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Handbooks:

There are a number of comprehensive handbooks available online providing essential overviews and contact information for families dealing with the September 11th attacks:

• Helping Handbook - Produced by the Morrison & Foerster law firm, this handbook - in an easy-to-understand "question and answer" format - covers all issues relating to death certificates, wills, state and federal aid to victims, unemployment assistance, life and health insurance, and immigration, among other things. It also is available in Spanish.

Other Noteworthy Resources:

All Services

• The September 11th Assistance Guide. The 9/11 United Services Group is pleased to announce the launch of The September 11th Assistance Guide – a comprehensive online directory of over 160 services, programs and agencies that are still available to individuals affected in various ways by the events of September 11th. The Assistance Guide’s targeted search capability helps Service Coordinators and individuals affected by 9/11 locate the programs and agencies working to meet their specific needs. As the most extensive searchable, online directory of current 9/11-related help, the Assistance Guide can be accessed by anyone with Internet access.

• The New York City Government Web site also offers printable forms and death certificate information.

Emergency Assistance and Contact Numbers

• The New York Times maintains a current listing of resources and contact information on relief efforts and charity donations, health and safety issues, victim and missing persons updates, business and unemployment assistance, child-related needs and concerns, transportation news, and other 9-11 matters.
• The New York City Government Web site also offers a comprehensive listing of City-specific emergency assistance programs and information.
  
  
• The Safe Horizons Family Assistance Center and Crisis Support Center helps victims and relatives apply for emergency expenses to cover rent, utilities, groceries, etc., as well as funeral expenses and longer-term counseling. The group works with individuals and families to calm them and assist in their grief, and refer them to other appropriate services. 866-689-4357.
  
  
• The WTC Disaster Counseling Service is a multi-disciplinary team providing free on-site crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and referrals for ongoing treatment for people in the New York area directly and indirectly affected by the events of September 11th. Counseling services are available in Chinese and Spanish. Contact them at HHC141@hotmail.com or 646-742-8521 or (212) 562-4708, 9 am to 5 pm weekdays.
  
  
• The New York State Association of Realtors has set up a fund to ensure the rapid distribution of mortgage and rental assistance to those families who lost a spouse or significant other during the attacks. Through November 20, more than $3.65 million was already in the process of being distributed to more than 582 families
  
  
• American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program
  (877) 746-4987
  (800) 662-1220 TTY
  
  
• American Red Cross Blood Donations
  (800) GIVE-LIFE
  
  
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  (800) 462-9029
  Hours: 8am – 8pm Monday thru Saturday
  
  
• New York State Crime Victims Board
  (disaster assistance)
  (800) 247-8035

Employment

• Emergency Employment Clearinghouse
  Helping displaced workers and spouses of 9/11 victims find employment. Will provide free customized skills assessments and training, counseling, job placement, education, referrals, support and information services. Call EEC's hotline at 212 558-2261 for information or an appointment with a career advisor. Volunteer attorneys who have specific questions relating to their clients should contact Mike Frey at (212) 647-1912 or email him at MFrey@CWE.org.

Financial Services

• The National Financial Planning Support Center
  Over 300 credentialed financial planner professionals, who are members of FPA, have been recruited to help the victims of September 11th.
  
  
• Connecticut Community Accounting Aid and Services
  Offering free tax assistance and financial advice to victims of 9/11. Contact John Collins, Executive Director, at (860) 570-9113 to find a volunteer CPA.
  
  
• New York State Society of CPAs - World Trade Center Volunteer Help Center Task Force
  Offering free tax assistance, financial advice, general accounting, and assistance with federal and state benefits, to victims of 9/11. Contact David Cho, Program Coordinator, at 212 719-8356 to find an appropriate volunteer.
  
  
• Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants
  Offering free tax assistance and financial advice to victims of 9/11. Contact Michael Baker, Government Affairs Coordinator, at (800) 392-6145 or (617) 556-4000 to find a volunteer CPA.
  
  
• New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants Help Center
  Offering free tax assistance and financial advice to victims of 9/11. Call NJSCPA at (973) 226-4494 or visit their website to submit an online request for a volunteer CPA.
  
  
• CPA's for USA -- Mid-Hudson Chapter of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
  Offering free tax assistance and financial advice to victims of 9/11. Contact Gary J. Cassiello at (845) 652-9500 for a volunteer CPA.

Health Services

• American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program - Health Services
  The American Red Cross continues to provide financial assistance for health services to individuals who suffered a verifiable, physical injury or illness or exacerbation of an illness as a result of their presence in the immediate vicinity of the World Trade Center, Pentagon or Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001 or during the recovery efforts.
  
  
• American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program - Health Insurance Subsidy Program
  The American Red Cross has developed a program to provide subsidies to cover the full out-of-pocket cost of health insurance premiums for eligible individuals and households.

Mental Health

• 1-800 LIFENET
• 9/11 Mental Health Care & Substance Abuse Program
  The American Red Cross and The September 11th Fund are working together to meet the mental health or substance abuse needs of those directly affected by the tragedy at minimal cost to the individual and by a licensed provider. The program will be administered by The Mental Health Association of New York City.

Pennsylvania Information

• The Pennsylvania September 11 Victim's Assistance Program was created by a grant to the Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The program's objectives are to identify, inform, educate, and support all people residing in the State of Pennsylvania who were directly affected by the horrific devastation of September 11.

Pentagon Terrorist Attack Information

• The D.C. Bar and a number of local law firms are collaborating on the September 11 Pro Bono Legal Relief Project to provide free legal representation on a range of non-Victim Compensation Fund civil matters, such as wills, custody orders, consumer issues, insurance claims, and housing issues. Visit the Web site or call 202-663-9115. Comprehensive information about the September 11 Pro Bono Legal Relief Project is also available on the Shaw Pittman law firm Web site.
  

Scholarships

• September 11 Scholarship Alliance. The Alliance has raised more than $90 million for college education scholarships. These scholarships are available to spouses and children of every person killed or permanently disabled in the September 11 attacks. For more information, please visit their web-site at www.scholarships911.org. You can also call toll-free at (877) 862-0136 to initiate the registration process.
  
  
• For a comprehensive listing of scholarship opportunities for families of September 11th that is in addition to those offered by the Scholarship Alliance, please visit the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' web-site at www.NASFAA.org/911scholarships.asp.
  

Victim Compensation Fund

• On September 22, Congress enacted Public Law 107-42, the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. The Act establishes the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. The regulations implementing Public Law 107-42, as well as all other important developments, will be published on the Department of Justice Web site as they become available.
  
  
• The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is assisting individuals who lost same-sex partners with their claims to the federal Fund.