National Not-for-Profit Consumer Group Announces New Addition to Disaster Aid Program

In response to the changing global environment of the post 9/11 world, the Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT) has taken a crucial step toward preparing its members for the unexpected. In addition to supplying immediate aid for natural disasters, FACT will now provide assistance for members who are adversely affected by a terrorist incident. The aid comes in the form of immediate monetary assistance.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRWEB) August 18, 2003 -- In response to the changing global environment of the post 9/11 world, the Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT) has taken a crucial step toward preparing its members for the unexpected.

In addition to supplying immediate aid for natural disasters, FACT will now provide assistance for members who are adversely affected by a terrorist incident. The aid comes in the form of immediate monetary assistance.

FACT is an association of consumers, formed under the not-for-profit corporation laws of the District of Columbia in 1984. The association currently represents some 750,000 consumers nationwide.

Through a special arrangement with the Council for Disaster Assistance (CDA), FACT will provide up to $250 in immediate payments for those who are affected by a natural or terrorist disaster. FACTs goal is to help its members get through those first few crucial days following a hurricane, tornado, flood, fire or other disastrous event when, all too often, no other source of help can be found.

In order to facilitate an immediate payment, FACT forgoes the normal claim forms and long lines. Members need only give FACT their word that they were impacted by a disaster and need immediate assistance.

The association emphasizes that this Program does not represent insurance. Benefits are paid at the discretion of the Disaster Aid Committee up to the extent of available funds.

So far," says FACTs Program Director, Sarah Chase, we have never had to deny a request for disaster assistance. This is due in part to the careful planning of FACT and CDA, and in an even larger part to the honesty of our members. To our knowledge, no one has ever even attempted to abuse our programs honor system."

FACT members who want more information regarding Terrorist Preparation can find a link to the Department of Homeland Securitys brochure, Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now," on the FACT web-page: www.fact-org.org.

Any questions may be directed to Sarah Chase at 1-800-USA-FACT or fact.sachase@earthlink.net.

After the announcement of the new addition, one member commented, Its such a relief to know that FACT is concerned with providing its members with assistance, even in the most unforeseen of circumstances. Immediate assistance can do so much for a person whos faced with overwhelming hardships -- its enough to get you going again, and to keep your mind and heart directed on rebuilding your life."

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More information on the Federation of American Consumers and Travelers may be found in the Encyclopedia of Associations, and by visiting the associations web site (www.fact-org.org). The organization was formed under the not-for-profit corporation laws of the District of Columbia in 1984. Its administrative office is located at 318 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025. A Washington, D.C., office will open in August, 2003.

FACT is entirely apolitical. It is not a lobbyist organization. Instead, it serves as a nonpartisan source for our nations lawmakers on what the consumer is thinking, and as a nonpartisan source for its members on what the nations lawmakers are doing. The Disaster Aid Program is not insurance. Payments are charitable in nature and are disbursed at the discretion of the Disaster Aid Committee, and as funds allow.