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New Disaster Recovery Center Open in Rockland County

NEW YORK – The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have a new Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland County to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

The center’s location and hours are:

River View Park
Beach Road (Rt. 110) and E. Main St. (Rt.108)
Stony Point, NY 10980
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sun., Dec. 9

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get face-to-face help as quickly as possible.

In addition to the new site in Rockland County, about 30 other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open throughout New York to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who sustained damage in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

To find the one nearest you, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

This article is from –

New Disaster Recovery Center Open in Rockland County

Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers Hours Change, Old Saybrook DRC Closing

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hours for all Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers change beginning Saturday, Dec. 8. The center in Old Saybrook will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. The schedule is as follows:

Now through Friday, Dec.7, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After the Old Saybrook Disaster Recovery Center closes and beginning Dec. 10, hours for the remaining centers will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Centers are closed on Sundays.

Disaster Recovery Center locations are:

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06381

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

(Closes Dec. 8)

Senior Center

100 Mona Terrace

Fairfield, CT 06824

Simon Lake Elementary School (former)

65 Devonshire Rd.

Milford, CT 06460

Homeowners or renters who suffered damages in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. 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 by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach multilingual operators.

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; 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 (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.

Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers Hours Change, Old Saybrook DRC Closing

Federal Aid Programs for the District of Columbia

Main Content

Release date:

December 5, 2012

Release Number:

HQ-12-155Factsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the District of Columbia.

Assistance for the District and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, district administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, district administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by the district and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, district administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/district applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the district from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

December 5, 2012 – 21:54

State or Region:

District of Columbia (DC)

and

Region III

Related Disaster:

District of Columbia (DC) Hurricane Sandy

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Federal Aid Programs for the District of Columbia

Disaster Assistance from FEMA Based on Individual Loss, Need

WINDSOR, Conn. – Federal disaster assistance for Connecticut’s Hurricane Sandy survivors is based on the unique needs and losses of each individual applicant.

“FEMA’s goal is to help anyone who suffered damage to receive every bit of assistance we offer,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “One household may receive more or less than the one next door, but that’s driven by varying needs and damage.”

Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, as well as the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations within New London County, are designated for assistance to individuals under the Major Disaster Declaration of Oct 30.

Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to address the needs of each individual. FEMA specialists are trained to coordinate assistance from various sources, such as other federal and state agencies, and volunteer and faith-based organizations. Assistance may include direct grants, low-interest disaster loans or other support to help residents recover from a disaster.

No matter how large or small the loss, anyone who experienced damage from Sandy should register with FEMA. It does not matter whether the survivor has insurance or not, or is a homeowner or renter.

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. 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 by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

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.

Source:

Disaster Assistance from FEMA Based on Individual Loss, Need

Take Precautions in Your Home After Hurricane Sandy

NEW YORK – As New Yorkers remain in their homes or begin to consider returning home following Hurricane Sandy, the State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge them to be careful, remain safe and plan properly for their future well-being.

Some suggestions:

Look for external damage
Examine the foundation, roof and chimney for cracks or other damage. If obvious damage is found or serious safety doubts exist, contact a building inspector.

Keep generators outside
Those who remain without power should only use generators or other fuel-powered machines outdoors. Such machines emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes, which are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.

Clean safely and beware of mold
Flooding causes dampness where mold, mildew and various organisms thrive. Mold may induce respiratory problems, so it is important to use proper procedures when cleaning. Use a combination of household bleach and soap or detergent (but never mix bleach with ammonia) to wash down walls and other mold-contaminated areas. You can also open windows and doors and turn on fans to help dry out interiors. For more information about mold, go to: http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/7287/

Avoid Scam Artists
As you plan long-term repair and rebuilding projects, be aware that natural disasters can bring out criminals looking to prey on victims by offering fraudulent services. Among other precautions, get three estimates for repair work, check the credentials of contractors and consult your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to learn about any complaints against the contractors.

Ways to get help:

Register with FEMA for federal disaster assistance
Survivors who haven’t yet registered should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice, and assistance is offered in most languages. Individuals may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. If you have a speech disability or hearing impairment and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; call 800-621-3362 if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS).

“Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP)” Program is in effect
The STEP Program helps restore temporary electricity, heat and hot water by funding emergency residential repairs through local governments for those whose homes can be used to shelter in place while permanent repair work continues.

If you live in the five boroughs of New York City, call 311 for information about STEP.
If you live in Suffolk County, call 211.
If you live in Nassau County, call 888-684-4267.

Expedited partial flood-insurance payments may be available
To allow National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders to remain safely in damaged residences, FEMA in some circumstances is allowing claim payments to be made even before inspections and repair estimates are obtained for equipment that provides heat and hot water. The inspection and report still have to be completed later. For complete details on the accelerated NFIP payment program, policyholders must contact their insurance company or agent.

Low-interest disaster loans from SBA
U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans are a major source of federal rebuilding funds for homeowners, renters and businesses. Completing a disaster loan application is part of the FEMA grant process. Homeowners and renters may qualify for loans of up to $200,000 for repair or replacement of damaged real estate. Up to $40,000 may be available to repair or replace personal property. Applications can be completed online via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance also is available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov .

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Source article:

Take Precautions in Your Home After Hurricane Sandy

R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

WARWICK, R.I. – The State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Westerly and Middletown will close permanently on Friday, December 7, at 6 p.m. The Recovery Center in Westerly will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center starting on Monday. Hours and locations are

Disaster Recovery Center, Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
Disaster Recovery Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Opens Monday, December 10. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Rhode Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy do not need to visit a Recovery Center to register for or receive disaster aid. Registration for federal disaster assistance remains open until January 14, 2013.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). The phone line is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. Rhode Islanders with questions about federal disaster assistance or their registration may call 800-621-3362 and select the “help” option.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can provide information about federal disaster assistance and other recovery programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low interest disaster recovery loans to homeowners, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to cover disaster recovery costs not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace furniture, appliances, cars and clothing damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets.

Specialists at the S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Westerly starting Monday can answer questions about disaster recovery loans and provide assistance with applications.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, 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.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

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R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Stores in Milford, New Haven and Orange

Main Content

Release date:

December 4, 2012

Release Number:

038

WINDSOR, Conn. – Outreach teams from FEMA will be at Lowe’s home improvement stores in Milford, New Haven and Orange this weekend to explain techniques that may reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from future flooding.

Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer “how-to” information for retrofitting buildings and elevating utilities. Specialists can also provide clean up tips for removing mold and mildew from a storm-damaged home.

FEMA teams will be at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9:

Lowe’s – 311 Old Gate Lane, Milford, CT 06460
Lowe’s – 115 Foxon Blvd., New Haven, CT 06513
Lowe’s – 50 Boston Post Road, Orange, CT 06477

Information will include instructions on how to:

Relocate circuit breaker panels, outlets and switches above potential floodwaters;
Move washer and dryer hookups to a higher floor;
Elevate furnaces and water heaters; and
Prevent sewer backups with a backflow valve.

More information on ways to protect your home from future disasters is available at www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

Last Updated:

December 4, 2012 – 14:50

State or Region:

Connecticut

Related Disaster:

Connecticut Hurricane Sandy

Credit:

Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Stores in Milford, New Haven and Orange

Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

WINDSOR, Conn. – Not every Connecticut resident who registered for federal disaster assistance following Hurricane Sandy will qualify for aid. But an appeal process can ensure those affected by the storm will receive all aid to which they are legally eligible.

An applicant has 60 days from the day a determination letter arrives to appeal the FEMA decision.

To file an appeal, write a letter explaining why the decision about the amount or type of assistance received is not correct. The letter should include any documents supporting the applicant’s claim.

The letter should also include:

the FEMA Disaster number (DR-4087-CT);
the applicant’s FEMA registration number;
the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number; and
the applicant’s name on all pages of the letter.

Additional information is available on Pages 9-11 of the FEMA booklet, “Help after a Disaster: Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals & Households Program.”

The letter must be signed, dated and mailed to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Letters may also be faxed to 800-827-8112 with a cover sheet to: Attention – FEMA.

If applicants do not get the assistance they expected, the FEMA appeal process is a way to revisit the survivor’s application and information.

Applicants who do not understand the FEMA determination letter should ask questions via the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. For the location of a convenient recovery center, go to: http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

For a video on filing an appeal: http://go.usa.gov/ggkF

The deadline to register is Dec. 31. 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; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

Register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Register or get questions answered by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wait for the English message to finish to reach the multilingual operators.

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Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right of Appeal

How to Replace Documents Lost in a Disaster

Main Content

Release date:

December 4, 2012

Release Number:

NR-073

NEW YORK – One of the dire consequences of any disaster for many people is the loss of important documents. Often, such documents are needed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state emergency services in order to process assistance applications for those who suffered losses or damage to their homes and belongings.

If papers are gone – like birth certificates, Social Security cards, drivers’ licenses, tax records, etc. – New York state and FEMA are advising residents on how to recover them:

Birth certificates: If you were born within the confines of the five boroughs of New York City, visit or write to the Office of Vital Records, 125 Worth Street, Room 133, New York, N.Y. 10013. (A photo ID is required both by mail and in person.) The office advises the fastest way to get records is online at www.nyc.gov/vitalrecords. The phone number is (212) 788-4520.
- To download and print an application, log onto http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/vr/birth1.pdf ; to apply online, log onto www.nyc.gov/vitalrecords.
If you were born in New York state outside of New York City, log onto www.vitalchek.com or phone 877-854-4481. This will connect you to a company called VitalChek, which is contracted with the state to handle credit-card orders. There are modest fees involved.
Drivers’ licenses: Visit any New York Department of Motor Vehicles office. To find an office nearby, log onto www.dmv.ny.gov/index.htm and click on “Replace License or ID.”
Social Security cards: Call the U.S. Social Security office at 800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. For TTY users the number is 800-325-0778, or log onto www.ssa.gov/ssnumber for more information.
Federal tax records: Call the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, or log onto www.irs.gov.
New York state tax records: For copies of returns, log onto www.tax.ny.gov/help/contact/how_to_reach.htm. Click on “Get a copy of my return” and fill in the application. You can also apply for a tax-filing and payment extension for those directly affected by Hurricane Sandy at this site.
For copies of your utility bills, bank records, insurance policies, mortgage payments and the like, call the appropriate firm and speak to a customer-service representative.

To prevent further loss of vital documents, place the originals or copies in a sealable plastic bag or other watertight container and secure that container where it is best protected and can easily be located. It is also a good idea to make copies of vital and important documents and mail them to a friend or relative you can trust to keep them safe and retrievable.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Last Updated:

December 4, 2012 – 14:05

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

See original article:

How to Replace Documents Lost in a Disaster

Register With FEMA While Waiting for an Insurance Settlement

NEW YORK – Disaster assistance may cover damages that insurance doesn’t. That is why individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy are urged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to apply for assistance even if they have insurance.

Apply for FEMA assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by tablet or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Register by phone by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing impairment and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Keep in mind that you need to file your insurance claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. Failure to file a claim may affect a policyholder’s eligibility for disaster assistance.

After filing a claim, if any of the following situations occur, FEMA may be able to provide some assistance:

Your insurance settlement is delayed.

“Delayed” means a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed the claim.
If a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed, you will need to mail or fax a letter to FEMA explaining the circumstance. Mail or fax your letter to:
FEMA IHP
National Processing Service Center
PO Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Fax: 1-800-827-8112

You should include documentation from the insurance company proving that you filed the claim.
If you filed your claim over the telephone, you should include the claim number, date when you applied, and the estimated time of how long it will take to receive your settlement.
If you receive FEMA assistance and you later find that your insurance will cover what your FEMA assistance was for, then you must return that money to FEMA because it is considered a duplicate benefit.

You have exhausted the Additional Living Expenses (ALE) provided by your insurance company.

If you have received the maximum settlement from your insurance for Additional Living Expenses and still need help with your disaster-related temporary housing need, mail or fax a letter to FEMA at the above address indicating why you continue to have a temporary housing need.
You will also need to provide documentation to prove use of ALE from insurance, and a permanent housing plan.

You have up to 12 months from the date of registration with FEMA to submit insurance information for review.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog

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