USCG
HEADQUARTERS

District 8

District 8 Hotline:  1-800-787-8724 (U.S. Coast Guard Members Only)
Hurricane Relief Legal Assistance: 1-866-811-3323,
http://www.uscg.mil/d8/hurricane/ (U.S. Coast Guard Members Only)

Hurricane Katrina Information Site

"NEW INFO ON LEGAL RESOURCES PAGE"

14 Sept 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA CRITICAL HOUSING AREAS:
Message

09 Sept 2005
AAFES Waives Interest and Suspends Payments on Credit Accounts Impacted by Hurricane Katrina
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) announced it is waiving interest and suspending monthly payment requirements to Exchange Credit Program cardholders displaced by Hurricane Katrina. AAFES record show there are approximately 15,000 accounts impacted in undeliverable zip codes. Officials say no interest will be charged; and no payments will be due for an undetermined period of time. The interest rate and payment exclusion will also apply to new purchases for an extended time period. AAFES determined eligibility by matching accounts to the U.S.  Postal Service's listing of impacted zip codes. Affected areas in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi include:  All Exchange Credit Program cardholders displaced by Hurricane Katrina can contact Customer Service at the nearest Exchange, call 1-877-991-7827, or visit http://www.aafes.com/ to update their contact information.

 

URGENT

All civilian employees who evacuated as a result of Hurricane Katrina, must

immediately call the USCG St. Louis Command Center on

314-539-3900, extension 2337, 2338, or 2340 and ask for Ms Jean Fifer or Ms. Lori Matherne.........more updated info

COAST GUARD MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL WHO GET THIS INFORMATION, PLEASE HELP US GET THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION OUT TO OTHER COAST GUARD MILITARY/CIVILIANS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. 
 

USEFUL FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) also set up a special Web page with Frequently asked questions and other helpful information, including an up-to-date database detailing the operational status of financial institutions at:

http://www.ncua.gov/Katrina/KatrinaFAQ.htm#b

Detailed Louisiana Financial institution information if available at:

 http://www.ofi.louisiana.gov/

In-State    1-888-525-9414
Banking    1-866-783-5530
Securities  1-866-783-5469

• Office of Financial Institutions (banks, thrifts, and credit unions)

• Local Number - (225)925-4660

If Louisiana customers do not have Internet access or need further assistance, they should call the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions.  They will help you obtain information about your specific financial institution.

The Mississippi contact for financial institutions is the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, State of Mississippi: http://www.dbcf.state.ms.us/index.htm Local: 601.359.1031, WATS: 800.844.2499, Fax: 601.359.3557

The Alabama contact for financial institutions is: State of Alabama State Banking Department, P.O. Box 4600, Montgomery, AL 36103-4600, (334) 242-3452
(334) 242-3500 (FAX).

For credit unions located in Alabama, dial 1-800-827-6282, extension 3049. By email, you can send a message to KatrinaAL@ncua.gov.

OTHER FINANCIAL CONTACTS FOR CUSTOMERS IN ALL AREAS:

• Thrift Website –http://www.ots.treas.gov Phone: 1-(800)842-6929

• National Bank Website – http://www.occ.treas.gov
   Phone: 1(800)613-6743

Federal and state financial authorities have strongly recommended that financial institutions assist people in the Katrina affected areas by taking these steps:

• Waiving ATM fees for customers and non-customers

• Increasing ATM daily cash withdrawal limits

• Easing restrictions on cashing out-of-state and non-customer checks

• Waiving overdraft fees as a result of paycheck interruption

• Waiving early withdrawal penalties on time deposits

• Waiving availability restrictions on insurance checks

• Allowing loan customers to defer or skip some payments

• Waiving late fees for credit card and other loan balances due to interruption of mail

and/or billing statements or the customer's inability to access funds

• Easing credit card limits and credit terms for new loans

• Delaying delinquency notices to the credit bureau

Civilian Employee Pay Assistance. Civilian employees who do not receive their pay or are otherwise unable to access it should contact the Coast Guard Human Resources Servicing Office, Norfolk, VA at: 757-628-4766 or 4767.  These phone lines are staffed to provide special assistance, coordinated with the Coast Guard Headquarters Civilian Personnel Office.  

The information in this document is also posted on CG Central and the Coast Guard Civilian Personnel Office website
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgpc/cpm/home/index1.htm
 

Other related links:
 

Selected Coast Guard Messages:
Hurricane Evacuation
Personnel Service Center (PSC) Information
Message: Hurricane Katrina Response and Recovery
Message: Alternate Safe Haven Designation

Donations& Care Packages: (Update) 04 Sept 05
(U.S. Coast Guard Member and their Families Only)

In addition to the Combined Federal Campaign (http://www.opm.gov/cfc/) and the many other charitable organizations that are providing assistance to those affected by Hurricane Katrina, one way to directly help our own people is through Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, which has established a fund specifically for Hurricane Katrina relief. In this difficult time, many members and their families will once again reach out for this help. For those who are interested, information about how to donate to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance can be obtained at http://www.cgmahq.org/.

PAYDAY (Update) 02 Sept 05
(U.S. Coast Guard Members Only)

Due to Hurricane Katrina, the banks and credit unions in LA, AL, and MS have implemented contingency procedures. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has completed payroll for the September 1, 2005 payday. Electronic funds transfers (EFT) have been provided to the Federal Reserve Banks and Treasury checks have been mailed. For those members, employees, and retirees impacted by Hurricane Katrina either due to living in the vicinity of the disaster areas or maintaining accounts in the area, the Federal Reserve Bank, the FDIC, and the Banking and Credit Union Associations have implemented procedures to pull the EFT files into their alternate banking and credit union sites where possible.  If a military member or civilian employee cannot access an account in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area, recommend contacting the home office or your financial institution. Most banks and credit unions should have the EFT funds deposited into account holders accounts within the next 24 to 48 hours.
 

PAYDAY (Why you didn't get paid!) - 01 Sept 05
(U.S. Coast Guard Members Only)

For Coast Guard Families Offering / Needing A Place to Live Temporarily
(update: 02 Sept 05)

The D8 IMT Personnel Cell (located at ISC St. Louis) is taking incoming calls from CG personnel and other good Samaritans offering room and board for displaced CG personnel and their families, not only in the hurricane affected area, but nation wide.  CG personnel and their families displaced by Hurricane Katrina and needing this support are encouraged to contact the Personnel Cell with their needs.  The Cell will facilitate contact between the displaced members and the people offering to help.

The phone numbers to call are (314) 539-3900 ext 2337, 2338 or 2340. (U.S. Coast Guard Members and their families Only)