frequently asked questions: 2017 hurricanes

Information presented here has been sourced from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site at or call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 1-888-232-6348 (TTY).

How do I prevent or clean up mold?

Clean up and prevent mold growth. Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth, wear impervious gloves, open windows and doors and clean with a bleach solution of one cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Throw away porous items for example, carpet and upholstered furniture that cannot be dried quickly. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing.

How do I prevent food illness?

Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat. Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened or damaged. Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. Throw away perishable foods, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for two hours or more. Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40 degree F or below can be refrozen or cooked. If cans have come in contact with floodwater or storm water, remove the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water. Relabel the cans with a marker.

Store food safely. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Add block ice or dry ice to your refrigerator if the electricity is expected to be off longer than four hours. Wear heavy gloves when handling ice.

How do I prevent illness from water?

Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect water for cooking, cleaning or bathing.

Correctly boil or disinfect water. Hold water at a rolling boil for one minute to kill bacteria. If you can't boil water, add 1/8 teaspoon (~0.75 mL) of newly purchased, unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of water. Stir the water well, and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. You can use water-purifying tablets instead of boiling water or using bleach. For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with treated water. Clean children's toys that have come in contact with water. Use a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water to clean the toys. Let toys air dry after cleaning.

What other things might make me sick or injured?

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced by many types of equipment and is poisonous to breathe. Don't use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door or vent. Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open. Don't heat your house with a gas oven. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed or nauseated.

Avoid floodwater. Follow all warnings about water on roadways. Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment through water. If you have to work in or near floodwater, wear a life jacket. If you are caught in an area where floodwater is rising, wear a life jacket, or wear or keep at hand some other type of flotation device.

Protect against mosquitoes. Prevent mosquito bites by wearing long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts and using insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin. More information is available on the CDC website at:

• Controlling mosquitoes at home
• Prevent mosquito bites

Avoid unstable buildings and structures. Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure is about to fall.

Beware of wild or stray animals. Avoid wild or stray animals. Call local authorities to handle animals. Get rid of dead animals according to local guidelines.

Beware of electrical and fire hazards. Never touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines. Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities. If electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician. Do not burn candles near flammable items or leave the candle unattended. If possible, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights instead of candles.

Beware of hazardous materials. Wear protective clothing and gear for example, a respirator if needed, when handling hazardous materials. Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous chemicals. Contact local authorities if you are not sure about how to handle or get rid of hazardous materials.

What else can I do to stay healthy with all the work I have to do?

Pace yourself and get support. Be alert to physical and emotional exhaustion or strain. Set priorities for cleanup tasks, and pace the work. Try not to work alone. Don't get exhausted. Ask your family members, friends or professionals for support.

Prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds per person.

Stay cool. When it's hot, stay in air-conditioned buildings; take breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms; drink water and nonalcoholic fluids often; wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; and do outdoor activities during cooler hours.

Treat wounds. Clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Contact a doctor to find out whether more treatment is needed such as tetanus shot. If a wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek immediate medical attention.

Wash your hands. Use soap and water to wash your hands. If water isn't available, you can use alcohol-based products made for washing hands.

Wear protective gear for cleanup work. Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole, not just steel shank. Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.

What do I do if my car has suffered damage?

If you are insured by our Group Home and Auto plan with MetLife, call the toll-free claims number at 1-800-GET-MET8 (1-800-438-6388). You can report claims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Plan details are available here.

Does Chevron offer any car purchase or financing programs?

The ChevRec / BenefitHub site includes listings of programs that provide discounts or special terms. If you haven't used the BenefitHub site in the past, you will need to request a referral code before you can view the available offerings.

My work location is closed due to the hurricane. My location is also under a mandatory curfew affecting my work schedule. Will I continue to be paid even though I can't work? And how should I code my time sheet?

Yes, all employees working in areas affected by a disaster will continue to be paid according to their regular pay periods during work site closures. Employees are encouraged to make regular calls to the Chevron Emergency Newsline at 1-888-281-4747 for the latest information regarding work site status. Employees who have work schedules affected by the curfew should contact their supervisor for instructions.

When coding your online time sheet, please use the option "Day off – Emergency."

Should contractors be paid for time not worked due to the evacuation or office closures?

Contractors should not be paid for time not worked unless they were specifically designated as in stand-by status and should be paid the appropriate stand-by rate per the contract between Chevron and the contractor's employer. Contractors who ask should be advised that payment, for time off during this recent emergency, should be discussed with their employer. If you have any questions, please contact your HR business partner.

What is expected of employees per HR Policy 610 - Natural Disaster Assistance?

Employees are expected to be prepared for potential natural hazards, such as earthquakes or hurricanes. This includes appropriate personal insurance and logistical contingency plans. In no event should the Company be viewed as a source of insurance against disasters. In special cases, however, HR Policy 610 may provide financial support for extraordinary natural disasters where displacement occurs.

Who is eligible to receive HR Policy 610 assistance?

You must be one of the following in order to be eligible to receive assistance under Policy 610:

• Active U.S. dollar payroll employees whose primary residence is in the affected disaster area (includes those on Short-Term Disability status).
• Active U.S. dollar payroll employees on Temporary Expatriate Assignment status whose primary residence is in the affected disaster area.
• Active U.S. dollar payroll employees on rotational status whose primary residence is in the affected disaster area.
• Active U.S. dollar payroll employees on a Temporary Domestic Assignment outside of the affected area whose primary residence is in the affected disaster area.

Who is ineligible to receive HR Policy 610 assistance?

Those considered ineligible for HR Policy 610 Natural Disaster Assistance would include:

• Non-U.S. dollar expatriate employee living within the affected area (assistance would be managed directly by the Global Expatriate Administration of Human Resources/Regional Shared Services).
• Non-active U.S. dollar employee on Long-Term Disability status.
• Non-active U.S. dollar employee on Personal Leave of Absence status.
• Chevron contractor.

My spouse also works for Chevron, are we eligible for two Policy 610 assistance?

In cases where there are multiple Chevron employees in a single household, only one Level I reimbursement and one Level II loan will be allowed.

What kind of financial assistance is provided if an employee is still displaced upon business resumption?

Once the Vice President of Human Resources has approved the activation of HR Policy 610 for an event, two levels of natural disaster assistance may be provided:

• Level I - Reimbursement Assistance - Up to $5,000 in accountable reimbursements to employees whose primary residence is deemed uninhabitable upon the date of business resumption and who substantiate their need with submittal of receipts. The assistance available under this policy covers reimbursement for interim accommodations and incidental expenses (namely food) that are not covered by personal insurance or government disaster assistance.
• Level II - a Corporation-guaranteed loan from Chevron Federal Credit Union (CFCU), guaranteed by Chevron Treasury - Up to $25,000, as recommended by local management, to employees whose current residence is substantially damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster and is in need of financial assistance in addition to that provided by commercial insurance, federal/state disaster grants/loans and personal savings.

What qualifies as an incidental expense?

Incidental expenses are those expenses that are generally related to food. Employees must substantiate their need for Level I reimbursement assistance by providing their receipts from commercial establishments such as restaurants and grocery stores. Level I assistance is not intended for expenses arising from evacuations (fuel), damaged household belongings (furniture and clothing), purchase of non-consumable emergency equipment (flashlights and generators), or limited structural damage to primary residence.

What qualifies as an interim accommodation?

Employees must substantiate their need for Level I reimbursement assistance by providing their receipts from commercial establishments such as hotels. Employees who stay with friends or relatives will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses related to restaurants and grocery stores.

What would deem my primary residence uninhabitable?

Examples that would deem a primary residence as uninhabitable include: no running water, no sewer service, or major structural residential damage. Lack of electricity does not in and of itself make a residence uninhabitable unless the outage is for an extended period of time, as determined by the Vice President of Human Resources.

Once the Vice President of Human Resources has approved the activation of HR Policy 610 for an event, how can I request Level I or Level II financial assistance through HR Policy 610? 

Level I: Requests for reimbursement for interim accommodations and incidental expenses are submitted in the Policy 610 web application (intranet only). You must include receipts from commercial establishments for food and lodging and documentation from your insurance company or government disaster assistance, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Payment is processed through payroll@chevron.com.

Level II: Employees in need of Level II assistance should contact their HR business partner, who will work with the employee and their local management to gain approval and submit the required loan paperwork. A Level II loan will be issued only by the CFCU.

What does third party mean in the Policy 610 web application?

HR Policy 610 assistance provides reimbursement for interim accommodations and incidental expenses that are not covered by personal insurance or government disaster assistance. You must indicate whether you've received reimbursement(s) from these third parties to avoid duplicate reimbursements in compliance with HR Policy 610.

I evacuated my home on a Monday and business resumed on Thursday. I was unable to return home when business resumed. Are the incidental expenses I incurred since Monday eligible for reimbursement under HR Policy 610 Level I assistance?

No, Level I assistance is intended to aide employees who are unable to return to their primary residence because it is deemed uninhabitable on the date of business resumption. In this example, only expenses incurred starting on Thursday would be eligible for reimbursement up to $5,000.

Can I make a hardship withdrawal from the ESIP (Employee Savings Investment Plan) to help me with expenses for repair of damage to my home incurred as a result of Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma?

Yes. The plan allows you to take a hardship withdrawal if you need funds to repair damage to your home as a result of Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma. Before making a hardship withdrawal, you must first exhaust other options, including loans. Remember that hardship withdrawals are taxable and generally subject to an additional 10 percent federal penalty tax if you are under age 59 ½. If you live or work in an area impacted by Harvey or Irma, recent IRS guidance allows you to take a hardship withdrawal no later than January 31, 2018 without suspension of contributions that normally occurs following such withdrawals.  You will need to complete a hardship withdrawal request form and provide supporting documentation. Contact Vanguard through the HR Service Center at 1-888-825-5247 to request a form or for further information about withdrawal or loan options from your ESIP account. You can also find more information on amounts available to you for withdrawal or loans on the internet at http://chevron.vanguard-education.com/join

My son’s home was damaged by the recent hurricane. Might I be able to use my ESIP funds to assist him?

Yes, if a lineal ascendant or descendant, dependent or spouse had a principal residence or place of employment in one of the counties impacted by Harvey or Irma, you may be able to make a hardship withdrawal if you have exhausted other options.  In this case, recent IRS guidance allows you to take a hardship withdrawal no later than January 31, 2018 without suspension of contributions that normally occurs following such withdrawals.  Remember that hardship withdrawals are taxable and generally subject to an additional 10 percent federal penalty tax if you are under age 59 ½.  You will need to complete a hardship withdrawal request form and provide supporting documentation.  Contact Vanguard through the HR Service Center at 1-888-825-5247 to request a form or for further information about withdrawal or loan options from your ESIP account. You can also find more information on amounts available to you for withdrawal or loans on the internet at http://chevron.vanguard-education.com/join

I need additional time off to take care of personal business related to damage to my home. How would I request and receive time off for that purpose?

Employees requesting additional time off to deal with personal issues and disaster-related home damage should contact their supervisor and request time off as needed.

When coding an online timesheet, employees should use the option "Vacation," "Personal Leave" or "Personal Leave w/o Pay," depending on what has been approved by local management.

Please see table below for appropriate levels of approval based on your leave request:

Contact the HR Service Center

• 1-888-825-5247
• 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time)
• Monday through Friday (except on holidays).

You will need your password/PIN when you call the HR Service Center. If you don't remember or don't know it, hold the line each time you are prompted to enter it until you are provided options to speak with a representative. You will need to provide alternate information to verify your identity and the transactions you're allowed to complete will be limited until a formal PIN reset can be performed.

Access additional information

• Chevron U.S. Benefits website
• Benefit plan contacts
• Mental and emotional health resources

I need help finding a network doctor.

If you need assistance with finding a network doctor, contact your medical provider (e.g., Anthem, BCBS of Texas, Humana of Louisiana) at the telephone number located on your ID card.

I've lost my medical ID card, how do I contact my health plan?

Anthem Blue Cross – Members of the Medical PPO Plan, HDHP, or HDHP Basic administered by Anthem Blue Cross, contact member services at 1-844-627-1632 or www.anthem.com/ca. ID cards are available electronically on the Anthem mobile app or within your individual Anthem online account.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – Members of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (also known as HMO Blue Texas), contact member services at 1-877-299-2377. If you don't have your ID card, call member services or print a temporary card from the BCBS website.

Global Choice Plan – Members of Global Choice Plan, e.g. an expatriate working in the U.S. in an area affected by Hurricane Harvey, you may contact Cigna member services at 1-800-441-2668. Cigna is expanding access to its 24x7 telephone help line to provide clinical assistance and support for all residents in the affected areas. The web address is www.cignaenvoy.com.

My house flooded and I don't have enough prescription medication and need a refill.

If you are a member of the Medical PPO Plan, HDHP, or HDHP Basic administered by Anthem Blue Cross or the Global Choice Plan administered by Cigna (while in the U.S.), contact Express Scripts member services at 1-800-987-8368. The web address is www.express-scripts.com.

If you are a member of a Medical HMO, contact your medical plan's member services.

What do I do if I have lost or broken my eyeglasses?

Vision Plus Program members – If you have lost or broken your eyewear due to Hurricane Harvey, call VSP Member Services Support Line at 1-800-877-7195 to have your VSP benefits reinstated regardless of eligibility.

Individuals without Vision Plus Program coverage can contact their local American Red Cross chapter and request a VSP eye care voucher.

My family is experiencing a lot of stress from the effects of the hurricane. We need help coping with the situation and would like to talk to someone.

You can access the Employee Assistance WorkLife Services Program 24 hours a day at 1-800-860-8205 for counseling and referrals.

In addition, all employees, retirees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical plan coverage through Chevron can access mental health and substance abuse services or provider referrals through Beacon Health Options at 1-800-847-2438.

You can also find helpful materials on this web site in the wellness section.

Where can I find information about carpooling and ridesharing?

The Chevron Vanpool website (requires intranet access) is an excellent resource.

In the Houston area, there are also many public resources, including:

• Metro
• Houston TRANSTAR
• TxDOT
• City of Houston

Will Chevron grant an exception to Policy 610 for US Resident expatriates with a home in their point of origin in the designated affected disaster areas who did not sell their US primary residence?

Yes. An exception would be granted for home owners that meet all of the following conditions:

1. Active US Payroll expatriate on a Resident Assignment upon date of business resumption.
2. Expatriates must have occupied the home as their primary residence at the time that they received the job offer for the expatriate assignment.
3. The employee continues to own that same home.
4. The employee must continue to receive a Home Maintenance Allowance (HMA) for that home or the employee must still be eligible for home sale benefits under Chevron's US Domestic Relocation Policy.
5. The eligibility is only for the home referenced above.
6. Eligibility for Level 1 assistance is limited to eligible dependents who did not accompany you on your expatriate assignment and were living in the primary residence in the affected area at the time of the event.