Help for those affected by disaster in Haiti: Frequently asked questions

February 1, 2010

Help through Ceridian’s LifeWorks employee assistance progam

Q: Iam upset by sad news from Haitiand anxious about not knowing if other family members and friends are safe. Where can I get help?

A: Many families here in the U.S. are dealing with shock, grief and uncertainty as they receive sad news or wait to hear news of family and loved ones. Ceridian has temporarily extended telephonic counseling and bereavement support to all Ceridian customers. Impacted employees are encouraged to call 1-800-527-3060.

Employees at organizations covered by the LifeWorks program may be eligible for additional support, including answers to legal questions and special support for managers.

Ceridian’s article,Coping with Grief and Loss After a Traumatic Event,is available in English and Creole.

For residents of New York City, New York Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center opened on February 1 to provide legal, emotional, and practical support. The Center is located in the New York National Guard Armory at 1579 Bedford Avenue, between Union and President Streets in Brooklyn, and is open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays and from 10 a,m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Help for managers

Q: I am getting questions from associates with family members in Haiti that I don’t know how to answer. I’d like to provide them with whatever help I can. Where should I go for this help?

A:Managersat organizations covered by Ceridian’s LifeWorks program may be eligible for special help and support, including the option of scheduling on-site debriefing sessions for employees with professional trauma and grief counselors.

Two of Ceridian’s Management Services consultants have recorded a 10-minute audiopodcast for managers on supporting employees affected by the earthquake in Haiti, which you can listen to at any time.

Helping family and friends in Haiti

Q: How can I transfer money to family and friends in Haiti?

A: Many banks in Haiti were damaged in the earthquake and are not yet fully back in operation. According to the Inter-American Development Bank and a January 31 report in the New York Daily News,Fonkoze, a microlending bank with many locations in rural communities and an operating branch in Port-au-Prince, has been able to distribute funds sent by MoneyGram and C.A.M. Western Union was making payments in 150 locations throughout Haiti. In general, transferring money through Western Union or through a bank based in the U.S., France, or U.K. will be safer than transferring money through a Haitian bank as the assets will be protected until withdrawn in Haiti.

Q: How can I contribute to relief efforts in Haiti?

A: Aid agencies are seeking financial contributions. They are discouraging the donation of food, clothing and other material goods at this time, as the logistics of getting bulky shipments into Haiti are difficult with damage to airports and harbors. Ceridian has compiled a list of charities with capacity to provide direct aid in Haiti: How to Make a Donation Following the Earthquake in Haiti, Another useful resource is the web site which includes a list of reputable organization providing emergency relief to Haiti.

Q:Are any discounts being offered on telephone calls to Haiti?

A: Verizon has waived charges on calls from the U.S. to Haiti from January 12 through February 14. This applies to calls made using Verizon land line and cell phone plans, and Verizon’s pre-paid calling cards. T-Mobile offered a similar program from January 12 to 31.

Immigration and visas:

Q: How can my family apply for visas to enter the U.S.? What type of visas should they apply for?

A: Application must be made to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Information can be found at and at a special page on the USCIS site with information specific to Haiti. Preference is given to immediate family members of U.S. citizens. Customers of Ceridian’s LifeWorks program may be eligible to schedule a free 30-minute consultant with an attorney.

Q: Have any U.S. immigration and visa policies changed?

A: The only policy that has changed is the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals who were in the U.S. as of January 12, 2010. More detail can be found in Ceridian’s article on Temporary Protected Status.A short video explanation in Creole is posted at visas are also being granted to young Haitians deemed unlikely to live without advanced medical care.

Q: Where can I get help with immigration and visa issues amd with the application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

A:The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of free legal service providers for many states. Free legal clinics to help with application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are also being organized in some communities, as listed below.

  • In South Florida, call the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) at 305-573-1106 and press 1250 to find out about upcoming clinics where you can get free legal help applying for TPS.
  • In New York City, visit the New York Haitian Earthquake Family Resource Center, located in the New York National Guard Armory at 1579 Bedford Avenue, between Union and President Streets in Brooklyn. The center is open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays and from 10 a,m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • In Boston, call 617-464-8004 for information about upcoming free TPS legal clinics staffed by immigration attorneys from Mintz Levin and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
  • In Connecticut, free legal clinics will be held on February 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hartford (at City Hall, 55 Main Street), New Haven (Southern Connecticut State University, Engleman Hall, Room B121, 501 Crescent Street), Norwich (City Hall, Room 108, 100 Broadway), and Stamford (UCONN, 1 University Place).

Beware of scams from people who claim to be able to help with TPS and other immigration issues but who are really seeking to make money in a crisis. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has issued a fact sheet on avoiding these scams, available in English and Creole.