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FEMA Extends Deadline To Register For Hurricane Sandy Assistance In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey now have until March 1, 2013, to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People with storm losses in all counties in New Jersey can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Registration is also available by calling 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585 or 711/VRS. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week.

The deadline was extended one month at the request of the state of New Jersey. Through Wednesday, Jan. 23, more than 57,500 storm survivors have been approved for help through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program in New Jersey.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

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

The SBA has also set March 1 as the date for homeowners, renters and business owners to complete and return SBA disaster loan applications. Visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339 for more information.

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.

SBA’s Disaster Assistance Program provides long term, low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.sba.gov. All SBA’s program and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.

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FEMA Extends Deadline To Register For Hurricane Sandy Assistance In New Jersey

Register with FEMA even if you registered with other agencies

NEW YORK – Since Hurricane Sandy impacted New York State, voluntary agencies and community- and faith-based groups have been working hand-in-hand with New Yorkers to help meet their needs — and some agencies may have asked survivors to register with them.

But the Federal Emergency Management Agency is reminding survivors to register with FEMA if they are seeking federal disaster grants or loans.

“We often find that people think they are registered with FEMA after they have contacted their county emergency managers, disaster-relief organizations, or local community- or faith-based organizations, but they are not,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “The only way we can get federal assistance to eligible survivors is if they are registered with FEMA.”

This means you should register with FEMA even if you have contacted New York 2-1-1, the American Red Cross or any other agency or local organization. Only a FEMA registration will open the way for possible federal grants and loans.

“Sometimes survivors mistakenly think they are not eligible for federal or state assistance, but when we review their applications we find they are,” Byrne said. “That’s why it’s so important that they register.”

That means register with FEMA, even if:

You have insurance. FEMA may be able to provide additional assistance or help with other needs not covered by insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
- You used all the rent money that your insurance company provided under Alternative Living Expenses coverage and your home is not ready for occupancy.
- Your insurance does not include Alternative Living Expenses.
- Your insurance settlement for Hurricane Sandy has not arrived.
Your home is still inaccessible. Register. If a housing inspection is warranted, we’ll assign an inspector as soon as possible.
You are a renter. Renters may be eligible for temporary housing or other needs assistance.
You think you may not be eligible. Let our specialists work with you to help determine whether FEMA might be able to provide some form of assistance.
You only had minor damage. It’s hard to know the full extent of the damage. Go ahead and register.

Survivors have until Jan. 28, 2013 to register for FEMA assistance.

Registration is easy through any of FEMA’s registration portals: Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app. Call 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 telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

Survivors can also visit any one of the Disaster Recovery Centers now open in many of the disaster-designated counties. To find the DRC 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 or visit www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Disaster assistance for individuals may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make a home habitable. Survivors could also be eligible for grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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.

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FEMA Obligates Nearly $3.3 Million to Louisiana Department of Public Safety for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Public Safety will receive a nearly $3.3 million federal grant to reimburse the costs it incurred to provide measures to save lives and property before, during and after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

“When disasters strike, the men and women of the Department of Public Safety are on the front lines to help protect Louisiana and its residents,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This grant helps reimburse the department for its efforts to protect the health, safety and property of Louisianians during Hurricane Isaac.”

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. The department and its divisions provided emergency protective measures necessary to eliminate and reduce immediate threats to life, public health and safety, and public and private property. The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $3,277,030, helps reimburse the department for the costs of equipment, personnel and supplies used during the Hurricane Isaac response and recovery effort.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $189 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

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

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FEMA Obligates Nearly $3.3 Million to Louisiana Department of Public Safety for Hurricane Isaac Emergency Measures

Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing Scheduled for Somerset County

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Public Assistance briefing is scheduled for Somerset County, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Somerset County, 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24

Somerset County Department of Emergency Services

100 E. Union St.

Somerset, PA 15501

At the briefing, officials from state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations will receive information about applying for federal assistance to recover from Hurricane Sandy during the period from October 26 to November 8, 2012.

FEMA manages the Public Assistance program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

Federal funding is also available through the PA program on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures in all counties of the Commonwealth.

Frequently asked questions about the Public Assistance process are included online at www.FEMA.gov.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Briefing Scheduled for Somerset County

SBA Disaster Loan Important for Homeowners and Renters

NEW YORK – Of the more than 161,000 low-interest U. S. Small Business Administration disaster loan applications sent to New York’s Hurricane Sandy survivors, fewer than 34,000 have been completed and returned.

SBA loans represent a major source of federal funding for disaster home repair and reconstruction. Applicants are urged to complete and return their applications as soon as possible.

Most SBA disaster loans go to individuals and families, and interest rates may be as low as 1.688 percent with terms up to 30 years.

The deadline for New York’s Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for both FEMA assistance and an SBA loan is Jan. 28, 2013.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA application by the deadline include:

Your homeowner insurance settlement falls short. You may find out that you were under-insured for the amount of work it will take to repair or replace your damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application, you may have loan money available when it is needed most. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of your home up to $200,000. Once your insurance settles, you may apply those funds to your disaster loan. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if you wait past the application deadline.

SBA can work with an applicant to shape a loan that fits your personal budget. If you already have a mortgage on the damaged property, SBA specialists can work with you to come up with an affordable low-interest loan package. In some cases, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage when the applicant has sustained significant damage to their house.

SBA can help renters replace their essential items. Renters, as well as homeowners, may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

By submitting your SBA loan application, you keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. If SBA does not approve a loan for you – or approves a small loan that doesn’t cover all of your needs – you may be referred to other programs that can provide grants to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle or cover storage expenses, among other serious disaster-related needs. But if you do not submit the loan application you received from SBA, the assistance process may stop.

It takes less than 30 minutes to fill out an application. A simple, fast, and very available way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Plus, you can receive an update on the status of your application by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

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

SBA business recovery centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

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).

More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing). Assistance is also 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/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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.

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SBA Disaster Loan Important for Homeowners and Renters

Deadline Extended a Third Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 30 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. This means most policyholders have until Feb. 21 to complete their proof of loss.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Three extensions have been granted, however, because access to NFIP-insured homes and other buildings was delayed due to infrastructure damage and high floodwaters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the program.

With the latest 30-day extension on flood insurance claims, Louisianians have 180 days from the date of their insured loss to submit a claim, known as proof of loss. Hurricane Isaac first made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 28, 2012, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit. For this reason the date of loss varies for property owners.

“Many Isaac survivors continue to gather information that will help adjusters determine their flood insurance loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “However, we urge folks who haven’t yet filed their proof of loss to do so as soon as possible.”

Failure to submit the proof of loss could cause policyholders to miss out on benefits from their flood insurance policy, NFIP specialists said.

Since Isaac made landfall, the NFIP has paid out more than $416 million on 13,159 claims in Louisiana.

Policyholders with questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims may contact their local insurance agent, call FEMA program experts at 1-866-331-1679 or 1-866-330-7286, or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Deadline Extended a Third Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

Federal, State and Local Partners Team Up to Identify Texas Coastal Flood Risks: Storm surge study provides update on flood risks in Galveston and…

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating flood maps in Galveston and Matagorda, Texas counties following the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks.

As FEMA works to update the new flood maps, the agency is working closely with its federal, state and local partners to help these coastal communities better understand the current flood risk so that action can be taken to reduce that risk.

Meetings with local officials have already taken place and open houses for the general public are currently being scheduled. The local workshops provided an opportunity for local officials to review the storm surge study methods and get an update on the project’s progress. The open houses will help to educate the public about the current flood risk in the area. Public meetings will be posted on www.txchart.com.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort is part of FEMA’s comprehensive approach to integrating flood hazard identification and analysis with risk communications for affected coastal counties. In addition to the Galveston and Matagorda counties, the effort also includes Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Kleberg, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is currently undergoing a thorough modernization.

Meanwhile, contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to gather information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

Media note: If media would like to join an online, informational briefing beginning at 11.a.m. (CST) on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, please call us at 940-898-5454 for details.

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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. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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Federal, State and Local Partners Team Up to Identify Texas Coastal Flood Risks: Storm surge study provides update on flood risks in Galveston and…

Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

NEW YORK – To qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a survivor of Hurricane Sandy must meet certain conditions.

First, the individual or household losses must have occurred in an area covered by the presidential disaster declaration for New York, which includes 13 counties.

Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

The survivor must register with FEMA. There are several ways to do this:

Via smartphone or tablet, go to m.fema.gov or download the FEMA app.
Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
For 7-1-1Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week until further notice.
A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

The deadline to register with FEMA is Jan. 28 in New York.

If the applicant has insurance, he or she must file a claim with the insurance company.

For housing assistance

The damage to the property is not covered by insurance or the insurance settlement is insufficient to cover the losses.
The applicant or someone who lives in the household is a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
The applicant must have a valid Social Security number.
The damaged home is where the applicant usually lives and was living at the time of the disaster.

A survivor may not be eligible for housing assistance if:

The home that was damaged is a secondary or vacation residence.
Expenses resulted only from leaving the home as a precaution and the applicant was able to return to the home immediately after the incident.
The applicant has refused assistance from his or her insurance provider.
The only losses are business losses.
The damaged home is located in a designated flood hazard area and the applicant’s community is not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.l
- In this case, the flood damage to the home would not be covered, but the applicant may qualify for rental assistance or assistance for items not covered by flood insurance.

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.

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Who Qualifies for FEMA Disaster Assistance?

FEMA offers Free Advice On ‘Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter’

TRENTON, N.J. — Visit your area home improvement store to get free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage. Specialists from Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

Elevating or anchoring utilities.
Eliminating mold and mildew from your home.
Using flood- and wind-resistant building methods.
Understanding flood insurance.

FEMA specialists are available daily from Tuesday, Jan. 22, to Saturday, Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following home improvement stores:

Atlantic County –
- Home Depot, 421 E. Absecon Blvd., Absecon, NJ 08201
- Home Depot, 6 Tower Ave., Egg Harbor Township , NJ 08234
Hudson County –
- Lowe’s, 400 Bayonne Crossing Way, Bayonne, NJ 07002
- Home Depot, 440 Route 440, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Middlesex County –
- Home Depot, 1090 Route 9 S., Old Bridge, NJ 08857

Monmouth County –
- Home Depot, 3700 Highway 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730
- Home Depot, 310 Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764

Ocean County –
- Lowe’s, 1375 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753

Union County –
- Home Depot , 977 W. Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202

For additional information, visit fema.gov/SandyNJ and click on “Mitigation Resources.”

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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FEMA offers Free Advice On ‘Building Stronger, Safer, Smarter’

FEMA Call Centers Return to Normal Operating Hours

NEW YORK – Federal Emergency Management Agency call centers will return to their normal operating hours of 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. EST, seven days a week effective Sun., Jan. 20, 2013.

The helpline number is 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. For 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA operators are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to Hurricane Sandy survivors.

Survivors may check the status of their registration or register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. In addition, survivors may check the status of their application through the automated Interactive Voice Response system by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362).

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.

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FEMA Call Centers Return to Normal Operating Hours

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