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What to Do If a Contractor Took Your Money

Last updated: July 27, 2026 A contractor may have taken a deposit, disappeared, abandoned unsafe work, damaged the house, or demanded more money. Act quickly, preserve evidence, and avoid anyone promising guaranteed recovery. Bottom line: Make the home safe, stop pending payments, save every record, contact the contractor in writing, and use the route that … Read more

Insurance and Disaster Claims for Home Repairs

Last updated: July 28, 2026 Leave first if the home is unsafe. Call 911 for fire, injury, a gas smell, live wires, structural collapse, or another immediate danger. Do not enter a flooded, burned, or storm-damaged home until local officials say it is safe. Bottom line: Insurance is usually the first source of money for … Read more

Home Modifications for Wheelchair Users: Funding Sources Ranked

Last updated: July 28, 2026 Unsafe entrance or exit? Do not rely on loose boards, an unanchored portable ramp, or a helper who cannot safely manage the chair. If a person cannot leave during a fire or medical emergency, call the local fire department’s non-emergency line for safety guidance. Call 911 for immediate danger. Bottom … Read more

Medicare and Home Safety Modifications

Last updated: July 28, 2026 If the home is unsafe right now: Call 911 for a serious fall, fire, collapse, carbon monoxide symptoms, or another medical emergency. Leave and call the gas company if you smell gas. Call the electric utility for live wires or sparking equipment. Do not wait for Medicare or a repair … Read more

Deed Theft and Equity Stripping Repair Scams

Last updated: July 27, 2026 If You Already Signed or Your Name Disappeared From the Deed Act now. Do not wait for the contractor, investor, or salesperson to explain it. If someone is threatening you, trying to remove you from the home, or entering without permission, call 911. For a suspected forged deed, deceptive transfer, … Read more

After a Disaster: The First 72 Hours of Recovery Help

Last updated: July 28, 2026 Get out first if the home may be dangerous Call 911 for a fire, serious injury, trapped person, active flooding, downed power line, strong gas smell, or another immediate threat. Follow evacuation and reentry orders from local officials. Do not enter a damaged building just to take photos. For emergency … Read more

My Roof Is Leaking and I Can’t Afford to Fix It

Last updated: July 28, 2026 If the Leak Is Dangerous Right Now Leave the area and call 911 if the ceiling may collapse, water is touching live wiring, there is smoke or fire, a tree is resting on the home, or someone is trapped or hurt. Do not climb onto a wet, steep, icy, or … Read more

Home Repair Assistance in the U.S.: How the System Actually Works

Last updated: July 28, 2026 Is the home dangerous right now? Leave the area and call 911 for fire, gas odor, collapse, exposed live wiring, carbon monoxide, or another immediate threat. For a shutoff, no heat in dangerous weather, sewage backup, or urgent local housing problem, call 211 and your city or county emergency management, … Read more

No Heat in Winter? Emergency Help for Furnace and Heating Repairs

Last updated: July 28, 2026 If there is danger now: Leave the home and call 911 if you smell gas, see flames or smoke, hear a carbon monoxide alarm, or anyone has headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, or confusion. Call the gas utility from outside. Do not use an oven, charcoal grill, camp stove, … Read more

Vocational Rehabilitation and Home Modifications

Last updated: July 28, 2026 Immediate safety problem? Vocational rehabilitation is not an emergency repair program. If a broken entrance, exposed wiring, failed heat, sewage backup, or another hazard puts someone in danger, call local emergency services or your utility when needed. You can also call 2-1-1 and ask for emergency housing or repair help … Read more