Less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance

NEW YORK – Disaster help begins with registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Feb. 27 deadline is coming up soon.

Less than two weeks remain for Hurricane Sandy survivors to register for help from FEMA. That’s the same deadline for returning the disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Since Sandy made landfall in late October, FEMA and SBA have approved more than $1.8 billion for survivors in New York. FEMA has approved nearly $900 million for individuals and households (at the close of business Feb. 13).

Registering for help is as easy as calling the FEMA helpline, which operates from

7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice. Hurricane Sandy survivors can register by calling 800-621-3362 (7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services are available) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

To register online, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on smartphone at m.fema.gov.

SBA has approved almost $912 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters and more than $62 million in disaster businesses loans.

More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

A simple and fast way to complete an SBA application is online. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

FEMA and SBA representatives are available to answer questions at each Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, use the locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov.

You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text:  DRC 10301. Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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.

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 temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.