home is damaged, you have a right to ask for a rent discount.

Challenge: Your home was destroyed and you need financial help to rebuild.

如果你的房子损坏到无法修复， 联邦住房管理局可以帮你获得抵押贷款 重建或购买新房——不付首付款.

挑战:你在支付学生贷款上有困难.

联邦学生贷款有特殊规定 自然灾害忍耐项目 that you can apply for if you were affected by a federally declared disaster. A forbearance program allows you to stop making payments for a period of time. (记住，利息会不断增加.)

Challenge: You can’t afford to pay your energy company or Internet provider.

Utility companies may be willing to work with you, so give your provider a call.

Challenge: You’re worried that you might fall behind on your credit card bills.

联系你的信用卡公司. A customer service agent may be able to offer you flexibility until you get back on your feet.

Challenge: You need to connect with an affordable 心理健康 provider.

联系社会服务的一个好方法是211, 哪一个可以帮你联系当地的代理机构. 不要害怕联系当地的非营利组织. 许多是为了帮助人们应对灾难而设计的.

You may have to swallow your pride to call these companies and ask them 寻求帮助. 但请记住，很多人都愿意帮忙. 他们不会只是打电话自愿提供支持, 虽然, 所以你必须勇敢地向他们伸出援手.

Keep in mind that your employer may also have resources that you can tap into. 和你的人力资源部谈谈，看看他们能提供什么.