Trenton, N.J. — Survivors who received letters from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after contacting FEMA for assistance should ask for help if they have questions.

FEMA sends every applicant a letter explaining the status of their application.

Sometimes a letter from FEMA indicates a status of ineligibility. This may simply mean that more information or documents are needed to better help FEMA process your application. Eligibility statuses can change when new information is provided. Survivors may need to:

  • Provide records that showed the damaged property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster.
  • Give their insurance or other documentation to FEMA.
  • Provide proof of ownership or residence.
  • Return the Small Business Administration disaster loan application.
  • Sign all essential documents.

FEMA cannot duplicate any aid that may have come from other government sources or insurance.

Answers to questions about the letter can be found by:

  • Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center near you, use the online locator at www.fema.gov/drc. You may also text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) For example, if you lived in Atlantic City, you would text: DRC 08401.
  • Calling the FEMA Helpline by phone or 711/VRS at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-7585.
  • Reviewing the “Help After Disaster” guide mailed to each applicant. The information also is available online in many languages at http://www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster

Don’t be discouraged: read the letter, ask questions, and ask for help.

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 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.

 

Link to original:  

Sandy Survivors: Ask Questions About Letters From Fema

WINDSOR, Conn. – The FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Center at the Department of Police Services, 6 Custom Drive, Old Saybrook, will close at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec 8.

Help is still available for residents with damage from Hurricane Sandy.  Register online or through the FEMA Helpline call center. 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.

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.

Homeowners or renters who suffered damages in counties designated for disaster assistance can visit any of the other Disaster Recovery Centers. For the location of the nearest center, go to: http://go.usa.gov/g2Td.

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.

See the article here: 

Disaster Recovery Center in Old Saybrook to Close

TRENTON, N.J. — Anyone affected by Hurricane Sandy can now visit newly opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Hudson, Middlesex, and Union counties if they have questions about recovery programs. The new DRCs are located in:

Hudson County:

Bayonne City Museum, 229 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Two other DRCs are open in Hudson County at the Jersey City Museum and next to the Office Depot at 59 Washington St. in Hoboken.

Middlesex County:

Woodbridge Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095

A second DRC is open in Middlesex County at the Sayreville Senior Center.

Union County:

Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen St., Linden, NJ 07036

Two other DRCs are open in Union County at the Chisholm School Community Center,

100 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield, NJ  07081 (scheduled to close Dec. 1),                                                                                                          and the Plainfield Senior Citizen’s Service Center, 400 East Front St., Plainfield, NJ 07060.

There are now 34 DRCs open in New Jersey. All are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. except for the center in Bay Head which opens from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the curfew remains in effect.   

Individuals can register for assistance and follow up on previous applications by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.FEMA.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

DRCs allow residents to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives. FEMA program specialists are available to provide registration and other information, and to answer questions at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who can provide guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

It is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance.

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.

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

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.

DRCs in New Jersey are located in:

Atlantic County

Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd., Room 201, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Hamilton Mall, 4403 Blackhorse Pike (Route 322), NJ 08330

 

Bergen County

Bergen County Plaza, 1 Bergen Plaza, 4th Floor, Hackensack, N.J. 07652

 

Burlington County: Rotating Center

Burlington Center Mall, 2501 Burlington-Mount Holly Road, Suite 215, Burlington, NJ 08016

DATES: Thurs., Nov., 29 to Sat., Dec. 1 and Mon., Dec. 10 to Wed., Dec. 12

  

Cape May County

Cape May Courthouse Public Library, 30 Mechanics St, Cape May, N.J. 08226

Ocean City Community Center, 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City, N.J. 08210

 

Cumberland County: Rotating Center

Emergency Management Office, 637 Bridgeton Ave., Bridgeton, N.J. 08302

DATES: Mon., Nov. 26 to Wed., Nov. 28 and Thurs., Dec. 6 to Sat., Dec. 8

 

Essex County

Willing Heart Community Care Center, 555 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Newark, NJ 07103

 

Gloucester County: Rotating Center

Government Services Building, 1200 N. Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312

DATES: Thurs., Nov., 29 to Sat., Dec. 1 and Mon., Dec. 10 to Wed., Dec. 12

 

Hudson County

Adjacent to Office Depot, 59 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030

Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302

Bayonne City Museum, 229 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002

  

Mercer County: Rotating Center

Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550

DATES: Mon., Nov. 26 to Wed., Nov. 28 and Thurs., Dec. 6 to Sat., Dec. 8

 

Middlesex County

Sayreville Senior Center, 423 Main St., Sayreville, NJ 08872

Woodbridge Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095

 

Monmouth County

Belmar Municipal Bldg., 601 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719

Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Highway 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737

Long Branch Fire Station #4, 199-205 Union Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740

Union Beach Municipal Building, 650 Poole Ave., Union Beach, NJ 07735

 

Morris County: Rotating Center

Morris Plains Community Center, 51 Jim Fear Drive, Morris Plains, NJ  07950

DATES: Mon., Nov. 26 to Wed., Nov. 28 and Thurs., Dec. 6 to Sat., Dec. 8

 

Ocean County

Bay Head Fire Station #1, 81 Bridge Ave., Bay Head, NJ 08742

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice

 

Ocean County

Bell Crest Plaza Store Front 4C, 953 Fischer Blvd., Toms River, NJ 08753

Brick Township Civic Center, 270 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723

Harvey Cedars Bible Conference Center, 12 Cedars Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008

Little Egg Harbor Senior Center, 641 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087

Old Township Bldg., 775 East Bay Ave., Stafford, NJ 08050

 

Passaic County

Passaic County Department of Health, 317 Pennsylvania Ave., Paterson, NJ 07503

 

Salem County: Rotating Center

Penns Grove EMS Bldg., 25 East Griffin St., Penns Grove, NJ 08069

DATES: Mon., Dec. 3 to Wed., Dec. 5 and Thurs., Dec. 13 to Sat., Dec. 15

 

Somerset County: Rotating Center

Somerset County Human Services, 27 Warren St., Somerville, NJ 08876

DATES: Mon., Dec. 3 to Wed., Dec. 5 and Thurs., Dec. 13 to Sat., Dec. 15

 

Sussex County: Rotating Center

Sussex County Community College, 1 College Hill Road, Newton, NJ 07860

DATES: Mon., Dec. 3 to Wed., Dec. 5 and Thurs., Dec. 13 to Sat., Dec. 15

 

Union County

Chisholm School Community Center, 100 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield, NJ  07081

(scheduled to close 12/1)

Plainfield Senior Citizen’s Service Center, 400 East Front St., Plainfield, NJ 07060

Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen St. in Linden, NJ 07036.

 

Warren County: Rotating Center

Franklin Township Municipal Bldg., 2093 Route 57, Broadway, NJ 08808

DATES: Thurs., Nov. 29 to Sat., Dec. 1 and Mon., Dec. 10 to Wed., Dec. 12

 

SBA customer service representatives are available for one-on-one consultation with business owners who are seeking assistance in applying for low-interest disaster loans for business losses caused by Hurricane Sandy.

 

Atlantic County

Richard Stockton College, Small Business Development Center, 35 South Martin Luther King Blvd., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Bergen County

Bergen Community College, Small Business  Development Center, 355 Main St., Room 121, Hackensack, NJ 07601

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Cape May County

Cape May County Chamber of Commerce 13 Crest Haven Road, Cape May, NJ 08210

HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Essex County

Rutgers University, Small Business Development Center, 25 James St., Newark, NJ 07102

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Hudson County

Small Business Development Center, New Jersey City University, 285 West Side Ave., Suites 189-191, Jersey City, NJ 07305

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Middlesex County

John F. Kennedy Library, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854

HOURS: Mon-Sat.10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

               Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Monmouth County

Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Bankier Library, Rm. 246 (SBDC), Lincroft, NJ 07738

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Ocean County

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, Stafford Heritage Park Train Station

(Across from Manahawkin Lake Between RT 9 and RT 72), West Bay Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050

HOURS: Mon-Sun 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Passaic County

William Paterson University, Small Business Development Center, 131 Ellison St.,Paterson, NJ 07505

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Union County

Kean University – SBDC, Business One-Stop Service – The Incubator, 320 Park Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Renters, homeowners and businesses that do not need one-on-one assistance do not need to visit a center. They can apply for an SBA disaster loan online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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 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.

Read More: 

Three New Recovery Centers Open In Hudson, Middlesex, And Union Counties

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors have until Tuesday evening, Dec. 4, to visit four Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Nassau and Suffolk counties.  

Cumulatively, the centers have provided one-on-one information and assistance to more than 4,370 storm survivors since they opened in early November.  Their locations and hours of operation are:

Nassau County

Nassau Community College
Student Union Building
1 Education Drive
Garden City, NY 11530
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 4

New Cassel Community Center Garden
141 Garden St.
Westbury, NY 11590
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 4

Suffolk County

H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 4

Riverhead County Center
300 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 4

In addition to those centers, Hurricane Sandy survivors can visit any of about 30 other DRCs throughout New York.

The State of New York and Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows at a certain time, a center may change its hours or come under consideration for possible closure.  

Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get face-to-face help as quickly as possible. More may become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

To find the center 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.

Other help is available from roughly 1,000 FEMA community relations personnel who are blanketing damaged neighborhoods door to door, delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents to register for assistance when needed. These personnel can help refer survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help also can be obtained by calling 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; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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.

View the original here – 

Last Chance To Visit Four Disaster Recovery Centers

WINDSOR, Conn. – Some survivors of Hurricane Sandy are discovering that getting turned down for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration may lead to other forms of assistance.

“In most cases, referral to these resources is automatic if SBA rejects your loan application,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “But applicants who don’t return their applications to SBA close the door on these resources.”

Many survivors receive a loan package from SBA after they register for assistance with FEMA. While SBA’s low-interest disaster loans represent the major source of federal funding for recovery, the application itself may open the door to other grant programs. People who do not qualify for a loan may be eligible for grants from FEMA.

Federal grants cover necessary expenses and serious needs, including:

  • Disaster-related medical and dental expenses
  • Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses
  • Disaster-related car repair expenses
  • Clothing and household items, such as room furnishings and appliances
  • Tools required for work
  • Computers and schoolbooks required for education
  • Oil and gas for heating furnaces
  • Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster

The deadline to complete an SBA application for a low-interest disaster loan is Dec. 31.

The SBA offers online applications through its Electronic Loan Application site at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Survivors can call the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or visit the SBA’s website at www.SBA.gov/sandy.

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.

View post: 

A ‘No’ from SBA May Open Doors to More Assistance

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hours of operation for the FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Centers in Connecticut have changed and the center at Gateway Community College, Long Wharf Campus, New Haven, will close Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m.

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.

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

The following centers are now open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sundays.

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

 

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06381

 

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06304

 

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

 

Senior Center

100 Mona Terrace

Fairfield, CT 06824

 

Simon Lake Elementary School (former)

65 Devonshire Road

Milford, CT 06460

 

Norwalk City Hall

125 East Ave.

Norwalk, CT 06851

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.

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 a private nonprofit organization 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.

Original source: 

Connecticut Disaster Recovery Centers’ Hours Change, New Haven DRC to Close

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in Rockland County have until 6 p.m. Saturday,  Dec. 1, to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Village Hall.

The center is at 478 Piermont Ave., Piermont, NY 10968, and has been helping storm survivors since Nov. 26.  

Another DRC in Rockland County is scheduled to remain open through Friday, Dec. 7, providing one-on-one, face-to-face assistance to those affected by the hurricane. It is located in Provident Bank Park, 1 Provident Bank Park Drive, Pomona, NY 10970. Hours will change on Monday, Dec. 3, to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
The State of New York and Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows at a certain time, a center may change its hours or come under consideration for possible closure.   

In addition to the sites in Rockland County, Hurricane Sandy survivors can visit any of more than 30 other DRCs throughout New York.

Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get help as quickly as possible. More centers may become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

To find the center 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.

Other help is available from roughly 1,000 FEMA community relations personnel who are blanketing damaged neighborhoods door to door, delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents to register for assistance when needed. These personnel can help refer survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help also can be obtained by calling 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; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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.

Source:  

Changes Announced for Disaster Recovery Centers in Rockland

New York – New York State and federal officials remind those affected by Hurricane Sandy that they have 30 days left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible federal disaster assistance.

Applications must be received by Monday, Dec. 31, to be considered for disaster assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Anyone who sustained a loss in any of the 13 New York counties designated for federal disaster assistance should register before the deadline even if they have insurance.

Federal disaster assistance may help eligible applicants with temporary housing, disaster-related uninsured personal property losses, medical, dental and funeral expenses, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance even if they have contacted the state, their local emergency management agency, the American Red Cross or other charitable organizations.

Anyone who has not registered with FEMA for disaster aid, has questions about their application or needs more information about recovery programs should call FEMA’s toll-free helpline 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, can call 800-462-7585 directly; people who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), can call 800-621-3362.

Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through a smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who have a speech disability or hearing loss) or online at www.SBA.gov. They may also apply for disaster loans at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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.

Jump to original:  

30 Days Left for New Yorkers to Register for FEMA Disaster Aid

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors are putting low-interest disaster loans to good use.

The loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are being used to:

• Make home repairs not covered by insurance;
• Replace clothing, appliances and vehicles;
• Make improvements to reduce the risk of future damage; and
• Refinance existing liens or mortgages on homes.

SBA loans are the major source of federal disaster recovery funding and may be available for other uses as well. For example, renters may be eligible for loans to cover some of their personal property losses, including vehicles. There are also loans for businesses and nonprofit organizations as well.

Applications from the SBA are mailed to most survivors who register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Returning the loan application is an important step in the recovery process because it may qualify the applicant for more FEMA grants. No one is obligated to accept a loan, if offered.

“Even the maximum amount FEMA is allowed to award won’t replace a home destroyed in a hurricane,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Most disaster recovery is funded by low-interest loans from the SBA.”

SBA can lend homeowners up to $200,000 to repair or replace their home and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Disaster loans have distinct advantages:
• Home loans are as low as 1.688 percent
• There are no points or application fees
• Loans are available before insurance settlements are made 
• SBA can write loans based on the cost of replacing the home today

The deadline to file for an SBA Home Disaster Loan is Dec. 31.

SBA offers online application through its Electronic Loan Application site at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Survivors can call the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/sandy.

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.

 

 

Original post: 

Low-Interest Disaster Loans Fuel Connecticut Recovery

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that new Disaster Recovery Centers are open in White Lake and Freeport to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Their locations and hours of operation are:

Cornelius Duggan School
3460 Rte. 55
White Lake, NY 12786
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Fri., Nov. 30

Freeport Recreation Center
130 East Merrick Rd.
Freeport, NY 11520
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get face-to-face help as quickly as possible. More centers will become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

In addition to the new sites in White Lake and Freeport, more than 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.

Other help is available from roughly 1,000 FEMA community relations personnel who are blanketing damaged neighborhoods door to door, delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents to register for assistance when needed. These personnel can help refer

survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help also can be obtained by calling 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 loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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.

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New Disaster Recovery Centers Open in White Lake, Freeport

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