Community Resources
Our community has been through a difficult stretch following the severe storms and widespread power outage.
We know many families are still working to get back to normal. Below is a Community Resource Handout with helpful information and local resources available to residents during this time.
Revised 8-22-2026
State Disaster Relief Fund – Individual Assistance
The State Disaster Relief Fund applies only to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. State funding cannot replace insurance coverage, which is the primary and best source of protection from storm damage. The fund only covers the costs of repairing, replacing, or restoring the applicant’s primary residence and cannot be used to pay insurance deductibles.
Website: https://on.in.gov/sdrf
Replacement of SNAP Benefits – State Form 40988
In Indiana, if your power was out for at least four hours and your refrigerated or frozen food spoiled, you can get replacement SNAP benefits. You must report the loss to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) within 10 days of the outage by calling
1-800-403-0864 and filing a food loss affidavit. For the recent outages, the date has been extended to Monday, August 31.
Website: https://www.in.gov/fssa/
DownlThe Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Call/text: 1-800-985-5990
Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/disaster-distress-helpline
Mobile Market by Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
To sign up for text alerts, text “MARKET” to (219) 500-6464
Food Safety
https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage
Indiana 2-1-1
Dial 211 for local community, health, and human service resources.
Community Help Network
www.communityhelpnet.org | (219) 805-3717
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is urgently trying to locate homeowners and renters in Merrillville and surrounding communities whose homes were heavily damaged or destroyed during the recent severe weather event. Financial assistance may be available to eligible individuals and families. If your home or apartment sustained major damage or was destroyed, please get in touch with the American Red Cross as soon as possible.
Call: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
