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Social Security Benefits
Food Stamps
Cash Assistance
Other Financial Aid Legal Resources (Including Tax Info.)


Social Security Benefits

Continuing to receive and applying for Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration is attempting to ensure that monthly payments get to beneficiaries affected by Hurricane Katrina. Social Security Administration Hurricaneevacuees may also call 1-888-524-3578 between 7 a. m. and t 7 p. m. for information on social security benefits.

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Food Stamps

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food Stamp Program
The Food Stamp Program enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Food stamp recipients spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores. A resource to find eligibility information and how to apply is at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Q&A on Katrina-Related food Stamp Provisions
USDA Questions and Answers on issues relating to evacuees

Food and Nutrition Service - Food Stamp Information
No one should go hungry in America. FNS provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. We help nearly one in five people. Check out our programs to see if we can help you or your family.

Disaster Assistance from the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is responsible for providing nutrition assistance for disaster-affected areas requiring a Federal response.

Disaster Food Stamps
In disasters, food stamp assistance may include replacement benefits for current recipients as well as Disaster Food Stamps (DSFP) for those not currently enrolled.

Disaster Food Stamps in Louisiana and Mississippi
USDA has approved Disaster Food Stamp Programs in Louisiana and Mississippi. Louisiana's program began on September 2nd and Mississippi began its program in select counties on September 13th.

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Cash Assistance

Bush Signs Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (NEW)
Congress has extended retirement plan tax relief to victims of Hurricanes Rita and Wilma. The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 relaxes the tax rules; to benefit, the victims must have had their principal residence in the Rita disaster area as of Sept. 23, 2005 or in the Wilma disaster area as of Oct. 23, 2005. Similar relief already has been afforded to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

FEMA
This site provides instructions and contact information for obtaining financial assistance ($2000 per household) for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
This site provides instructions and contact information for parents and guardians of children ages birth to five who have lost their homes due to Hurricane Katrina. Head Start and Early Head Start centers provide comprehensive child development programs that include nutritious meals, family support and health services. Parents are welcomed in the center and are part of their child's Head Start or Early Head Start experiences. Head Start and Early Head Start programs also provide family support services, and emergency or crisis assistance to families.

TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
This site provides instructions and contact information on family benefits and services to encourage the care of children in their own homes or in the homes of relatives, including temporary cash payments, work and job training services and child care assistance for parents engaged in work and training activities.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
This site provides instructions and contact information on a federally-funded program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating and/or cooling needs.

Displaced and Foster Children
This site provides instructions and contact information for support services to children and their families and, in some cases, provides a place outside of the home for children to live until their family problems are resolved.

Job Connection for Victims of Katrina
This site provides instructions and contact information for getting a job whether you are in your home state or have been relocated to another state.

IRS Grants Tax Relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims
This site provides information on qualifying for IRS tax relief for those persons affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina Unemployment Benefits and Disaster Unemployment Assistance
This site provides instructions and contact information for obtaining unemployment benefits and assistance.

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Other Financial Aid Legal Resources

IRS Filing Deadline Extended to October 16, 2006 in Mississippi
The Mississippi State Tax Commission will follow the most recent extension granted by the Internal Revenue Service. This extension provides additional time to file 2004 and 2005 individual income tax returns through October 16, 2006 for certain affected taxpayers hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. This extension will apply to affected taxpayers filing the following individual income tax returns only.

IRS Filing Deadline Extended to October 16, 2006 for Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Revenue, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is providing additional time to file 2004 and 2005 individual income tax returns through October 16, 2006. The additional time is for certain affected taxpayers hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.


Hurricane Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act
This document, created by Debevoise & Plimpton explains the provisions of the Hurricane Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act and the extension qualifications.

Morrison & Foerster Katrina Helping Handbook - Financial Aid/Public Benefits
Resource materials with the answers to frequently asked legal questions for those displaced by Katrina. The Financial Aid - Public Benefits section begins at page 51.

Morrison & Foerster Katrina Helping Handbook - Personal Finances
Resource materials with the answers to frequently asked legal questions for those displaced by Katrina. The Personal Finances section begins at page 43.

Morrison & Foerster Katrina Helping Handbook - Taxes
Resource materials with the answers to frequently asked legal questions for those displaced by Katrina. The Taxes section begins at page 54.

Morrison & Foerster Katrina Helping Handbook - Employment Questions
Resource materials with the answers to frequently asked legal questions for those displaced by Katrina. The Your Job section begins at page 72.

Statewide Web Sites
Othervaluable sources of legal information are the statewide web sites in each of these states. Legal information on Financial Aidcan be found by clicking on your state below: