Being a house fire victim can be devastating. In an instant you can go from living in comfort to not knowing what to do or where you are going to live next. You could lose your clothes and valuable belongings … you could have nowhere to stay that very night.
The good news in a very bad situation is that if you have suffered a house fire and are looking for house fire victim assistance – help is available!
In fact, there are disaster agencies specifically set up to help you and your family get through this very difficult time.
In this article, we are going to take a look at the main agencies that provide house fire victim assistance, what they offer specifically and how you can get in touch with them.
Red Cross
The first agency you need to know is the American Red Cross. This is a private company that is funded through charitable donations.
Its mission is to provide assistance when disaster strikes – whether that is a large natural disaster like a tornado or earthquake or a single-family house fire.
In most cases, the Red Cross will be the fastest acting source of aid in the event of a disaster like a house fire and their aim is to attend to the most immediate needs of you and your family.
That means they will try to make sure that you have food, clothing and shelter (which could include a voucher for a several day stay at a local hotel).
In addition to all of that, they will also help you get necessary replacement medical devices and prescriptions. You may also be assigned a case worker who will work closely with you to help you get any additional assistance you need, such as temporary care for pets or cleanup kits if your house fire was minor and you want to try and stay in your home.
As for reaching the Red Cross, the local fire department will usually contact them on your behalf after a house fire. If, for some reason, they don’t do this you can simply ask Fire Department officials for the number and call them yourselves. The Fire Department should have that number.
Salvation Army
The second organization you should know about if you are in need of house fire victim assistance is the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army is a Christian-based service organization that also relies on charitable donations to provide aid to those in need.
While not generally as fast in response as the Red Cross – for example, you may have to fill out an application to ensure you qualify for help – they are a good resource for quick relief (a couple of days after the fire) and also long-term help following a house fire.
Aid you could receive from the Salvation Army includes food, clothing and shelter.
For example, they may be able to provide you with a short-term housing solution (such as a hotel or a temporary shelter) if you are not able to stay in our home following a house fire. They may also be able to give you a cleanup kit if your home is structurally sound and you do wish to stay in it.
Additional aid provided by the Salvation Army includes counseling, which can help you deal with the traumatic effects of being a house fire victim.
They also may have financial grants and other vouchers that you can use to replace lost items like furniture, home goods and more. You will need to financially qualify for the grants and vouchers though.
To reach the Salvation Army you can call 1-800-728-7825.
Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA
While the first two agencies that we have mentioned are private charitable organizations this third agency is part of the US government – that means that it comes with the most limitations and qualifications.
Still, despite this fact, it can be helpful in certain situations involving house fires. To receive assistance through FEMA, the first requirement is that your house fire must be the result of a “presidentially declared disaster,” which could include a tornado, earthquake, hurricane or wildfire.
If you meet the conditions, FEMA may be able to provide short-term housing and possible even rental or mortgage assistance. In addition, if you qualify for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program you may be able to receive help for repairs and for moving forward and getting on with your life.
If your house fire is not related to a “presidentially declared disaster” the agency won’t be able to provide direct assistance but may be able to help you find other local resources from which you can receive aid. To contact FEMA, call 1-800-621-3362.
Don’t Forget Your Insurance Company
Remember, in addition to seeking house fire victim assistance after a fire, you should also immediately contact your insurance company. This will help ensure that everything is handled properly so that you can be reimbursed by the company for the losses you sustained in the fire.
A good insurance company may also be able to direct you to the right resources to get assistance as they will most likely have helped other families in this situation in your area and from those experiences may know the best local agencies and groups to turn to.
So be sure to talk to your insurance agent and keep them informed as you move forward, especially if you decide to sell a fire-damaged house, as this can have implications on your insurance claim and coverage.
Another source of help can be the local community – neighbors and other local residents may hear about your story and want to help you and your family get back on your feet.
Following a fire one of the most important decisions you will need to make is whether you are going to repair your house and continue living there or if you are going to sell.
If you decide to sell a fire-damaged house, We Buy Fire Damaged Houses is known for buying houses in a variety of conditions. To learn more about the company and its buying process simply fill out the short form below.
Removing the stress of having a fire damaged house to sell can be a big relief and help you move forward faster after a fire. Just fill out the form below to learn more about We Buy Fire Damaged Houses.