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Jefferson Parish Disaster Recovery Center in Marrero Closes Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Jefferson Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Marrero. The center closes permanently at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.10.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can visit the other two Jefferson Parish recovery centers located in Lafitte and Metairie.

Survivors may also contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

5801 Leo Kerner Pkwy.

Marrero, LA 70072

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Jefferson Parish Disaster Recovery Center in Marrero Closes Saturday

Plaquemines Parish Disaster Recovery Center Hours Change Monday

BATON ROUGE, La. — The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers open in Port Sulphur and Braithwaite will change their hours of operation effective Monday, Nov. 5.

The updated hours for these two centers will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, closed Sundays.

The recovery centers are located in:

Port Sulphur:

28028 Hwy. 23

Port Sulphur, LA 70083

Braithwaite:

111 Bethleham St.

Braithwaite, LA 70040

State/FEMA recovery specialists are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to Hurricane Isaac survivors. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Survivors may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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Plaquemines Parish Disaster Recovery Center Hours Change Monday

Hurricane Survivors Warned of Fake Building Contractors

BATON ROUGE, La. – With more than $218 million in state and federal recovery dollars in the hands of Louisiana’s Hurricane Isaac survivors, fake building contractors and other con artists are angling to get their hands on some of it, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns.

Scam artists and other criminals often attempt to prey on vulnerable survivors once they have some money in hand to repair their storm-damaged homes. Authorities in Louisiana have already received isolated reports of unscrupulous people doing just that.

“While homeowners are anxious to repair their homes as quickly as they can, we urge them to first check the credentials of anyone offering to do those repairs,” said Gerard M. Stolar, federal coordinating officer for FEMA’s Louisiana-based recovery operation. “Asking just a few questions can save people from a lot of heartache.”

Homeowners do have a valuable resource to help them determine whether someone is a legitimate professional. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors offers an online database that allows people to check up on potential contractors: http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/findcontractor.asp.

The site also includes a “For Consumers” pull-down tab, which includes a public education section, complete with tips for hiring contractors and managing costs, including advice on determining appropriate down payments and payment schedules.

The most common post-disaster fraud practices include not only fraudulent building contractors, but phony housing inspectors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid. Those who suspect fraud should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local authorities or through the Louisiana Attorney General’s office at 1-800-351-4889 or online at www.ag.state.la.us.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

Source:

Hurricane Survivors Warned of Fake Building Contractors

Hurricane Isaac Survivors: Keep Your Receipts

Main Content

Release date:

November 7, 2012

Release Number:

DR-4081-069

CLINTON, Miss. – Hurricane Isaac survivors who received money from FEMA must keep the receipts or bills for which the money was used for three years.

FEMA assistance must be used for eligible disaster expenses only, as identified in the approval letter from the agency. You must save documentation that demonstrates how the funds were used in meeting your disaster-related needs. Examples include:

Receipts for items purchased for home repair.
Contractor invoices.
Proof of hotel room charges if you received housing assistance.
Rent payment receipts if you received housing assistance.
Receipts for moving and storage expenses.
Receipts for repairing or replacing personal property.

More information on FEMA programs for individuals and households can be found in the “Help After a Disaster” guide. The guide was mailed to each applicant but also is available online at fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

Last Updated:

November 7, 2012 – 12:53

State or Region:

Mississippi

Related Disaster:

Mississippi Hurricane Isaac

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Hurricane Isaac Survivors: Keep Your Receipts

FEMA Announces Temporary Housing Rental Assistance Increase in New York and New Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of ongoing efforts to ensure families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy get the support they need, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that the agency is increasing the amount of rental assistance that it may provide eligible disaster survivors in New York and New Jersey. The rental amount, based on existing HUD Fair Market Rates (FMR) for fiscal 2013, is being increased by an additional 25 percent.

HUD FMR rates are rental cost estimates that include the cost of the shelter and all other tenant-paid utilities except telephone, cable, and internet services. HUD designs annual FMR levels to be high enough to allow for a wide selection of available units, yet low enough so that as many units as possible may be rented and provided to low-income families.

Immediately after the recent disasters in the Northeast, FEMA evaluated the number of available rental resources within Metropolitan New York and Northern New Jersey that might be available to house disaster survivors. It was quickly apparent that the cost of available rental units could become a limiting factor, so FEMA authorized funds to increase the existing rental assistance in New York and New Jersey to exceed current FY2013 levels by 125 percent. The increase will be implemented when the survivor is recertified for a continued need for temporary housing assistance. Disaster survivors are free to rent properties above the 125 percent FMR, but will only receive assistance up to the 125 percent FMR.

The approved FMR increase is expected to make an additional 1,800 rental resources available for temporary housing of disaster-impacted families in New York, and an additional 1,200 rental resources available for similar families in New Jersey.

The increase in the FMR for New York and New Jersey is one of many ways FEMA is committed to supporting survivors in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states as they begin their disaster recovery efforts.

FEMA encourages all the affected states to take the lead in identifying their local needs and resources by convening state-led Housing Task Forces. These individualized task forces help ensure the states continue to have the authority to select from available temporary housing solutions they deem sufficient to meet the needs of their residents following a disaster. The state Housing Task Forces in New York and New Jersey have already begun meeting with FEMA representatives and recovery housing plans are underway.

Families and individuals in the declared counties who are registered for federal disaster assistance and seeking rental resources can search through hundreds of listings on the FEMA Housing Portal at asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm. The site is updated regularly but families are advised that properties listed in the Housing Portal are only potential housing options, and they should contact the property owner to check if the listed unit is still available.

The FEMA Housing Portal consolidates rental resources identified and provided by a variety of federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA), but also lists rental properties provided by private organizations and property owners willing to help their neighbors during these difficult times.

Source –

FEMA Announces Temporary Housing Rental Assistance Increase in New York and New Jersey

FEMA Approves $156 Million in Individual Assistance for New York’s Sandy Survivors

Main Content

Release date:

November 6, 2012

Release Number:

NR-007

NEW YORK CITY — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York a week ago, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $156 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Nov. 6:

More than 123,000 New Yorkers have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.
20 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) have been opened in the nine declared counties.
1,556 FEMA personnel deployed to New York in response to Hurricane Sandy.
More than 800 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door to door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
More than 1,000 inspectors in the field have completed more than 13,300 home inspections.
New York’s major disaster declaration was amended so that the nine declared counties are approved for all categories of Public Assistance, which includes reimbursement for eligible costs of emergency response services, debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

Last Updated:

November 7, 2012 – 13:14

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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FEMA Approves $156 Million in Individual Assistance for New York’s Sandy Survivors

Two More New York Counties Designated for Assistance

ALBANY, NY. – Two additional New York counties have been designated to receive federal disaster assistance for individuals, families and businesses that sustained damage resulting from Hurricane Sandy, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials.

“The damage from the hurricane in Rockland and Westchester counties was widespread and severe,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “These funds will help get families and businesses back on their feet.”

On Oct. 30, 2012, President Obama initially issued a major disaster declaration for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk, that triggered the release of federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from Hurricane Sandy that began Oct. 27, 2012, and continuing.

Individual assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for rental housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Disaster survivors have several ways to apply.

Individuals can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Another option is to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice.

Rockland and Westchester have also been approved for federal Public Assistance to pay for emergency work which must be performed to reduce or eliminate an immediate threat to life, protect public health and safety, and to protect improved property that is threatened in a significant way as a result of the disaster

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Two More New York Counties Designated for Assistance

FEMA Public Assistance Extended in Nine New York Counties Hit By Hurricane Sandy

ALBANY, NY – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today has extended federal disaster aid in nine New York counties to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Eligible applicants in the counties of Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester can now apply for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) reimbursement for repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other facilities.

The nine counties already had been designated for FEMA Public Assistance funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

“The additional federal infrastructure funding is intended to help New York’s hard-hit communities recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne.

Supplementary funding under the PA program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations.

Under the program, the federal share of a project’s expenses typically cannot be less than 75 percent of eligible costs. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

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FEMA Public Assistance Extended in Nine New York Counties Hit By Hurricane Sandy

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk Counties

ALBANY, NY — Eight Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Specialists from the state of New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of help available to storm survivors.

The Disaster Recovery Centers act as a one-stop shop for eligible survivors to meet with state and federal workers and get help as quickly as possible.

Disaster recovery officials work closely with community leaders to find DRC locations that provide safe and easy access for all survivors. More centers will open as sites are identified and approved.

Although it can be a convenient way to get one-on-one help, visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for disaster survivors.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

All DRCs are open seven days a week. Locations and hours are:

Bronx
Edgewater Park Volunteer Fire Department
1 Adee Drive
Bronx, NY 10465
Hours 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Kings County
Cyclone Stadium
1904 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Hours 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Nassau County
Nassau Community College
1 Education Drive
Garden City, NY 11530
Hours 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Queens County
Fort Tilden Park
199 Rockaway Point Blvd.
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Hours 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Duane Reade
B116 Beach Channel Drive
Far Rockaway, NY 11694
Hours 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Richmond County
Miller Field
600 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Mount Loretto
6581 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10309
Hours 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Suffolk County
Opening Monday, Nov. 5th
H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Hours:1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

This article –

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk Counties

FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance Available for Hurricane Sandy Evacuees With Inaccessible or Unlivable Homes

ALBANY, NY -– The Federal Emergency Management Agency, at the request of the state of New York, has activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allows eligible evacuees from Hurricane Sandy, who cannot return to their homes, to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations are available.

This federal assistance is intended to provide a place to stay for a longer period of time for evacuees whose neighborhoods are not accessible or whose houses have been destroyed. The initial period of assistance is from Nov. 3, 2012 to Nov. 17, 2012. However, this federal program will not reimburse applicants for previously incurred hotel expenses. Applicants are responsible for their own meals and for any lodging costs above the authorized allowance.

“To be eligible to receive this federal assistance you must register with FEMA,” said Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Michael F. Byrne. “Keep in mind the TSA initiative is only a temporary fix. We are working diligently with our state and local partners to develop a long-term housing solution to help people until their homes and communities are repaired or rebuilt. But, again, you must register with FEMA to be able to benefit from this short-term aid.”

You can register for FEMA assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY)
1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Eligible evacuees must fit the following criteria:

FEMA must be able to verify the identity of the evacuee;
The primary residence of the evacuee must be in one of the counties that has been designated a disaster area; and
The primary residence is inaccessible or unlivable due to damage or lack of power.

TSA allows eligible individuals or families to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time and have the cost of the room and taxes paid directly to the hotel by FEMA. Meals, telephone calls and other incidental charges are not covered.

More here:

FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance Available for Hurricane Sandy Evacuees With Inaccessible or Unlivable Homes

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