SSI or Social Security benefits Many of the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina are elderly or disabled and receive SSI or Social Security benefits. These individuals normally receive their checks by the first of each month either by mail or direct deposit. As mail service has been shut down in many of the affected areas and bank accounts may not be accessible, many individuals are left without their SSI or Social Security checks. Anyone from an affected area who receives SSI or Social Security payments may get an immediate replacement of their check by going into any Social Security office in the United States. Identification is preferred, but the Social Security Administration states that they will make sure anyone who needs a replacement check gets it, even if they have no identification. They will also allow the evacuee to pick up their check at the Social Security Office of their choice until they have a more permanent address. When an evacuee establishes a forwarding address for their mail, the United States Postal Service has made some changes to assist these individuals. The Post Office normally charges a one dollar fee for changing an address online or by phone. For anyone from an affected zip code, the Post Office has waived the one dollar charge. If they cannot go online or phone to change the address, they can go into any Post Office and fill out a change of address form for free. They also have the option of mailing in a change of address form to the Post Office, which is also free of charge, but it may take longer to get the address changed. For more information contact: Jeff Wamble, Program Planner DHS, Families First Policy 400 Deaderick St. 12th Flr Nashville, TN 37248 615-313-5760