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Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

NEW YORK — Federal Emergency Management Agency grants are not the only disaster assistance option for Hurricane Sandy survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s low-interest disaster loan program is another important source of assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses.

While some people prefer to avoid borrowing money to cover disaster-related expenses, additional unforeseen costs can arise down the road, leaving them without enough money to cover all expenses.

Additional financial gaps that may occur include:

Insurance not covering all repair or rebuilding costs;
Discovering disaster-related damage costs are more than the initial estimate; and
Finding additional damages.

Survivors who receive low-interest disaster loan applications from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the applications even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing this important step in the process, they may become eligible for other forms of assistance, including additional grants from FEMA for homeowners and renters.

Homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes, including people who own rental property, in designated counties can apply for low-interest disaster loans to pay for disaster-related damages. Applicants may apply for loans with SBA before insurance is settled.

Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles. Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up

to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as four percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as three percent.

Disaster loans with rates as low as 1.688 percent are available for homeowners and renters in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, which have been designated for FEMA individual assistance. Loan terms may be up to 30 years to make payments affordable.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. 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.

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and 12 SBA business recovery centers.

To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center 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).

To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955
(TTY 800-877-8339.)

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Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

FEMA Mississippi Operations Transfer from Clinton to Biloxi

CLINTON, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency/FEMA Joint Field Office and Operations Center will transfer to the Mississippi Recovery Office location in Biloxi on Nov. 21, and operate as a processing center.

The Clinton joint field office served as a hub for disaster operations following the landfall of Hurricane Isaac in Mississippi Aug. 28. The Biloxi recovery office was established in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina.

Before Isaac made landfall on the Gulf Coast, FEMA disaster personnel from across the country were on the ground to partner with the state to help individuals and communities.

At the height of response operations more than 800 FEMA personnel from every state, plus Canada, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico became part of the emergency response effort to support local and state emergency management. The staff included more than 60 Mississippians.

“The workforce we have brought here is an invaluable asset to Mississippi’s recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles. “We’re lucky to have a diverse group, including many Mississippians, all of whom possess a unique set of skills to help this state as it recovers from
Hurricane Isaac.”

Disaster personnel at the Clinton facility supported three recovery programs: Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation and Public Assistance.

The programs help Mississippi disaster survivors and communities recover from Hurricane Isaac, as well as ensure they are better prepared for future disasters.

Disaster personnel do more than assist in the state’s recovery. FEMA personnel also contribute to the local economy by occupying hotel rooms, eating at restaurants and shopping in stores.

More than 40 FEMA Corps volunteers also have contributed to the disaster response effort in Mississippi. FEMA Corps is part of a new program within AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps. These members are devoted solely to disaster response and recovery efforts.

Nearly 50 volunteer agencies and faith-based groups also contributed significantly to the recovery. Hard-hit individuals and families have benefitted from debris cleanup teams, chainsaw crews, tree removal, home repairs and other essential recovery services that have been provided for free.

As FEMA transitions the Clinton Joint Field Office, Mississippians should know that help is only a phone call or internet link away and the agency will continue to assist residents through to a full recovery.

To reach FEMA:

Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Visit m.fema.gov from a Smartphone.
Dial 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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.

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FEMA Mississippi Operations Transfer from Clinton to Biloxi

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.

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FEMA Community Relations Teams Serving Milford Area

Beware of Scams After Hurricane Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster recovery officials caution New Jersey residents to be on the alert for scam artists using old and new tricks to obtain vital information or take advantage of storm-weary survivors.

Be aware of the following scams used by con artists after a disaster:

Identity Theft

People may pretend to be employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or public utilities. By going door-to-door to storm-damaged homes, or by phone or on the internet, con artists may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers.

Remember:

A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone’s affiliation with these agencies. All authorized FEMA or SBA personnel display a laminated photo identification card, which they are required to wear at all times;

FEMA will request personal information only when the applicant first contacts FEMA. Survivors of Hurricane Sandy can register with FEMA in any of the following ways:

Online any time at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov
By phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
By 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) at 800-621-3361 or (TTY) 800-462-758.

On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative would ask only for the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number.

False Payment or Bribe

Imposters may ask for some form of service payment, or bribe – something no FEMA, SBA or federal agency employee should ever do. FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage but do not determine cost estimates. FEMA does not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

Con artists may pose as insurance specialists or expeditors, claiming they can convince FEMA to increase home repair damage aid or the insurer to pay a larger settlement. The scammers ask the applicant or policyholder to sign a contract giving them a percentage of the “increased” payment. The essence of the con is to take a percentage of the damage grant or policy settlement that would be given anyway. FEMA always deals directly with each applicant and is always willing to consider an appeal by sending a new inspector to review damaged property or claimed losses.

Home Repair Scams

Unregistered home improvement contractors may take the disaster survivor’s money and disappear, leaving unfinished work and unsafe homes. Before hiring a contractor, the survivor should check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to make sure the contractor is registered, as well as ask for a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance and verify the policy is valid. All contracts should be in writing, and reviewed before being signed. Full payment should not be made until the work is completed.

The local police department should be notified of suspected fraud.

Price Gouging

Excessive price increases are illegal. Check with the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or call 800-242-5846 if you suspect the prices are too high.

Charity Scams

Before donating, people should investigate to be sure the organization asking for donations is registered to solicit in New Jersey and ask how the money will be used.

For other questions, New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or by calling 800-242-5846.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Beware of Scams After Hurricane Sandy

Seventeen New Jersey/FEMA Briefings to Begin Tuesday to Help Local Governments Who Apply for Hurricane Sandy Infrastructure Losses

TRENTON , N.J. — New Jersey emergency managers in 21 counties will be briefed by New Jersey and Federal Emergency Management officials in a series of 17 meetings beginning Tuesday to help local governments who are seeking assistance in recovering from losses caused by Hurricane Sandy.

The meetings are designed to help local government officials, and any qualifying private entities that provide public access, to understand what is needed in preparing their requests for assistance. All applicants should contact their local emergency managers for further details.

The meetings are a process of a state-federal “Public Assistance” program that is designed to deal with infrastructure storm losses. They are not public events.

Locations and times of the meetings are:

DATE TIME COUNTIES LOCATION

11/13/2012 9:00 a.m. Cape May Cape May County OEM

30 West Mechanic Street

Cape May Court House NJ

11/13/2012 9:00 a.m. Middlesex Middlesex Fire Academy

Sayreville NJ

11/13/2012 1:00 p.m. Atlantic Atlantic County OEM

Egg Harbor NJ

11/13/2012 1:00 p.m. Union Kean University

Union NJ

11/14/2012 9:00 a.m. State Agencies ROIC (Media Room)

West Trenton NJ

11/14/2012 10:00 AM Ocean Ocean County

Toms River NJ

11/14/2012 9:00 AM Sussex/Passaic Passaic County Public

Wayne NJ

11/14/2012 1:00 PM Monmouth Monmouth Fire Academy

Freehold NJ

11/14/2012 1:00 PM Hudson Hudson County OEM

Secaucus NJ

11/15/2012 9:00 AM Gloucester/Camden Gloucester County OEM

Clayton NJ

11/15/2012 9:00 AM Bergen Bergen County

Mahwah NJ

11/15/2012 9:00 AM Warren/Hunterdon Warren County Vo Tech

Washington NJ

11/15/2012 1:00 PM Salem/Cumberland Salem OEM

Woodstown NJ

11/16/2012 9:00 AM Mercer Mercer County OEM

Lawrenceville NJ

11/16/2012 9:00 AM Essex Essex Co. Hospital Center

Cedar Grove NJ

11/16/2012 1:00 PM Burlington Medford Public Safety Cntr.

Medford NJ

11/16/2012 1:00 PM Morris/Somerset Public Safety Academy

Parsippany NJ

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Seventeen New Jersey/FEMA Briefings to Begin Tuesday to Help Local Governments Who Apply for Hurricane Sandy Infrastructure Losses

Four Additional New York Counties Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy Response, Rebuilding Costs

Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster counties now eligible for FEMA public assistance grants

NEW YORK – As New York continues recovering from Hurricane Sandy, four more counties have been designated for disaster aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Grant Program. Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster counties are now eligible for federal reimbursement for infrastructure repair costs and emergency expenses incurred before, during and immediately after Hurricane Sandy.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program reimburses eligible state and local governments, tribal organizations and some private nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses incurred due to a disaster. On a cost-share basis, reimbursements can include repairing or replacing damaged public buildings and infrastructure and emergency expenses such as debris removal, search and rescue, increased security and overtime pay for employees.

There are now 13 New York counties designated for both individual and public assistance under President Obama’s Federal Disaster Declaration for New York, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

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Four Additional New York Counties Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy Response, Rebuilding Costs

Disaster Recovery Centers in Gloucester, Salem, Passaic and Morris Counties Now Open

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey residents who were affected by Hurricane Sandy can now visit additional Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) if they have questions about recovery programs. There are currently 16 DRCs across impacted areas open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. – with the exception of one in Hoboken operating 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – daily until further notice.

Before going to a DRC, it is helpful to register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Individuals may also register by smart phone at m.fema.gov.

DRCs are set up for residents to be able to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance.

FEMA program specialists are at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who provide information and answer questions about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

In addition to FEMA program specialists, customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster-loan program and to assist with disaster loan applications.

New DRC locations are:

Government Services Building Gloucester County

1200 North Delsea Dr.

Clayton, NJ 08312

Penns Grove EMS Salem County

25 East Griffith Street

Penns Grove, NJ 08069

Passaic County Department of Health Passaic County

317 Pennsylvania Ave.

Patterson, NJ 07503

Morris Plains Community Center Morris County

51 Jim Fear Drive

Morris Plains, NJ 07950

DRC locations change frequently. The closest open offices can be found online at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm. An alternative is to go to www.fema.gov and search for DRC locator.

An applicant may go to any DRC, even if it is located in another state. Once an application has been made, a FEMA registration number is given to the file. It can be accessed nationally.

Other DRCs open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in New Jersey are located in:

Atlantic County Bergen County

Atlantic City Convention Center Bergen County Plaza

1 Convention Blvd., Room 201 1 Bergen Plaza, 4^th Floor

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Hackensack, NJ 07652

Cape May County Cumberland County

Cape May Courthouse Public Library Emergency Management Agency Office

30 Mechanics St. 637 Bridgeton Ave., Lower Level

Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210 Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Hudson County Hudson County – Special Hours 8a.m to – 5p.m.

Jersey City Museum adjacent to Police Department

350 Montgomery St. 59 Washington St.

Jersey City, NJ 07302 Hoboken, NJ 07030

Middlesex County Monmouth County

Sayreville Senior Center Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center

423 Main St. 945 Hwy. 36, Atlantic Highlands

Sayreville, NJ 08872 Leonardo, NJ 07737

Monmouth County Ocean County

Union Beach Municipal Building Brick Township Civic Center

650 Poole Ave. 270 Chambers Bridge Rd.

Union Beach, NJ 07735 Brick, NJ 08723

Somerset County Union County

Somerset County Human Services Chisholm School Community Center

27 Warren St. 100 S. Springfield Ave.

Somerville, NJ 08876 Springfield, NJ 07081

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Disaster Recovery Centers in Gloucester, Salem, Passaic and Morris Counties Now Open

FEMA Advisers Offering Home Repair Tips in Three Parishes

BATON ROUGE, La. – Property owners who are rebuilding after Hurricane Isaac can receive a free consultation with Hazard Mitigation advisers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at home improvement centers in East Baton Rouge, Jefferson and Orleans parishes.

The advisers can offer tips and techniques on how to protect homes from future disaster-related damage and other measures to make homes stronger and safer; they also offer advice on topics such as:

emergency preparedness
roof repair
rebuilding flooded homes
home elevation
flood insurance
mold and mildew cleanup

Most of the information and free publications provided are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors. The mitigation stations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, through Tuesday, Nov. 27, except on Nov. 20 and 22, Thanksgiving Day.

East Baton Rouge

Lowe’s

1777 Millersville Road

Baton Rouge, LA

Jefferson Parish

Home Depot

2625 Veterans Blvd.

Kenner, LA

Orleans Parish

Lowe’s

5770 Read Boulevard

New Orleans, LA

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Advisers Offering Home Repair Tips in Three Parishes

Disaster Legal Help Available for Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. – Free assistance with legal issues resulting from Hurricane Sandy is available for Connecticut disaster survivors in the counties designated for FEMA assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through an agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association and in partnership with the Connecticut Bar Association, provides free legal help for survivors in these counties.

Disaster-related legal questions typically involve such matters as lost wills, landlord-tenant relations, property ownership, home repair contracts, and government benefit programs.

Survivors who qualify for assistance will be matched with Connecticut lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.

Legal help is available to affected residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London counties and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribal Nation located within New London County. Call the Disaster Legal Services Hotline at: 866-864-4464.

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Disaster Legal Help Available for Connecticut

Federal Support to New York for the Response to Hurricane Sandy

Main Content

Release date:

November 13, 2012

Release Number:

4085-020

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $338 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Nov. 12:

More than 176,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $338 million has been approved. More than 91,000 have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov.
30 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open in the nine declared counties. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 12,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
More than 1,100 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door to door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
1,126 inspectors in the field have completed more than 44,000 home inspections.
70 Points of Distribution (PODs) are open and providing supplies to the affected residents.
11 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) and 1 (Rapid Deployment Force) RDF team from the Department of Health and Human Services are deployed in New York.
New York’s major disaster declaration was amended so that the thirteen declared counties are now approved for all categories of Public Assistance, which includes reimbursement for eligible costs of emergency response services, debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, acting on a mission assignment from FEMA, has removed more than 270 million gallons of saltwater from tunnels, underpasses and other areas throughout New York City – enough to fill all of Central Park two feet deep.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to operate five Business Disaster Recovery Centers in New York. As of November 12, the SBA has issued more than 100,000 home disaster loan applications, and more than 26,000 business disaster loan applications in New York.

Last Updated:

November 13, 2012 – 11:32

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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Federal Support to New York for the Response to Hurricane Sandy

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