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Learn how Trump Accounts work, who may qualify for the $1,000 pilot contribution, and where to officially open and manage a child’s Trump Account.
Natural Disaster Financial Toolkit
Natural Disaster Financial Toolkit
How to recover, stay organized, and protect yourself from scams
When a natural disaster hits, the impact goes far beyond physical damage. It can disrupt your finances, routines, and sense of stability.
This toolkit is designed to help you take clear, practical steps to regain control, while protecting yourself from fraud during a vulnerable time.
Step 1: Start with Safety & Documentation
Once it’s safe:
- Take photos and videos of all damage
- Make a list of damaged or lost items
- Gather receipts or records if available
Helpful Tip:
Important documents are easier to protect when stored securely. Items like passports, titles, and insurance paperwork can be kept in a safe deposit box to help prevent loss during future emergencies.
Step 2: File Insurance Claims Quickly
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
- Ask about coverage for temporary housing
- Keep notes of every conversation
- Respond quickly to requests
Helpful Tip:
If you’re unsure what your coverage includes, reviewing your policy or speaking with a trusted provider, like AGCU Insurance, can help you understand your options and prepare for future protection.
Step 3: Protect Your Accounts & Credit
- Locate your cards, or report them missing immediately
- Avoid large balances you may not be able to repay
- Skip high-interest cash advances if possible
Helpful Tip:
If used carefully, credit cards can help bridge short-term expenses during emergencies, but it’s important to use them wisely and avoid building long-term debt.
If you’re struggling to make payments, don’t wait, contact your creditors early.
Step 4: Rebuild Your Budget
Disasters often mean:
- Lower income
- Higher expenses
Create a priority list and adjust where needed.
Helpful Tip:
Setting aside funds for specific needs can help you stay organized during recovery. Using sub-savings accounts for categories like repairs, insurance deductibles, or emergency expenses can make it easier to track your progress.
Step 5: Rebuild Carefully
- Get at least three contractor estimates
- Verify licenses and reviews
- Use written contracts
- Avoid large upfront payments
Stay cautious! Pressure and urgency are common tactics used in scams.
Avoid Disaster Scams
Disasters can leave people vulnerable, and scammers know it.
Watch for:
- Urgent requests to move money
- Requests for gift cards or crypto
- Unsolicited calls or messages
- “Too good to be true” offers
Protect yourself:
- Only share information when you initiate contact
- Work with trusted institutions
- Slow down, pressure is a red flag
Communicating with Creditors
If you can’t keep up with payments:
- Reach out early
- Be honest and clear
- Ask for specific solutions
- Keep records of communication
Taking action early gives you more options.
Financial Recovery Priorities
- Secure housing and safety
- Protect your finances
- Document everything
- Communicate with creditors
- Rebuild carefully
Helpful Resources
- FEMA: www.fema.gov | 1-800-621-3362
- Disaster Assistance: www.DisasterAssistance.gov
- American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
- SBA Disaster Loans: www.sba.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first financial steps to take after a natural disaster?
Once you are safe, start by documenting the damage with photos and videos, making a list of lost or damaged items, and gathering any receipts or records you have. Next, contact your insurance company to begin a claim, locate or report your payment cards, and create a priority list to rebuild your budget. Securing housing, protecting your finances, and documenting everything should come before any rebuilding work begins.
How do I avoid disaster relief scams?
Only share personal or financial information when you are the one who initiated contact, and work only with trusted institutions. Be cautious of urgent requests to move money, demands for payment by gift card or cryptocurrency, unsolicited calls or messages, and offers that seem too good to be true. Scammers rely on pressure and urgency, so slowing down is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
Should I use a credit card after a natural disaster?
A credit card can help cover short-term expenses during an emergency, but it should be used carefully to avoid long-term debt. Try to avoid large balances you may not be able to repay and skip high-interest cash advances when possible. If you are struggling to keep up with payments, contact your creditors early, since acting sooner usually gives you more options.
Who do I contact for disaster financial assistance?
Several agencies provide disaster assistance. FEMA can be reached at 1-800-621-3362 or DisasterAssistance.gov, the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for emergency shelter, food, and health services, and the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 for low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses. You can apply for FEMA assistance online, through the FEMA app, by phone, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
What should I do if I can’t make payments after a disaster?
Reach out to your creditors as early as possible rather than waiting until you fall behind. Be honest and clear about your situation, ask about specific solutions such as payment deferrals or hardship programs, and keep records of every conversation. Taking action early gives you more options and can help protect your credit during recovery.
How do I protect important documents from future disasters?
Store critical documents like passports, property titles, and insurance paperwork in a secure location such as a safe deposit box. Keeping digital copies in a separate, secure location can also help you recover quickly if originals are lost or damaged. Having these documents organized and protected in advance makes filing insurance claims and applying for assistance much faster.
Final Thought
Recovery takes time—and it’s okay to take it one step at a time.
Having the right tools, staying organized, and working with people you trust can make a meaningful difference as you rebuild.
Avoidance Is a Money Decision
Avoidance Is a Money Decision
Avoiding your finances doesn’t remove stress, it multiplies it
The Hidden Cost of Avoidance
Ignoring your finances doesn’t make problems disappear. It gives them time to grow. What starts small can quickly become harder to manage:- Late fees and penalties
- Missed opportunities to save or plan ahead
- Unexpected cash flow issues
- Stress when deadlines can’t be delayed any longer
Why We Avoid Money
If you’ve ever avoided opening a statement or checking your balance, you’re not alone. Avoidance is usually driven by emotion, not logic. It might be fear about what you’ll find, or feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to begin. Sometimes it’s embarrassment, a sense of being behind or out of control. Other times, it’s simply time pressure, pushing financial tasks aside for more urgent demands. Avoidance works for a little while. But the longer it continues, the harder things get.Facing the Numbers Changes the Story
Many people discover the same thing once they finally take a look: the reality is often far less overwhelming than expected. A quick review can replace weeks of uncertainty. A small check-in can head off a larger issue. And a single step forward can interrupt the whole cycle of avoidance. Clarity brings direction and direction reduces stress.A Better Way to Engage With Your Finances
Avoidance is often a signal that something feels unclear or too large to tackle all at once. When the whole picture feels overwhelming, the natural response is to put it off entirely, which only makes the picture feel bigger the next time you think about it. The solution isn’t to force a major reset. You don’t need to overhaul your budget, read every statement, or fix everything in one sitting. That kind of all-or-nothing thinking is often what fuels avoidance in the first place. The shift is smaller than that. It’s about changing how you approach your finances, trading one big, intimidating effort for a few small, manageable ones.1. Start Small
You don’t need a complete system overhaul. Begin with something quick: check your balance, open a statement, or spend a few minutes reviewing recent activity. Short, consistent check-ins are far more effective than occasional deep dives.2. Shift Your Perspective
Instead of seeing your finances as something to fix, think of them as information to understand. Your numbers simply show where you are, what’s working, and what may need attention. That’s it. There’s no judgment in the data.3. Build a Simple Routine
Avoidance often grows when there’s no structure. Set a regular time, weekly or monthly, to review your finances. Keeping it consistent is what makes it easier to stay on track, because the habit does the remembering for you.4. Focus on Momentum
Progress doesn’t require perfection. Each small action builds momentum, whether it’s logging in, reviewing your transactions, or making one simple adjustment. Over time, these small actions add up to real confidence and control.Use Tools That Make It Easier
You don’t have to manage everything in your head. AGCU’s online and mobile banking tools are designed to give you a clear, simple view of your finances in one place. You can:- View account balances and recent transactions
- Track spending patterns
- Set savings goals
- Monitor activity in real time
Even a quick glance at your accounts can help you stay informed and avoid surprises.
What Changes When You Stop Avoiding
When you begin to engage with your finances regularly, even in small ways, the impact becomes clear. There’s less stress and fewer surprises. Your decisions get more informed. And you build a steadier confidence in where your money is headed. But the biggest shift is quieter than any of those: you stop carrying the mental weight of unfinished financial tasks. That low background hum of “I should really deal with that” finally goes quiet. And one of the biggest shifts: You stop carrying the mental weight of unfinished financial tasks.Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I avoid checking my finances? Financial avoidance is usually driven by emotion rather than logic. Common reasons include fear of what you might find, feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to begin, embarrassment about being behind, and simple time pressure when other demands feel more urgent. Recognizing which feeling is behind your avoidance is often the first step to moving past it. Is avoiding my finances actually harmful? Yes, because avoidance postpones problems rather than solving them, and it usually makes them grow. Small issues like a missed payment can turn into late fees, cash flow problems, and missed chances to save. Avoidance also carries a mental cost, leaving you with background stress that lingers until the task is finally addressed. How do I stop avoiding my money? Start small rather than attempting a complete overhaul. Begin by checking your balance, opening one statement, or spending a few minutes reviewing recent activity. Short, consistent check-ins are more effective than occasional deep dives, and each small action builds the momentum that makes the next one easier. How often should I check my finances? A regular routine works better than occasional reviews, so setting a consistent time weekly or monthly is a good approach. The exact frequency matters less than the consistency. A predictable rhythm turns financial check-ins into a habit, which removes the need to remember and helps prevent avoidance from creeping back in. What’s the best way to feel less stressed about money? Clarity is one of the most effective ways to reduce financial stress, because uncertainty is often heavier than reality. Many people find that a quick review replaces weeks of worry, and that the situation is far less overwhelming than they expected. Engaging with your finances regularly, even briefly, helps you feel informed and in control rather than anxious. Can banking tools help me stay on top of my finances? Yes, online and mobile banking tools make regular check-ins much easier by putting everything in one place. With AGCU’s tools you can view balances and recent transactions, track spending patterns, set savings goals, and monitor activity in real time. Having a clear, single view of your finances removes much of the guesswork that fuels avoidance.Final Thought
Avoidance can feel easier in the moment—but it comes with long-term costs. Taking a few minutes to engage with your finances can change how you feel about them entirely.Avoidance is a money decision. And so is choosing to face it.
AGCU is Matching Donations For Cross Pointe Camp
For generations, Cross Pointe Camp & Retreat Center has been a place where lives are changed.
From the 1940s through today, campers have gathered around campfires, built lifelong friendships, and discovered a deeper calling. Many who stepped onto these grounds as children left with a renewed passion for serving, ministry, and faith.
And while the memories are timeless… the facilities that support those moments need renewal.
A New Chapter Begins
AGCU is proud to partner with Cross Pointe Camp & Retreat Center to help update and improve their facilities—ensuring that future generations can experience the same life-changing moments.
To help make that possible:
We’re Lighting the Match!
For a limited time, AGCU will match donations* to support this project.
Every gift you give will go twice as far—helping restore spaces where faith is strengthened, friendships are formed, and purpose is discovered.
Why It Matters
Camp isn’t just a place.
It’s where:
- Faith comes alive
- Callings are discovered
- Lifelong memories are made
It’s where a spark becomes a flame.
Be Part of the Story
Now is your opportunity to invest in the next generation.
👉 Give today
👉 Double your impact
👉 Help Light the Match – Visit a branch, or Call 866-508-AGCU and help us build memories and strengthen the ministries
*AGCU will match donations to Cross Pointe Camp up to a total of $5000.00
2026 Scholarship Application
AGCU 2026 Scholarship Application
We are committed to higher education and young adults. The AGCU scholarship program is our way of thanking our youth account members who have chosen Assemblies of God Credit Union as their financial institution.
This year, Assemblies of God Credit Union (AGCU) will award five (5) scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to graduating high school seniors who are members of AGCU and will attend an accredited college, university, or vocational school in the fall. Additionally, the Merrell Cooper & Michael Cooper Scholarship for $2,000 will be awarded. All scholarships are non-renewable.
Click here to download the 2026 Scholarship Application
The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm (CST) on April 10, 2026.
Do you have questions about the scholarship application or the process? Please email Janelle Carlton at jcarlton@agcu.org
Banking With A Purpose
Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU. Learn More About Banking with a Purpose
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8 ways to help improve your credit score
Building a strong credit history takes time. That’s why it makes sense to adopt good credit habits even if you aren’t planning to apply for new loans in the near future.
To help improve your credit, make sure to pay your bills on time and try to only use a portion of the total credit available to you.
Following a budget, keeping an emergency savings, and avoiding taking on too much debt in the first place can make it easier to care for your credit.
Keeping up a solid credit history and good credit score is a bit like staying in shape—you have to work at it regularly to stay at the top of your game. If you wanted to run a marathon, you wouldn’t wait to start training until it was a month away. Similarly, you don’t want to neglect your credit until you’re about to apply for a major loan.
Pastor Appreciation Month Giveaway
No purchase necessary. Nominations are accepted through Friday of each week in October 2026. Entries submitted after the deadline will be considered for the following week’s drawing.
One pastor will be selected each week to receive a $100 Visa® gift card. Winners will be contacted directly by AGCU.
Nominees must currently serve as a pastor at a church.
Nominations may be shared in AGCU communications. By submitting a nomination, you grant AGCU permission to use submitted content (including pastor and church names, and nomination stories) in print and digital materials.
Gift cards are non-transferable and have no cash value.
AGCU reserves the right to modify or discontinue this promotion at any time.