Two More New York Counties Designated for Assistance

ALBANY, NY. – Two additional New York counties have been designated to receive federal disaster assistance for individuals, families and businesses that sustained damage resulting from Hurricane Sandy, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials.

“The damage from the hurricane in Rockland and Westchester counties was widespread and severe,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “These funds will help get families and businesses back on their feet.”

On Oct. 30, 2012, President Obama initially issued a major disaster declaration for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk, that triggered the release of federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from Hurricane Sandy that began Oct. 27, 2012, and continuing.

Individual assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for rental housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Disaster survivors have several ways to apply.

Individuals can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
 
Another option is to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov  or via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week until further notice.

Rockland and Westchester have also been approved for federal Public Assistance to pay for emergency work which must be performed to reduce or eliminate an immediate threat to life, protect public health and safety, and to protect improved property that is threatened in a significant way as a result of the disaster