Landlord Tenant
It’s close to the end of the month. Paula wonders if she is going to have to pay her rent, given that she’s not in her home and she’s heard that one of her two bedrooms is damaged.
Depends. Is it destroyed, habitable, needs repair?
Paula had renters insurance, and needs to file a claim for her belongings that were damaged or destroyed. Her insurance company seems really on top of things – they have already sent her a check. Should she cash it?
Under protest
Paula was totally willing to work those 20 hours at work the day of the fire, and in fact volunteered to stay and help. But should she get overtime for those extra hours?
Absolutely
Paula’s sister JoAnn owns a home on the other side of town, and her house was completely destroyed, burned down to the foundation. JoAnn just received a call from her mortgage company, reminding her that her mortgage is overdue. Must she pay it?
Yes
JoAnn goes to the DRC to apply for cash benefits through FEMA, to cover the costs of buying all new clothes. She learns that she must have a state-issued ID to receive benefits. But she fled the fire without her purse, and has nothing. What can she do?
Birth certificate, SSA, DMV
Paula has paid her rent. On the third of the month, though, she gets a call from her landlord, telling her that she needs to move out, as he is going to take this opportunity to pull down the building and rebuild a fancier building. Paula has one year left on her lease, and does not want to have to move. She is sure that the cost of housing will go up in Pleasantville since the fire destroyed quite a few homes and apartment buildings. Does she have to move?
No, unless the building is destroyed.
JoAnn, Paula’s sister, owns a house on the other side of town, and her house was completely destroyed. She has been forced to live in a motel out of town. What funds can help her pay for that hotel?
Insurance
Paula’s sister JoAnne has been asked to return to her job at a plant nursery. They want to her to help clean up the outdoor areas of the nursery. JoAnn is worried because the air in that area is still very harmful to breathe, especially if she is doing physical work. Can they force her to do this work?
Only if they provide adequate protection
Paula and JoAnn’s elderly mother lives in a nice shady mobile home park on the edge of town. Mom got out safely, with her 12 cats – but her mobile home was completely destroyed. All that is left is the pad on which the mobile home sits. Must Mom pay the upcoming rent?
Yes
Paula went to FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center and was delighted to find many providers to offer assistance, including some very nice people from the Disaster Legal Aid Collaborative. At the DRC, she filled out an application for FEMA benefits, which will help her pay for a rental car and to replace some of the things that she lost. She tells her friend Consuela about it, as Consuela’s family lost everything in the fire. But Consuela asks her, do I qualify for FEMA benefits, given that I am undocumented? What about my three-year-old, who is a citizen?
Yes, through kid. Risks?