Financial First Aid

When survivors of Hurricane Sandy were asked what they wished they would have done before the storm, one of the top five responses was collecting and safely storing important personal financial documents. A FEMA survey conducted in 2011 showed that less than 35 percent of Americans report having copies of their vital records stored as part of their preparedness kit.

FEMA, together with Operation HOPE, released an updated tool to support emergency financial preparedness. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit(EFFAK) helps individuals and families at all income levels collect and secure critical financial documents and information. The updated EFFAK includes new checklists and forms that can be filled out online and saved electronically. You can access the updated EFFAK on the FEMA or Operation HOPE websites.

Learn more about this valuable tool and how it can help your family! Take a look at this new video from FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Operation HOPE founder and CEO John Hope Bryant as they discuss the importance of financial preparedness.

The America’s PrepareAthon! campaign also offers financial preparedness support materials, including the “Be Smart. Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables” guide.

Remember, disaster preparedness extends beyond storing water and supplies. Having a plan to pay your bills and access your important records and accounts will help you on the road to recovery.

Thanks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for this information.