As we’re all aware, Hurricane Sandy left a huge swath of destruction through the northeast United States.

Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia have been hit hard not only by the effects of the hurricane, but also by the massive flooding and tragic fires that came in its wake.

The daily media reports on this disaster can be difficult to fully comprehend: More than 100 dead, tens of thousands injured, tens of thousands homeless or still without power, and losses in the billions of dollars.

Several thousand letter carriers and other members of our postal family are among those hardest hit.

The USPS is a fixture in every community, by both our work and our family lives. That means whenever disaster strikes, some of us are always in the path of danger.

But the fact that we are embedded in every community is also one of our greatest strengths!

When some of us need help, there are NALC members a hundredfold across the country, standing ready, willing and able to give them a lift up.

We always have and we always will take care of our own.

For those of you who were impacted by Sandy, we’ve put together information and resource materials to help members deal with the recovery process.

Thrift Savings Plan: Help for victims of Hurricane Sandy

The TSP has made temporary changes to the financial hardship withdrawal rules for participants affected by Hurricane Sandy. These changes allow participants who were affected by Hurricane Sandy or who had a family member affected by Hurricane Sandy to take a hardship withdrawal and to continue making TSP contributions in the 6-month period after the hardship withdrawal. As of November 21, 2012, the TSP will treat any Financial Hardship In-Service Withdrawal Request as a qualifying hardship provided you meet all of the necessary criteria. Click here to download the informational PDF.

If your branch was impacted by Hurricane Sandy

Below are links to information NALC has consolidated on the many benefits for which members are eligible.

Red Cross:
►Find Help
►Picking Up the Pieces After a Disaster: Important Steps for Your Safe and Speedy Recovery
►Recovering Financially

FEMA:
►DisasterAssistance.gov

USPS Employee Assistance Program:
►Dealing with the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster
►Coping with the Aftermath of a Flood
►Common Responses to Traumatic Events
►Emergency Resources

PERF:
►How to make a claim

AFL-CIO:
►Recovery Resources and Volunteer Opportunities from the AFL-CIO for Hurricane Sandy

Union Plus:
►Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants

United Way:
►United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund

Please check back frequently for updates on new benefits and programs as they become available.

If your branch wasn’t impacted by Hurricane Sandy

For those who weren’t impacted, please post this flier about our own Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF) today.

Please commit to reaching out to your co-workers, family members and friends and ask them to make a personal donation to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF).

PERF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization operated by the various union and management organizations of the U.S. Postal Service to solely benefit postal employees.

Tax-deductible donations can be made in a variety of ways:
►online using your credit card
►by sending a check directly to the fund by mail
►By contributing through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by designating #10268
►from your cell phone by texting the word PERF to 50555. *

* $10.00 donation to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund. Charges will appear on your wireless bill or will be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555  to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full Terms: mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy.

Be creative in your fundraising, because every dollar counts.

NALC members who need assistance in getting help can contact NALC Community and Membership Outreach Coordinator Pam Donato at 202-662-2489.

Click here to read President Rolando's letter to branch presidents.