FEMA Community Relations Teams Serving Milford Area

WINDSOR, Conn. – Disaster assistance for people who experienced damage or loss from Hurricane Sandy begins with the first step – registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Registration opens the way to FEMA grants, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other state and federal aid for eligible applicants.

Community Relations specialists are in the Milford area this week to explain available programs and assist people with the registration process if needed.

“It doesn’t matter if you have insurance because sometimes disaster assistance may be available to help with damages that insurance won’t cover,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Registration is easy. Talk to the recovery specialists who are ready to help you through the process.”

People with storm losses who still need to register with FEMA can do so anytime online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime day or night by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. People who use TTY can call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available.

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.