Storm Season/Disaster FAQs

What is Employees 1st?

Employees 1st is a program designed to help employees who have had something catastrophic happen in their lives that prevents them from paying for household living essentials.

What are basic living essentials?

The IRS defines this as food, shelter, transportation, medical supplies.

Evacuation/Displacement Disaster Relief (Federally-Declared Disaster)

What is Evacuation/Displacement Disaster Relief?

After a Federally-declared disaster, short term relief is available to help with evacuation expenses for the duration of 30 days. Examples of evacuation expenses are assistance with a hotel/AirBNB, gas for a car or generator etc. The application process is quick with processing happening within 2-3 business days.

How does an employee qualify for Evacuation/Displacement Disaster Relief?

  • Employee’s total household income falls below $80,000

  • Employee was under mandatory evacuation orders (no income level requirement)

  • Employee’s primary residence is uninhabitable due to storm impact (no income level requirement)

Long Term Disaster Relief (Federally-Declared Disaster)

What is Long Term Disaster Relief (Federally-Declared)?

After a Federally-declared disaster, long term relief is available to help with repair expenses to an employee’s primary residence and/or vehicle.

What are examples of qualifying circumstances related to Long Term Disaster Relief (Federally-Declared)?

  • Employee cannot afford to pay the deductible for their home insurance

  • Employee cannot afford expenses to an employee’s primary residence and/or vehicle

Disaster Relief (Non-Federally-Declared Disaster)

What is Disaster Relief (Non Federally Declared)?

Disaster Relief is available for losses from any kind of weather event such as a tornado, rainstorm, forest fire, tsunami, winter storm or other natural disaster outside of a Federally-declared event.

An employee must prove that as a result of the weather event, they cannot afford basic living essentials. Examples include employee cannot afford to pay home insurance deductible, they lost food or perishable items when the power was out or employee cannot afford repairs to their primary home.

How does an employee qualify for Disaster Relief assistance (Non Federally Declared)?

The employee must list their total monthly household expenses. We look to see what if any disposable income is left over. Then we look to see what the cost of the emergency is and can clearly determine if the employee can afford to pay for the emergency. If they cannot afford to pay for the emergency, the employee would be APPROVED for assistance. If they can afford the emergency, they would be DECLINED for assistance. 

What are examples of circumstances/items the program DOES NOT pay for?

  • The program does not pay for downed fences (unless the fence somehow landed on your home and made it uninhabitable)

  • The program does not pay for damaged sheds, boat houses, warehouses, workstations

  • The program does not pay for damage to a secondary home or vehicle

  • The program does not pay for debris clean up

  • The program does not pay for luxury items like TVs, game consoles

What do I need to include when applying?

Helpful information an employee should include when applying:

  • A copy of their home owner’s insurance policy

  • Any receipts related to storm expenses such as hotel, gas, food, generator, water, hurricane supplies

  • Pictures of damage

  • Invoices for repairs