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30 Days Left for New Yorkers to Register for FEMA Disaster Aid

New York – New York State and federal officials remind those affected by Hurricane Sandy that they have 30 days left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible federal disaster assistance.

Applications must be received by Monday, Dec. 31, to be considered for disaster assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Anyone who sustained a loss in any of the 13 New York counties designated for federal disaster assistance should register before the deadline even if they have insurance.

Federal disaster assistance may help eligible applicants with temporary housing, disaster-related uninsured personal property losses, medical, dental and funeral expenses, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance even if they have contacted the state, their local emergency management agency, the American Red Cross or other charitable organizations.

Anyone who has not registered with FEMA for disaster aid, has questions about their application or needs more information about recovery programs should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, can call 800-462-7585 directly; people who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), can call 800-621-3362.

Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who have a speech disability or hearing loss) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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30 Days Left for New Yorkers to Register for FEMA Disaster Aid

Low-Interest Disaster Loans Fuel Connecticut Recovery

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors are putting low-interest disaster loans to good use.

The loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are being used to:

• Make home repairs not covered by insurance;
• Replace clothing, appliances and vehicles;
• Make improvements to reduce the risk of future damage; and
• Refinance existing liens or mortgages on homes.

SBA loans are the major source of federal disaster recovery funding and may be available for other uses as well. For example, renters may be eligible for loans to cover some of their personal property losses, including vehicles. There are also loans for businesses and nonprofit organizations as well.

Applications from the SBA are mailed to most survivors who register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Returning the loan application is an important step in the recovery process because it may qualify the applicant for more FEMA grants. No one is obligated to accept a loan, if offered.

“Even the maximum amount FEMA is allowed to award won’t replace a home destroyed in a hurricane,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Most disaster recovery is funded by low-interest loans from the SBA.”

SBA can lend homeowners up to $200,000 to repair or replace their home and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Disaster loans have distinct advantages:
• Home loans are as low as 1.688 percent
• There are no points or application fees
• Loans are available before insurance settlements are made
• SBA can write loans based on the cost of replacing the home today

The deadline to file for an SBA Home Disaster Loan is Dec. 31.

SBA offers online application through its Electronic Loan Application site at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Survivors can call the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/sandy.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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.

Original post:

Low-Interest Disaster Loans Fuel Connecticut Recovery

Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Stores in Norwalk, Bridgeport and Stratford

WINDSOR, Conn. – An outreach team from FEMA will be at Home Depot stores in Norwalk, Bridgeport and Stratford this weekend to explain techniques that may reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from future flooding.

Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer “how-to” information for retrofitting buildings and elevating utilities. Specialists can also provide clean up tips for removing mold and mildew from a storm-damaged home.

FEMA teams will be at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2:

• Home Depot – Norwalk, 600 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854
• Home Depot – Bridgeport, 656 Reservoir Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06606
• Home Depot – Stratford, 350 Barnum Ave. Cutoff, Stratford, CT 06614

Information will include instructions on how to:

• Relocate circuit breaker panels, outlets and switches above potential floodwaters;
• Move washer and dryer hookups to a higher floor;
• Elevate furnaces and water heaters; and
• Prevent sewer backups with a backflow valve.

More information on ways to protect your home from future disasters is available at www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

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Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Stores in Norwalk, Bridgeport and Stratford

FEMA Awards $39 Million in Debris Removal Funding

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved two Public Assistance (PA) grants totaling more than $39 million to reimburse the city of Long Beach and Nassau County for 75 percent of their costs for debris removal due to Hurricane Sandy.

$24 million will go to the city of Long Beach; $15 million will be awarded to Nassau County. FEMA does not perform the actual debris removal work; it reimburses the local governments that contract for the eligible work.

Strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Sandy brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines throughout Nassau County. Within the city of Long Beach, heavy rains and a six foot storm surge deposited more than 330,000 cubic yards of debris, 400,000 cubic yards of sand and 2,550 cubic yards of vegetative debris throughout the city.

Collecting and clearing out piles of debris has been one of the most difficult and time-consuming challenges of the recovery. Through hard work and persistence over the past month, debris piles are dwindling and, in many cases, disappearing altogether. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of eligible debris removal costs. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

“FEMA is committed to getting people back into their homes” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “A critical step is clearing debris out of the way so the recovery can progress. We will continue to work alongside our partners in New York state and local government until the job is finished.”

Under FEMA’s PA program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for, at a minimum, 75 percent of eligible costs. The remaining 25 percent is covered provided by non-federal funds. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

For debris removal to be eligible, 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.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/40805. You can follow FEMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Awards $39 Million in Debris Removal Funding

New Disaster Recovery Centers Open in White Lake, Freeport

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that new Disaster Recovery Centers are open in White Lake and Freeport to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Their locations and hours of operation are:

Cornelius Duggan School
3460 Rte. 55
White Lake, NY 12786
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Fri., Nov. 30

Freeport Recreation Center
130 East Merrick Rd.
Freeport, NY 11520
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get face-to-face help as quickly as possible. More centers will become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

In addition to the new sites in White Lake and Freeport, more than 30 other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open throughout New York to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who sustained damage in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

To find the one nearest you, 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.

Other help is available from roughly 1,000 FEMA community relations personnel who are blanketing damaged neighborhoods door to door, delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents to register for assistance when needed. These personnel can help refer

survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help also can be obtained by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice, and assistance is offered in most languages. Individuals may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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

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New Disaster Recovery Centers Open in White Lake, Freeport

Schedule Changes for Disaster Recovery Centers

WARWICK, R.I. – Saturday is the last day of operation for the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Recovery Center in South Kingstown. The Recovery Centers in Westerly and Middletown remain open, but with new operating hours.

The new schedule, starting Saturday, December 1, is as follows:

Union Fire Station (Community Room), 131 Asa Pond Road, South Kingstown, R.I.
Saturday, 8 A.M.-4 P.M. Permanently closed after Saturday.

Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I.
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, R.I.
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are at the Disaster Recovery Centers to answer questions, check application status, provide information about rebuilding to lower the risk of damage from future floods, and offer referrals to other programs.

Also at the Recovery Centers are representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist both individuals and businesses with applications for low interest disaster recovery loans.

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. To register, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or to m.fema.gov if using a smartphone or call 800-621-FEMA (3362), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech disability may use TTY 800-462-7585.

To register you will need:

Current and pre-disaster address
Current phone number
Social Security number
Insurance information, if insured
Total household income
Description of losses caused by Hurricane Sandy
Bank account and routing number (for direct deposit of assistance funds)

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Link –

Schedule Changes for Disaster Recovery Centers

Follow FEMA on Twitter

WINDSOR, Conn. – FEMA and the state of Connecticut invite residents affected by Hurricane Sandy to follow them on Twitter to stay up-to-date about ongoing recovery efforts. The Twitter channels @FEMARegion1 and @FEMASandy feature FEMA’s most recent mission-related information.

The Twitter channels @ctdemhs and @govmalloyoffice provide updates from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the office of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Twitter is a free information network connecting users to the latest stories, ideas and news on any topic. One does not have to post “tweets” to benefit from Twitter – users can contribute or just “listen in” and retrieve up-to-the-minute information.

On Twitter, FEMA and Connecticut post links to everything from registering for assistance to the location of Disaster Recovery Centers. FEMA and the state also “retweet” posts from other agencies, state officials and voluntary organizations concerning disaster response, available assistance and recovery programs. Twitter users can share this information with their friends and family to help get important information to storm survivors in need.

Twitter is a great way for anyone to use their own social network to help their community by sharing useful information, especially in the wake of a disaster.

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

For accessibility: The recommended font type is sans serif 12 point for regular print and sans serif 18 point when specifically printed for people with vision impairments.

Source:

Follow FEMA on Twitter

Readout of FEMA Administrator Fugate’s visit to New York & New Jersey

WASHINGTON — Today, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate traveled to New York and New Jersey to meet with federal, state and local officials and to discuss ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy. During his visit, Administrator Fugate emphasized that communities in impacted states have the continued, full support of FEMA and the federal family.

In Freeport, NY, Administrator Fugate met with state and local officials to discuss recovery planning for Freeport and Nassau County and how federal programs can support local efforts. Following the meeting, Administrator Fugate surveyed damage in some of the county’s hardest hit areas.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for designated counties in New York and New Jersey.

Administrator Fugate next traveled to New Jersey, where he visited the Middlesex County Emergency Operations Center and met with state and local officials to discuss recovery efforts, both in the county and throughout the state of New Jersey. At the Sayreville Water Pumping Station, Administrator Fugate was briefed on the impact of Sandy on the station and the emergency efforts undertaken during the storm to restore operations at the facility.

In both New York and New Jersey, Administrator Fugate reiterated FEMA’s continued support for communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy and encouraged impacted residents to register for federal assistance.

President Obama declared major disasters for New York and New Jersey on October 30, making federal assistance available to affected individuals and businesses. Impacted residents in designated counties can apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

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Readout of FEMA Administrator Fugate’s visit to New York & New Jersey

Approved Funds for New York State Hurricane Sandy Survivors Tops $700 Million

Main Content

Release date:

November 28, 2012

Release Number:

NR-059

NEW YORK — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $703 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA is reaching out to all 13 designated counties, focusing on the hardest hit areas of New York state. Assistance to the hardest-hit areas includes:

Bronx $1.7 million
Kings $149.5 million
Nassau $234.8 million
New York $9.5 million
Queens $179.4 million
Richmond $73.9 million
Suffolk $51.1 million

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of November 28:

More than 236,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $703 million has been approved. More than 120,000 people have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov, or on their smart phone at m.fema.gov.
34 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 59,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
655 inspectors in the field have completed nearly 142,000 home inspections.
1,018 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout the affected communities, going door-to-door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
7 fixed feeding sites are being operated by the New York City Office of Emergency Management.
1 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs), 1 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), 2 Prescription Medication Task Force Team (PMTFT) and 1 National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) from the Department of Health and Human Services remain deployed in New York.
13 New York counties are designated for both individual and public assistance. Theses are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly $42 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA has staff members at 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has assessed 740 regulated facilities such as landfills, power plants and chemical facilities for impacts from Hurricane Sandy.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362. Multilingual telephone operators are available to help non-English-speaking survivors register for disaster aid and to get their questions answered.

Those with a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; for 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice.

Last Updated:

November 28, 2012 – 16:54

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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Approved Funds for New York State Hurricane Sandy Survivors Tops $700 Million

Federal Aid Programs for the State of New Hampshire Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

November 28, 2012

Release Number:

HQ-12-153Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the State of New Hampshire.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

November 28, 2012 – 15:22

State or Region:

New Hampshire

and

Region I

Related Disaster:

New Hampshire Hurricane Sandy

Source article –

Federal Aid Programs for the State of New Hampshire Declaration

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