NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $2 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. This includes:

• Nearly $918 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
  • More than $793 million for housing assistance
  • More than $124 million for other needs
• More than $1.1 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses

Other assistance:

• More than $717 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and eligible nonprofit organizations that serve the public
• More than $2.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
• 5.3 million cubic yards of debris removed
• 269,192 people contacted FEMA for help or information
• 180,406 housing inspections completed
• 164,194 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
• More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
• 25 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. The phone lines operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, seven days a week.