Weathering the Storm with EAP, PERF

This summer has been challenging in many parts of the country, with serious flooding in Louisiana and West Virginia, major fires in California and throughout the West, and tornadoes in the Midwest, while Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hermine caused destruction in northwest Florida and southern Georgia.

Postal employees are on the front lines, adapting to conditions and always among the first to restore service and support to their communities. In turn, the Postal Service is ready to help employees affected themselves.

The Postal Employees' Relief Fund (PERF) is available to help active and retired management and craft postal employees when their homes are damaged or destroyed by a hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire or earthquake.

PERF is not an emergency relief or immediate needs replacement organization such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross or insurance companies that are paid to replace property.

Instead, PERF provides applicants with small relief grants to help re-establish residence and replace basic necessities.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to help employees and their family members cope with a life-altering disaster or changes at work and other more routine matters.

EAP is available online or by phone — 800-327-4968 (800-EAP4YOU) or 877-492-7341(TTY) — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.