For example: Each hurricane season, well-meaning people often share messages stating that FEMA and the American Red Cross will reimburse anyone who has suffered spoiled food due to power outages.

And as always: that’s not true.

While the American Red Cross is providing temporary shelter and food to individuals affected by these storms, the agency is not reimbursing groceries in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The Red Cross also will not automatically, as is often shared, distribute $100, $200 or $300 vouchers to those who report food loss.

The same goes for the Federal Emergency Management Agency: According to information available on fema.gov, “Food loss is not covered by FEMA’s Individual and Households Program (IHP). Volunteer organizations in the disaster area may be able to assist you with food needs.”