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Your Financial Go-Bag

Your Financial Go-Bag

A quick checklist to get your financial ducks in a row in case of a disaster. Include this as part of your larger disaster preparedness plan for your household. We recommend storing these important documents either in a safety deposit box, an external drive or on the cloud to make it easy to access during a disaster. 

Household Documents

  • Photo ID
  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Security card
  • Military service records
  • Pet ID tags and records

Financial & Legal Document

  • Housing payment records
  • Insurance policies
  • Income records
  • Credit and recurring payment records
  • Tax statements

Medical Documents

  • Physician contact information
  • Health insurance documents
  • Immunization records
  • Medications and prescription records

Insurance Documentation

Having insurance for your home or business property is the best way to make sure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild or replace whatever is damaged. Document and insure your property now.

Household Contact Information

  • Banking institutions
  • Insurance agents
  • Health professionals
  • Service providers

Social Security Benefits & Beyond

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:

  • Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal benefits you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online.
  • The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper.

Consider using online and mobile banking services, if you are able. These services enable you to practice social distancing and conduct banking transactions at the same time. For more information visit https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/covid-19.html.