TRENTON, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy survivors who have already registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency need to keep in touch with the agency, especially if their contact information changes.

Updating contact information with current address and phone numbers will ensure FEMA can reach an applicant with new information or questions.

Individuals can visit a disaster recovery center for help or talk by phone or 711/VRS to the toll-free FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Either method works to:

  • Update an application with a change of address or new phone number.
  • Ask questions about disaster assistance.
  • Track the progress of a FEMA application.
  • Get information about the inspection process.
  • Advise FEMA of insurance settlements.
  • Learn about the steps to appeal a FEMA decision.
  • Obtain a Small Business Administration application and get help filling it out.
  • Learn rebuilding techniques to make a home stronger.

Anyone who was affected by Hurricane Sandy but has not yet registered with FEMA should do so as soon as possible. In addition to the disaster recovery centers and the FEMA helpline, it is possible to register online at www. DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov anytime.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Stay In Touch With FEMA – Make Sure Your Contact Information Is Current

NEW YORK ­­­­– Getting local businesses back up and running is a key part of a community’s recovery after a disaster. Several of FEMA’s federal, state, local and private sector partners have programs in place to support New York businesses after Hurricane Sandy:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has low-interest loans available for businesses and most private nonprofits for up to $2 million dollars for physical property losses. Small businesses and most private nonprofits can also apply for economic injury loans for up to

$2 million. Interested businesses can apply at any of the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, SBA Business Recovery Centers, online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or contact the SBA at 800-659-2955.

NYC Economic Development Corporation established a Hurricane Sandy Emergency Loan Fund to support NYC small businesses with their recovery and clean-up efforts. This loan program will provide $10 million in low-interest loans to businesses, ranging from

$5,000 – $25,000 for each loan. Funds can be used to replace or repair damaged assets, or to make up for working capital losses incurred due to business interruption. For additional details and information on how to apply, businesses should visit: http://www.nybdc.com/HurricaneSandySmallBusinessReliefFund.html.

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency’s Emergency Sales Tax Relief Program gives an exemption of State and County Sales Tax of 8.625 percent to small businesses in Suffolk County on purchases up to $100,000 for building materials or replacing damaged equipment.  Businesses can visit: www.suffolkIDA.org or call 631-853-4802 for additional information or to fill out an application.

National Grid Hurricane Sandy Relief Program provides grants up to $250,000 to National Grid commercial, industrial or multi-family residential gas customers that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Eligible customers can use program funds for energy infrastructure repairs or replacement, rehabilitation of buildings, and costs associated with replacement of machinery or equipment necessary for the operation of the businesses. Funding consideration will be based on documented financial need and impact to the community. To determine eligibility and for additional information, customers should contact National Grid at 855-496-9359.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Link: 

Several Resources Available to Help Business Owners Recover from Sandy

WINDSOR, Conn. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has added Connecticut residents to its staff supporting Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

Hiring local individuals is part of FEMA’s overall recovery strategy.

“Local hires bring a great deal to the table,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “They have community insight and valuable work experience. Putting local people to work is an important part of FEMA’s impact on the local economy. Our goal is for Connecticut residents to make up 10 percent of our workforce.”

Connecticut hires are working throughout FEMA’s operations, including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, Travel and Human Resources, Environmental and Historic Preservation, Logistics, Information Technology, External Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, the National Flood Insurance Program, Mitigation and the switchboard.

FEMA is still hiring in Connecticut. Interested job seekers should contact their local unemployment office or go to the Connecticut Department of Labor website www.connecticut.us.jobs. Type “FEMA” and “Windsor, CT” in the search boxes at the top of the page. A list of available local hire jobs will result.

Applicants must be fingerprinted and pass an FBI background investigation as part of the process.

Most FEMA workers are reservists — a cadre of on-call, trained employees who travel to a disaster location, complete their deployments and then return home. As reservists go home, the local hires keep recovery efforts going.

Clarigsa Echandy of East Hartford is working as a travel specialist helping reservists file expense reports. She “always wanted to work for the federal government, especially FEMA.”

“FEMA helps people when they need it most,” Echandy said. “And it’s nice to see how the reservists help each other as well the survivors out in the community. It’s like family.”

Portland, Conn., resident Sam Palfrey, who spent his career in financial service operations, is training as a Private Sector specialist. A relatively new program, Private Sector focuses on businesses, trade associations, academia and other non-governmental agencies as partners in preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

“It’s important to reach out to the business community,” Palfrey said. “One of our goals is to help business people understand what FEMA is doing and the importance of getting recovery messages out to their employees.”

Link – 

FEMA Hires Connecticut Residents to Help in Disaster Recovery

WINDSOR, Conn. — The State of Connecticut and FEMA officials have announced extension of the deadline for individuals to register for federal disaster assistance to Jan. 28, 2013.

The deadline for the completion and return of loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration has also been extended to Jan. 28. A majority of residents who register for assistance with FEMA will receive SBA loan applications. These should be completed and returned to complete the registration process. No one is required to take out a loan.

Residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County who had damage from Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach           multilingual operators.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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Connecticut FEMA Registration Deadline Extended to Jan. 28

New York – The Federal Emergency Management Agency understands that some Hurricane Sandy survivors may need additional temporary rental assistance to help them achieve their permanent housing goals.

All applicants who received temporary rental assistance from FEMA were mailed a “Declaration for Continuing Need for Rental Assistance” letter.

This form is mailed 15 days after applicants receive their initial rental assistance grant and explains how to request additional temporary rental assistance from FEMA.

To receive additional temporary rental assistance as quickly as possible, applicants must:

  • Complete the form with all the applicable information and mail it back to FEMA at the address printed on the form.
  • Applicants will need to provide information of both pre-disaster and current expenses that are applicable to their households such as pay-stubs to verify income.
  • They also must provide a copy of their lease and the name and phone number of their landlord.  
  • Applicants who don’t have the form should contact FEMA’s toll-free Help Line

800-621-FEMA (3362).

FEMA expects all families who receive temporary rental assistance to return to their damaged home when it is repaired or to locate and occupy affordable housing without FEMA rental assistance at their earliest opportunity. 

However, FEMA also recognizes this is a difficult time for Hurricane Sandy survivors and that some families need additional temporary assistance to assist them in their recovery. 

Survivors should not hesitate to contact the FEMA Help Line 800-621-FEMA (3362) with any questions or concerns regarding temporary rental assistance from FEMA.                                                                                                          

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog

View original post here – 

Survivors with Ongoing Housing Needs Should Stay in Touch with FEMA

WINDSOR, Conn. — A U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center will replace the FEMA-state Disaster Recovery Center at the former Simon Lake Elementary School, 65 Devonshire Road, Milford, CT, 06460.

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center’s final hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 21, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22.

FEMA will still be available to help residents recover from Sandy. The FEMA helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-621-3362, to register for assistance, ask questions about an application or update contact information so FEMA knows how to reach you. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The SBA center will open in the same location at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24.  Hours for the SBA Center are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Homeowners, business owners and renters who had damage from Hurricane Sandy in one of the Connecticut counties designated for Individual Assistance should register for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If an applicant receives an application for a low-interest disaster loan from SBA as part of the registration package from FEMA, it is important this application be completed and returned. No survivor is required to take out an SBA loan, but completion of the SBA application may make the applicant eligible for further FEMA assistance.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register or ask questions by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach multilingual operators.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Originally posted here:  

SBA Loan Center to Offer Services in Milford

NEW YORK – Starting today Wed., Dec. 26, all Disaster Recovery Centers have resumed normal operating hours. Next week, recovery centers will host storm survivors until noon New Year’s Eve, will not be open on New Year’s Day and will return to business as usual Wed.,Jan. 2, 2013.

Since Nov. 1, New York Disaster Recovery Centers have offered information and help to more than 107,000 people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Individuals may visit any of the centers to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration or seek assistance in a variety of other ways. 

County by county and borough by borough, New York Disaster Recovery Centers currently are located at:

Nassau

Recreation and Ice Arena

700 Magnolia Blvd.

Long Beach, NY 11561

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

  

Sacred Heart Parish

RR station parking lot

127 Long Beach Rd.

Island Park, NY 11558

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Cedar Creek Park

Merrick Rd. East

Seaford, NY 11783

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Marjorie Post Community Center

477 Unqua Rd.

Massapequa, NY 11758

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Young Israel

Gymnasium

859 Peninsula Blvd.

Woodmere, NY 11598

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri.

Closed Sat.

 

Freeport Recreation Center

130 E. Merrick Rd.

Freeport, NY 11520

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Manhattan

Southbridge Towers 

Store No. 10

66 Frankfort St. New York, NY  10038

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

.

Queens

Fort Tilden Park

415 State Rd.

Breezy Point, NY 11697

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Community Church of the Nazarene

1414 Central Ave.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

American Legion

209 Cross Bay Blvd.

Broad Channel, NY 11693

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Storefront

1001 Beach 20th St.

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Arverne by the Sea

68-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

Arverne, NY 11692

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Richmond

Kia in Staten Island

1976 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, NY 10306

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Suffolk

Town Hall West

401 Main St.

Islip, NY 11751

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Mastic Recreation Community Center

15 Herkimer St.

Mastic, NY 11950

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Lindenhurst Library

1 Lee Ave.

Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Normal hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Kings

Holy Family R.C. Church

9719 Flatlands Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11236

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Coffey Park

85 Richards St.

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Knights of Columbus Hall

2882 Gerritsen Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11229

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

Social Security Building

Gravesend

10 Bouck Court

Brooklyn, NY 11223

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

 

Jewish Community Center

YM-YWHA

3300 Coney Island Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11235

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun.

 

MCU parking lot

1904 Surf Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11224

Normal hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

To find the nearest recovery center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or downloading the FEMA app. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Original article – 

Disaster Recovery Centers Resume Normal Hours after Holiday

NEW YORK—New York State survivors of Hurricane Sandy whose disaster-related needs cannot be met with existing federal and state assistance will now have access to case management services to identify additional resources for their recovery.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that more than $9.6 million in federal funds has been made available for the Disaster Case Management program, which is fully funded by FEMA and administered by the state in partnership with nonprofit, community-based agencies.

Through this program, disaster survivors will have a single point of contact for a broad range of services to help identify resources to meet their needs.

“It’s going to take the whole community working together to help New Yorkers with their recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “Disaster case management is an integral part of helping survivors become self-sufficient. This grant brings together the resources of the state and federal government, in coordination with local communities, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, to match the needs of survivors with the services available within their communities.”

Case managers will assist disaster survivors in developing a goal-oriented plan for their recovery, match survivors’ essential needs to available resources in the area and monitor their progress toward reaching recovery goals. Services are available to any survivor with disaster-caused unmet needs.

At the request of the state, the program is operating in Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties and offering case management services for up to 24 months.

The State of New York is working with FEMA on a request for additional disaster case management assistance in the five boroughs of New York City.

Survivors who have unmet needs are encouraged to call 2-1-1 for information on services available in their area and referrals to case management services.  For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Read the article:  

Grant Will Help Sandy Survivors with Unmet Needs

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is just one part of the disaster recovery team. A variety of local, state and federal resources are available to help New Yorkers repair or rebuild their homes.

FEMA has approved $700 million in housing assistance for individuals and families. The assistance can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

To be considered for eligibility, Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York should register before the Jan. 28, 2013 deadline.

Individuals can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate

24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

­______________________________________________________________________________

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York has made $1 billion in Disaster Relief Funding available to 340 community based lenders to help rebuild in the states of New York and New Jersey. The funding is available to be used as immediate “gap financing.” The $1 billion CLP commitment can be used for any residential lending activity for households whose incomes are at or below 115 percent of the area median income.

The funds can be used for Public/Private infrastructure projects, such as roads, utilities and sewers. For more information, visit: www.fhlbny.com/.

______________________________________________________________________________

Community Development Corporation of Long Island is offering an emergency home repair loan fund that is available to assist homeowners with loans up to $5,000 for homeowners whose incomes are under 120 percent of the area median income, roughly at or below $129,000 for a family of four. For more information, visit: www.cdcli.org/.

______________________________________________________________________________

Governor Cuomo’s Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund.

This is a grant and does not require repayment. 

The grant can provide up to an additional $10,000 for survivors who have already qualified for FEMA housing assistance and received the maximum grant of $31,900, and the FEMA award did not cover the full cost of making essential repairs.

This funding cannot duplicate assistance received from other governmental agencies or insurance.

The survivors eligible for this assistance will be referred from FEMA to the state and contacted directly.

For more information on this program, visit: http://scoem.suffolkcountyny.gov/OEM/DisasterHomeownershipRepairandRebuildingFund.aspx.

For more information about how New York State can help you, call: (855) 697-7263.

____________________________________________________________________________

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To expand housing options for families displaced by Hurricane Sandy, HUD is allowing local public housing agencies to increase their rent payment standard up to 120 percent of the published “Fair Market Rent” (FMR), thereby giving low-income families more options in finding available housing. For families impacted by Hurricane Sandy, HUD is granting a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of FHA-insured home mortgages. For more information on HUD, visit hportal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD.

Home Affordable Modification Program

Homeowners struggling to stay in their homes may be eligible to apply for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in order to lower their monthly mortgage payments and make them more affordable.

Homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer as soon as possible to begin the HAMP evaluation process.

In order to help with the housing crunch, homeowner eligibility has been widened to include:

  • Homeowners who are applying for a modification on a home that is not their primary residence, but the property is currently rented or the homeowner intends to rent it.
  • Homeowners who previously did not qualify for HAMP because their debt-to-income ratio was 31 percent or lower.
  • Homeowners who previously received a HAMP trial period plan, but defaulted in their trial payments.
  • Homeowners who previously received a HAMP permanent modification, but defaulted in their payments, therefore losing good standing. 

For more information visit: http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lower-payments/Pages/hamp.aspx

_____________________________________________________________________________

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 for qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 for qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

Continue reading – 

FEMA’s Partners Helping Fund Housing Repairs in NYC

70 percent of Hurricane Sandy’s 6 million cubic yards of debris has been picked up

Hurricane Sandy’s strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge brought down trees and power lines, damaged houses, schools and businesses and in its wake created an estimated six million cubic yards of debris in New York state. In the seven weeks since the hurricane made landfall, 4.2 million cubic yards, 70 percent, has been collected.

In New York City alone, Hurricane Sandy left an estimated 2 million cubic yards of debris. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of New York Department of Sanitation have worked together to remove 1.8 million cubic yards, 90 percent of that debris.

“This has been a tremendous joint effort between FEMA, the Corps of Engineers, New York State, New York City and other local governments,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “Collecting and disposing of debris helps to clear the path for people to get back into their homes, schools to reopen and businesses to resume operations. “

After collection, debris is trucked to temporary staging areas where it is inspected and separated into categories. Items that can be recycled are prepared for reuse. Sand that was removed from roads near the shoreline is being sifted so it can be reused. Where practical, vegetative debris is ground and chipped. The remaining debris is disposed of in the safest, most cost effective manner possible. 

The FEMA Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations at least 75 percent of eligible debris removal costs.  The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds.

For debris removal to be eligible, the damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy, and the work must be necessary to:

  • Eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety,
  • Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public and private property when the measures are cost effective, or
  • Ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large.

To date, the Public Assistance program has awarded more than $98 million to local governments to assist with the cost of debris removal. For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Continued here – 

Removing Obstacles on the Road to Recovery

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