All New Jersey Residents and Governments Now Eligible for Federal Disaster Assistance

TRENTON, N.J. — The full range of federal disaster assistance is now available for all 21 counties in New Jersey.

Expansion of federal help in recovering from Hurricane Sandy means that all New Jersey residents who have losses may apply for Individual Assistance. Depending on damage, help may be available to repair a dwelling to a basic safe, sanitary, livable condition. Cost of temporary lodging elsewhere may be available if the residence is inaccessible. Other needs that may be covered could include basic appliances, clothing, bedding and transportation.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits are available for those whose jobs were impacted by the hurricane. That includes people not normally eligible for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed persons and farm workers.

County and local governments will be eligible for at least 75 percent federal funding for hurricane-related emergency costs and debris removal from public roads and property, plus repair or replacement of a wide variety of public facilities. Those include public roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, public utilities, public parks, public recreation facilities and other public facilities.

Also eligible are certain private non-profit organizations that perform governmental-like public services.

Funding to prevent damage from future events also is available throughout New Jersey from the state-administered Hazard Mitigation Grant program.

Those who suffered hurricane damage may register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled cellphone or mobile device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Users of 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

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.