Hurricane Sandy Survivors May Now Use FEMA Rental Assistance for Security Deposits

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hurricane Sandy survivors may now be able to use temporary rental assistance funds to help pay for a security deposit, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reported today.

Survivors may use up to one month of FEMA rent money to cover required security deposits. Those who need more help with rent can show a security deposit receipt to support a request for additional assistance. Survivors must also show a continuing need. This money may not be used to pay for telephone or television service or utilities. For more information, contact FEMA’s toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Federal and state officials encourage residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties and the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County to apply for assistance as soon as possible.

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register, check status of applications or receive other assistance at the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern, seven days a week, until further notice. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available during the same hours at the close of the English message.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance, nor does it disqualify anyone from applying for assistance. Flood insurance claims are handled separately.

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 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.