Use this checklist before making a decision

Prepare for severe weather, outages, disasters, evacuation, medications, medical equipment, caregivers, transportation, and communication access. A checklist cannot decide an individual case, but it can prevent missed questions, missing records, and avoidable deadlines.

Decision checklist

  • Enroll in local alerts and identify reliable weather and emergency sources.
  • Create medication, medical-device, contact, communication, and support-person lists.
  • Plan backup power, charging, refrigeration, oxygen, supplies, and safe generator use.
  • Identify accessible evacuation routes, transportation, shelters, pet or service-animal needs, and backup locations.
  • Store documents and supplies in accessible, portable formats.
  • Practice the plan and update it after medical, housing, or caregiver changes.

Information to write down

  • The exact program, provider, company, service, product, or legal document involved.
  • The person’s state, county, ZIP code, coverage, deadlines, accessibility needs, and preferred contact method.
  • Names, dates, confirmation numbers, written notices, estimates, contracts, and appeal instructions.
  • The original source used to verify each important claim.

Questions to ask

  • Which rule or program applies to this exact situation?
  • What is the deadline, and what proves that the request was received?
  • What costs are excluded from the quoted amount?
  • What changes by state, plan, provider, or household?
  • Is there an appeal, grievance, correction, or second-review process?
  • Where is the answer published by the responsible agency?

Official sources

Related information

Within this subject: Updates and Official Changes, Official Help and Trusted Starting Points, Common Mistakes and Warning Signs, State-by-State Differences.

Also review: Utility Bills, Energy Assistance, and Shutoff Protection, Accessible Transportation and Medical Travel, Assistive Technology, Medical Equipment, and Home Modifications.

Last reviewed

This checklist was reviewed on 2026-07-30. Verify current rules before acting.