Letter From FEMA is the Starting Point

LINCROFT, N.J. — After registering with FEMA, disaster survivors receive a letter from FEMA concerning the status of their application. The letter is a starting point about whether or not the applicant will receive disaster assistance.

Applicants should read the letter carefully. Even if the letter says that you are ineligible, the reason might simply be that you have not provided all the information or documentation required. It does not necessarily mean “case closed.” When applicable, the letter explains what additional information is needed or how to appeal a decision that you do not qualify for assistance.

Ask for help if you don’t understand the letter. Call the helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center where you can talk with a FEMA representative about your particular situation.

To find the nearest center, log on to www.fema.gov/drclocator.

You may not have qualified for financial help right away, but that decision may change if you submit additional documents. Some of the reasons for an initial ineligible decision can be that you:

  • Have not submitted a settlement or denial determination from your insurance company.
  • Did not provide FEMA with all the information needed to process your application.
  • Have not provided proof of ownership or occupancy.
  • Did not provide records that showed the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
  • Did not sign essential documents.

FEMA can never duplicate assistance from insurance or other government sources, but FEMA may be able to cover some of your uninsured losses.

Providing the requested information or taking the required actions outlined in the letter might change FEMA’s determination. The letter also explains how to appeal a determination. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of the date of the ineligible decision.

Remember: the letter from FEMA is a starting point. You should:

  • Read the letter carefully.
  • Ask questions and ask for help.
  • Tell FEMA if you think the decision is incorrect. You have the right to ask FEMA to reconsider the decision.

This video, http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6486 gives more information about how to appeal a FEMA determination.         

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.

 

Visit site – 

Letter From FEMA is the Starting Point

Need Help After the Storm? Visit a Disaster Recovery Center

LINCROFT, N.J. — When Hurricane Sandy survivors need face-to-face help, the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is the place to go. From Cumberland to Sussex, customer service representatives are ready to help in many ways and in multiple languages.

Thirty DRCs are now open seven days a week. Hours today until Thanksgiving are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except for Bay Head, which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while its curfew remains in effect.)

All DRCs will be closed Thanksgiving Day and will reopen Friday, Nov. 23, with new hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for Bay Head, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meet face-to-face with representatives from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Services (NJOES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other government and volunteer agencies to learn about:

  • Housing assistance and rental resources.
  • The status of an application.
  • Letters from FEMA.
  • SBA’s disaster loan programs and how to complete a loan application.
  • Multilingual assistance.
  • Strengthening a home.
  • Counseling services.
  • Other resources that may be available.

FEMA does not distribute cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers at recovery centers.

New Jersey DRCs are in the following locations:

Atlantic County                                             Atlantic County                                

Atlantic City Convention Center                     Hamilton Mall            

1 Convention Blvd., Room 201                      4403 Blackhorse Pike (Route 322)                

Atlantic City, NJ 08401                                   Mays Landing, NJ 08330                              

 

Bergen County                                              Burlington County

Bergen County Plaza                                       Burlington Center Mall

1 Bergen Plaza, 4th Floor                                 2501 Burlington – Mount Holly Road 

Hackensack, NJ 07652                                     Suite 215

                                                                        Burlington, NJ 08016

 

Camden County                                            Cape May County                                        

Public Works Building                                     Cape May Courthouse Public Library                       

2311 Egg Harbor Road                                   30 Mechanics St.

Lindenwold, NJ 08021                                     Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210

 

Cape May County                                         Cumberland County

Ocean City Community Center                       Emergency Management Agency Office

1735 Simpson Ave.                                         637 Bridgeton Ave., Lower Level

Ocean City, NJ 08226                                     Bridgeton, NJ 08302      

 

Essex County                                               Gloucester County   

Willing Heart Community Care Center            Government Services Building

555 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.                    1200 North Delsea Dr.

Newark, NJ  07103                                          Clayton, NJ 08312

 

Hudson County                                             Hudson County

Adjacent to Office Depot                               Jersey City Museum

59 Washington St.                                          350 Montgomery St.

Hoboken, NJ 07030                                        Jersey City, NJ 07302

         

Hunterdon County                                        Mercer County

Hunterdon County                                          Mercer County Community College

Department of Public Safety Annex              1200 Old Trenton Road

77 Park Ave.                                                   West Windsor, NJ 08550

Flemington, NJ 08822

                                                                      

Middlesex County                                         Monmouth County                          

Sayreville Senior Center                                 Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center

423 Main St.                                                   945 Hwy. 36

Sayreville, NJ 08872                                       Leonardo, NJ 07737

 

Monmouth County                                       Monmouth County

Belmar Municipal Building                             Union Beach Municipal Building

601 Main St.                                                   650 Poole Ave.

Belmar, NJ 07719                                           Union Beach, NJ 07735

 

Morris County                                               Ocean County

Morris Plains Community Center                   Old Township Building

51 Jim Fear Drive                                            775 East Bay Ave.

Morris Plains, NJ 07950                                  Stafford, NJ 08050

 

Ocean County                                                Ocean County

Bay Head Fire Station #1                               Bell Crest Plaza Store Front 4C

81 Bridge Ave.                                               953 Fischer Blvd.

Bay Head, NJ 08742                                      Toms River, NJ  08753

 

Ocean County                                                Passaic County         

Brick Township Civic Center                           Passaic County Department of Health

270 Chambers Bridge Rd.                              317 Pennsylvania Ave.

Brick, NJ 08723                                              Paterson, NJ 07503                               

 

Salem County                                                Somerset County

Penns Grove EMS Building                            Somerset County Human Services

25 East Griffith St.                                          27 Warren St.

Penns Grove, NJ 08069                                  Somerville, NJ 08876 

 

Sussex County                                               Union County

Sussex County Community College               Chisholm School Community Center

1 College Hill Road                                        100 S. Springfield Ave.

Newton, NJ 07860                                          Springfield, NJ 07081

 

Union County                                                Warren County

Plainfield Senior Citizen’s                                Franklin Township Municipal Building

Service Center                                                 2093 Route 57

400 E. Front St.                                               Broadway, NJ 08808

Plainfield, NJ 07060

In addition to the DRCs, there are also SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to serve business customers. SBA customer service representatives are available at BRCs to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance for losses. They are at the following locations, until further notice:

 

Atlantic County                                             Bergen County

Richard Stockton College                               Bergen Community College

Small Business Development Center             Small Business Development Center 

35 South Martin Luther King Blvd.                 355 Main St., Room 121

Atlantic City, NJ 08401                                   Hackensack, NJ 07601

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.           Hours: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Cape May County                                         Essex County

Cape May County Chamber of Commerce    Rutgers University

13 Crest Haven Road                                     Small Business Development Center

Cape May, NJ 08210                                      25 James St.   

Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.        Newark, NJ 07102

                                                                        Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Hudson County                                             Middlesex County

Small Business Development Center              John F. Kennedy Library

New Jersey City University                               500 Hoes Lane

285 West Side Ave., Suites 189 – 191             Piscataway, NJ 08854  

Jersey City, NJ 07305                                      Hours: Mon. – Sat.10 a.m. to 5 p.m

Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.                                 Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.                                                                                                                                                 

Monmouth County                                       Ocean County

Brookdale Community College                       Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce

765 Newman Springs Road                            Stafford Heritage Park Train Station and Rail Car   

Bankier Library, Room 246 (SBDC)              (Across from Manahawkin Lake between RT 9 and

Lincroft, NJ 07738                                         RT 72)

Hours: Mon- Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.                    West Bay Ave.

                                                                      Manahawkin, NJ 08050

                                                                     Hours:   Mon – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Passaic County                                            Union County

William Paterson University                            Kean University – SBDC

Small Business Development Center             Business One-Stop Service – The Incubator

131 Ellison St.                                                320 Park Ave.

Paterson, NJ 07505                                       Plainfield, NJ 07060

Hours: Mon- Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.                    Hours: Mon- Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All BRCs will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov.22.                                                                      

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.

 

View original:

Need Help After the Storm? Visit a Disaster Recovery Center

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in New York

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has 30 Disaster Recovery Centers in New York to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

In addition, more than 1,200 FEMA community relations personnel are blanketing damaged neighborhoods, going door-to-door delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents with damaged property to register for assistance. They 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.

Individuals do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA. Here are some alternatives: They may apply for FEMA assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 1-800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  Individuals may also register online at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone at m.fema.gov.  

To find the Disaster Recovery 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.

Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get help as quickly as possible. More centers will open as sites are identified and approved.  Note that conditions at
individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

Disaster Recovery Centers are now open at:

Nassau Community College
1 Education Drive 
Garden City, NY 11530
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Miller Field
600 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Sun

Recreation Center and Ice Arena
700 Magnolia Boulevard
Long Beach, NY 11561
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Sun

Sacred Heart Parish (tent)
127 Long Beach Road
Island Park, NY 11558
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

H. Lee Dennison Building
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Corner of Father Capodanno Boulevard and Hunter Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10305
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Duane Reade (Waldbaums Supermarket parking lot)
115-12 Beach Channel Drive
Far Rockaway, NY 11694
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Town Hall West
401 Main Street
Islip, NY 11757
Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sun

Ikea
1 Beard Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Hours: 9:30 a.m.- 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Holy Family R.C. Church
9719 Flatlands Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Community Church of the Nazarene
1414 Central Avenue
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon-Sun
 
Mount Loretto CYO
6581 Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10309
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Mount Manresa Jesuit House
239 Fingerboard Road
Staten Island, NY 10305
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Riverhead County Center
300 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
Hours: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Fort Tilden Park
1-199 Rockaway Point Boulevard
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Hours: 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Mastic Recreation Community Center
15 Herkimer Street
Mastic, NY 11950
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Lindenhurst Library
1 Lee Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Westchester County Center
198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Coffey Park
85 Richards Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

New Cassel Community Center Garden
141 Garden Street
Westbury, NY 11590
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

American Legion
209 Cross Bay Boulevard
Broad Channel, NY 11693
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Provident Bank Park
1 Provident Bank Park Drive
Pomona, NY 10970
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sun

Borough Hall
10 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Gerritsen Little League Field
2671 Gerritsen Avenue
Gerritsen Beach, NY
Hours:  8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

12th Judicial District
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri

Social Security Building
Gravesend
10 Bouck Court
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Storefront
1001 Beach 20th Street
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Kia in Staten Island
1976 Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon-Sun

Mitchell Field Athletic Center
1 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11553
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun
 
Cedar Creek Park
Merrick Road East
Seaford, NY 11783
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Nov. 19

See original:  

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in New York

Additional New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Atlantic and Ocean Counties

TRENTON, N.J .–  Anyone affected by Hurricane Sandy can now visit newly opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Atlantic and Ocean counties if they have questions about recovery programs. There are now 27 DRCs open daily. The center in Bay Head will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the curfew remains in effect.  All others are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All DRCs in New Jersey will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22.

Before going to a DRC, it is helpful to register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by a web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

DRCs allow residents to speak one-on-one with 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.

The new DRCs are located at:

Atlantic County                                                      Ocean County

Adjacent to Hamilton Mall                                         Bay Head Fire Station #1

4403 Blackhorse Pike (Route 322)                          81 Bridge Ave.

Mays Landing, NJ 08330                                          Bays Head, NJ 08742

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 county or state. Once an application has been made, a FEMA registration number is assigned. It can be accessed nationally.

Other DRCs 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, 4th Floor

Atlantic City, NJ 08401                                  Hackensack, NJ 07652

                                             

Burlington County                                      Camden County                                           

Burlington Center Mall                                   Public Works Building                                   

2501 Burlington – Mount Holly Road             2311 Egg Harbor Road

Suite 215                                                       Lindenwold, NJ 08021

Burlington, NJ 08016

 

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

 

Essex County                                               Gloucester County

Willing Heart Community Care Center            Government Services Building

555 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.                    1200 North Delsea Drive

Newark, NJ  07103                                          Clayton, NJ 08312

         

Hudson County                                             Hudson County

Adjacent to Office Depot                                Jersey City Museum

59 Washington St.                                          350 Montgomery St.

Hoboken, NJ 07030                                        Jersey City, NJ 07302

                                                                      

Hunterdon County                                       Mercer County

Hunterdon County                                          Mercer County Community College

Department of Public Safety Annex                1200 Old Trenton Road

77 Park Ave.                                                   West Windsor, NJ 08550

Flemington, NJ 08822

 

Middlesex County                                        Monmouth County

Sayreville Senior Center                                 Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center

423 Main St.                                                    945 Highway 36

Sayreville, NJ 08872                                        Leonardo, NJ 07737

 

Monmouth County                                       Monmouth County

Belmar Municipal Building                              Union Beach Municipal Building

601 Main St.                                                   650 Poole Ave.

Belmar, NJ 07719                                           Union Beach, NJ 07735

 

Morris County                                               Ocean County                       

Morris Plains Community Center                     Bell Crest Plaza                      

51 Jim Fear Drive                                            Store Front 4C                                                                                                          

Morris Plains, NJ 07950                                   953 Fischer Blvd.                                                                                                                                                         Toms River, NJ  08753                                                                      

Ocean County                                               Passaic County

Brick Township Civic Center                           Passaic County Department of Health

270 Chambers Bridge Road                           317 Pennsylvania Ave.

Brick, NJ 08723                                               Paterson, NJ 07503

 

Salem County                                               Somerset County

Penns Grove EMS Building                            Somerset County Human Services

25 East Griffith St.                                          27 Warren St.

Penns Grove, NJ 08069                                 Somerville, NJ 08876

 

Sussex County                                            Union County

Sussex County Community College               Chisholm School Community Center

1 College Hill Road                                        100 S. Springfield Ave.

Newton, NJ 07860                                          Springfield, NJ 07081

 

Warren County

Franklin Township Municipal Building                     

2093 Route 57

Broadway, NJ 08808

 

In addition to the DRCs, there are also SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to serve business customers. SBA Customer Service Representatives are available at BRCs to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance for losses. They are at the following locations, until further notice:

 

Atlantic County                                                       Bergen County

Richard Stockton College                                         Bergen Community College

Small Business Development Center                        Small Business Development Center 

35 South Martin Luther King Blvd.                            355 Main St., Room 121

Atlantic City, NJ 08401                                              Hackensack, NJ 07601

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.                       Hours: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Cape May County                                                    Essex County

Cape May County Chamber of Commerce                Rutgers University

13 Crest Haven Road                                                Small Business Development Center

Cape May, NJ 08210                                                  25 James St.   

Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.                    Newark, NJ 07102

                                                                                  Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Hudson County                                                       Middlesex County

Small Business Development Center                        John F. Kennedy Library

New Jersey City University                                        500 Hoes Lane

285 West Side Ave., Suites 189 – 191                      Piscataway, NJ 08854

Jersey City, NJ 07305                                               Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m to 5 p.m

Hours: Mon. – Sat.10 a.m. to 5 p.m.                                     Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.                                                                                                                                                 

Monmouth County                                                  Ocean County

Brookdale Community College                                  Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce

765 Newman Springs Road                                       Stafford Heritage Park Train Station and Rail Car   

Bankier Library, Room 246 (SBDC)                          (Across from Manahawkin Lake between RT 9 and

Lincroft, NJ 07738                                                     RT 72)

Hours: Mon- Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.                               West Bay Ave.

                                                                                 Manahawkin, NJ 08050

                                                                                 Hours:   Mon – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Passaic County                                                       Union County

William Paterson University                                       Kean University – SBDC

Small Business Development Center                        Business One-Stop Service – The Incubator

131 Ellison St.                                                           320 Park Ave.

Paterson, NJ 07505                                                   Plainfield, NJ 07060

Hours: Mon- Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.                                Hours: Mon- Fri 9 a.m. to 5 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.

 

 

Original article: 

Additional New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Atlantic and Ocean Counties

Corps Teams with Volunteer Agencies to Help Bring Stability to New Jersey

LINCROFT, N.J. — FEMA, the state of New Jersey, volunteer agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working out of the State-FEMA Joint Field Office in Lincroft, NJ, began a Shelter In Place Assistance Program Nov. 14 to help New Jersey residents recover following Hurricane Sandy.

The program provides training, mentoring, and materials by Army engineers to Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) members, such as the Southern Baptist Convention, Mennonite and Methodist Men.

“The most important part of recovery is helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy get back to a sense of normalcy,” said Joel Hendrix, South Atlantic Division, Chief Readiness and Contingency Operations, who is leading the Corps efforts. “Nothing brings more stability to someone affected by disaster than getting back into their home.”

The program seeks to give VOAD groups the skills and materials necessary to make minor, temporary repairs to homes, such as boarding up windows with plywood. Allowing people to return to their homes so quickly after a disaster, said Hendrix, not only gives them time to make more permanent repairs but also minimizes the number of people seeking temporary shelter.

About 500 homes, many of which suffered water damage, will be assessed for possible repairs.

“Our job is to support the governor and the volunteers,” Hendrix said.

The Corps’ team is working in close coordination with FEMA, and state and locals officials.

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. 

View this article:  

Corps Teams with Volunteer Agencies to Help Bring Stability to New Jersey

Watch Out For Fraudsters

TRENTON, N.J. — As many Garden State residents work to recover from Hurricane Sandy, state and federal officials are warning of a danger lurking around the corner:  phony building contractors and other scam artists could soon appear in your community attempting to take advantage of your vulnerability as a disaster survivor.

There are a few simple steps that you can take to make sure you’re dealing with an honest person. 

Your first and best defense is to know the most common post-disaster fraud practices.

Here are some of the fraudster’s favorites:

Phony housing inspectors: If your home’s damage is visible from the street, you may be especially vulnerable to the phony housing inspector who claims to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). You should:

  • Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge if he or she does not offer to show it. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government. All federal employees and contractors carry official, laminated photo identification.

  • Avoid giving bank account numbers to an inspector claiming to be affiliated with the federal government. FEMA inspectors never require banking information.

  • Understand that FEMA housing inspectors verify damage, but do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. They also do not determine cost estimates.

Fraudulent building contractors:  Damage visible from the street can also bring out sham contractors who visit your home offering to begin work immediately. They take your money and disappear, leaving behind unfinished work and unsafe homes. 

  • Before hiring a contractor, check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to make sure the contractor is registered.

  • Ask for a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance and verify that the policy is valid.

  • All contracts should be in writing, and reviewed before being signed.

Fake offers of state or federal aid: If someone claiming to be from FEMA or the state visits, calls

or emails you asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information, beware. That information could be sold to identity thieves or used to defraud you.

A twist on this scam is the phone or in-person solicitor who promises to speed up the

insurance, disaster assistance or building-permit process. Then there are scam artists who promise

you a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

Here’s what to do:

  • Provide your Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance, either by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, or going online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via a web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov.   If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362.

  • Know that federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money.  FEMA and SBA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.  If in doubt, do not give out information, and report people claiming to be government workers to local police.

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

Charity Scams:  Before donating, be sure to investigate to make sure the organization asking for donations is registered to solicit in New Jersey.  Ask how the money will be used.

For other questions, New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer

Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or by calling 800-242-5846.

 

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.

From:  

Watch Out For Fraudsters

FEMA Online Help Digest

Individuals, families and business owners in all New Jersey Counties may qualify for aid programs provided and coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The following is a summary and list of online resources for survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Residents can also get disaster-related information by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or calling the FEMA helpline 24/7 at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  

Residents can also access information on assistance available to help with recovery needs by visiting a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find the nearest DRC:  http://www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance.

Assistance for affected individuals, families, and businesses may include:

  • Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Benefits may be extended for up to 18 months, based on a review of individual applicant requirements.   Rental listings on the FEMA Housing Portal at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm.
  • Short-term lodging assistance for evacuees who are not able to return home for an extended or indeterminate period of time following a disaster. FEMA may provide Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) in hotels and motels to those who continue to need housing after shelters have closed because they are unable to return to their homes. To find participating hotels visit http://www.femaevachotels.com.
  • Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  To start the application process and for additional information: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ .
  • Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.  More applications and more information: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm.
  • Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  These benefits are made available to individuals not covered by other unemployment compensation programs, such as self-employed, farmers, migrant and seasonal workers. All unemployed individuals must register with New Jersey’s employment services office before they can receive DUA benefits. New Jersey disaster unemployment benefits site: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/aftrfile/dua.html.
  • Low-interest Small Business Administration disaster loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. http://www.sba.gov/content/home-and-personal-property-loans.
  • Small Business Administration Disaster Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster’s adverse economic impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million.  http://www.sba.gov/content/business-physical-disaster-loans.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. Applications for emergency loans must be received within 8 months of the county’s disaster or quarantine designation date. Program information available at:  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=efl.  To find the Nearest USDA service center: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa.
  • Other programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters. http://www.fema.gov/additional-assistance#1
  • There is a wealth of resources about New Jersey’s programs for disaster survivors. http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lwdhome/content/SandyHelpCenter.html.
  • For a summary of specific programs for which applications may be submitted on line: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance/browse-by-category/category/D05.

 

How to Apply for Assistance:

To begin the disaster registration process, residents and business owners in all 21 New Jersey counties can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a weekly until further notice. 

Before registering, applicants should gather the following basic information to speed up the process:

  • Social Security number;
  • Telephone number where he or she can be reached;
  • Address of the damaged property;
  • Current address;
  • Brief description of disaster-related damages and losses;
  • Insurance information; and
  • Bank account information. (Because many residents are relocating, mailed checks may not reach them FEMA strongly encourages applicants to provide account and routing numbers to enable direct deposit of assistance funds.)

 

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 article here – 

FEMA Online Help Digest

FEMA Inspectors Help Start Connecticut Recovery from Sandy

Release Number:

FEMA Inspectors Help Start Connecticut Recovery from Sandy

WINDSOR, Conn. –One of the most important signs of progress is the arrival of an official damage inspector from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at a damaged property.

The arrival of an inspector from FEMA means the damage to a home will be identified and recorded.   Identifying damage is an important step in determining both the amount and the types of assistance FEMA may provide.

If you live in one of the counties designated for disaster assistance and have registered with FEMA, you may be eligible for grants to help pay for rental housing, essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses.

All residents of Fairfield, Middlesex, New Haven and New London counties, and the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from the FEMA Individual Assistance grant program.

The gateway to all this aid is registration for assistance with FEMA.

People with storm losses should register with FEMA online at our accessible website: www.DisasterAssistance.gov, with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov.   Applicants can also register by phone by calling FEMA at: 800-621-3362.  If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585.  Multilingual operators are available.

Following your registration for assistance, should you qualify for an inspection; a FEMA inspector will call to set up a time to see your property.   It is important to meet the inspector to avoid delays in the inspection process.

If you can’t be present for the scheduled appointment, you can appoint someone 18 or older who lived in the house prior to the disaster to stand in for you during the inspection.

When the inspector arrives, be prepared to provide written proof of home ownership, such as a tax receipt, mortgage payment book or home insurance policy showing the property’s address.  If proof of ownership is not available, the inspector will complete the inspection, but proof of ownership must be provided to FEMA.   If the inspector is to document damage for a renter, proof of residence, such as a copy of the lease or a utility bill, is required.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and private insurance companies may also have inspectors working in your area, but the FEMA inspector will wear an official FEMA badge and will have the registration number your case was assigned when you registered for assistance.   FEMA does not charge a fee for an inspection.

Disability Awareness: The recommended font type is sans serif 12 point for regular print and sans serif 18 point when specifically printed for people with vision impairments.

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-FEMA (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 cover 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.

Credit – 

FEMA Inspectors Help Start Connecticut Recovery from Sandy

Disaster Recovery Centers Offer Resources to Hurricane Survivors

HARTFORD, Conn. – Residents affected by Hurricane Sandy may get first-hand information about resources available by speaking directly with recovery specialists at any one of five Disaster Recovery Centers.

Survivors can get answers to their questions, information about state and federal programs and help with paperwork. Specialists can direct survivors to volunteer agencies that may be able to meet specific needs.

Federal assistance can include grants for rental assistance and essential home repairs. Homeowners, renters, business owners and certain nonprofit organizations may also qualify for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to replace or repair real estate, personal property, business equipment, inventory and assets. The SBA also offers low-interest economic injury loans to business owners.

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a center.

People with storm losses should register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Applicants also can register by phone by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. If you use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster Recovery Center locations include:

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06831

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06340

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Long Wharf Campus Gateway Community College

60 Sargent Drive

New Haven, CT 06511

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday- Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook 06475

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday – Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

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-FEMA (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 effort, 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 original – 

Disaster Recovery Centers Offer Resources to Hurricane Survivors

FEMA Provides Millions More to Restore the City of New Orleans’ Municipal Auditorium

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the city of New Orleans recently announced more than $3.5 million in additional recovery aid to restore the city’s Municipal Auditorium, which was damaged during Hurricane Katrina. 

As a component of the New Orleans Cultural Center, located alongside the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Louis Armstrong Park, the Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Municipal Auditorium, as it’s formally called, served pre-Katrina as a public facility with a 6,000-seat capacity to host civic events.

“The Municipal Auditorium has been an important New Orleans landmark with a rich cultural history for decades,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “These federal recovery dollars are an encouraging step forward and will supplement the money FEMA has already allocated. We are making progress every day and will continue to work with FEMA to identify new eligible funding for this storm-damaged building so that we can one day get it back into commerce. FEMA continues to be an important partner in our recovery from Hurricane Katrina.”

In recovery partnership with the city of New Orleans, FEMA Public Assistance staffers recently re-evaluated the eligible damages at the Municipal Auditorium and determined the additional funding was necessary to support disaster-related roof damages not previously taken into account. Likewise, the current funding also covers determined architectural finishes that will require asbestos abatement and remediation of disaster-impacted lead-based paint.

“Regarding roof damages, FEMA’s earlier site visits were limited to visual observations of damages, but more recent investigations with the city included roof sampling and the use of technology-based moisture surveys to best identify Katrina’s overall impact,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Acting Executive Director

Andre Cadogan. “As a result, the total area of damaged roofing was increased to approximately 110,000 square feet, which FEMA’s most recent funding encompasses.”   

FEMA’s previous funding addressed architectural damages in the Municipal Auditorium’s basement through fifth floors, excluding damages attributed to mold, asbestos and lead paint.

“In order for the city to move forward safely with these repairs, recent site investigations also focused on identifying architectural areas where damage to lead-based paint and asbestos materials had occurred. These findings are now represented in our recent grant and will enable the city to move this recovery project along as needed,” added Cadogan.

To date, FEMA has obligated approximately $6.4 billion in public assistance funding for Katrina and Rita related recovery work throughout the city of New Orleans.

Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/latro.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/femalro, blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.      

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed. 

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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.

This article: 

FEMA Provides Millions More to Restore the City of New Orleans’ Municipal Auditorium

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