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Don’t Wait for Insurance Settlement to Apply for an SBA Loan

NEW YORK – Survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before applying for Small Business Administration disaster loan assistance. FEMA and the SBA encourage survivors of Hurricane Sandy in eligible New York counties to return their completed applications, even if they have not settled with their insurance company.

If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan.

“Your insurance policy may not cover all the replacement, repair and rebuilding costs – and the disaster loan is available to cover the difference. You don’t have to wait for an insurance settlement, though. If the insurance money covers damage that you’ve borrowed for, the overlap can be used to pay down the loan,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Disaster home and business loans are available to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, including contents. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes having difficulties meeting operating expenses because of the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

“Our partnership with SBA is very important because they are a key step in recovery process,” said New York Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “Survivors should make it a priority to return their application to SBA because even if they do not qualify for a loan, they may be eligible for other assistance.”

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 19 SBA business recovery centers. To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text: “DRC 10301.” If you use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.)

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

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

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Don’t Wait for Insurance Settlement to Apply for an SBA Loan

Public Assistance Mitigation Funds Can Help Break Cycle of Repetitive Loss

WINDSOR, Conn. — While the Federal Emergency Management Agency expects to help the state pay for repairing infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sandy, FEMA can also help cover the costs of rebuilding critical infrastructure to a stronger, safer standard.

The work is known as mitigation, which is intended to break the cycle of damage and reduce repetitive losses.

“Studies show that every dollar spent on mitigation saves $4 down the road by preventing disaster-related damage and loss,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program helps local governments and certain private, nonprofit organizations pay for eligible disaster-related costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repair or restoration of public infrastructure. FEMA provides a minimum of 75 percent of the cost of repairs.

Generally, the PA program restores disaster-damaged infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions. However, where cost-effective and technically feasible, additional funding can be approved to restore the facility to a higher standard and make it more disaster-resistant.

Such projects can include:

Increasing the size of culverts under bridges and roadways to allow floodwaters to flow through without damage;
Armoring riverbanks with stone to forestall erosion; and
Constructing gated floodwalls to prevent the inundation of structures or neighborhoods.

Eligible applicants for Public Assistance funding and mitigation include state agencies, local and county governments, tribal nations and nonprofit agencies that provide essential services. As part of the federal assistance application process, FEMA and the state help applicants identify projects that qualify for mitigation funding.

FEMA and its state partners are encouraging applicants to take advantage of mitigation funding to help reduce repetitive losses from disasters.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Public Assistance Mitigation Funds Can Help Break Cycle of Repetitive Loss

FEMA Awards First of Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program Grants

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today it is awarding nearly $4 million to two local governments to help pay for costs associated with implementing the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program.

STEP funds emergency residential essential and necessary repairs such as restoration of temporary electricity, heat and hot water so that survivors can remain in their homes while permanent repair work continues.

The FEMA Public Assistance program is providing at least 75 percent of the eligible expenses for STEP; the remaining 25 percent will be provided by non-federal funds. FEMA has awarded $2.8 million to Nassau County and $1.1 million to Suffolk County.

“FEMA’s first priority is getting New Yorkers home,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “We understand that survivors are hard at work repairing and rebuilding houses. STEP is an emergency program that will enable them to move out of hotels and shelters and safely return to their homes during renovation.”

Under the program, residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties will be able to have the damage to their residences assessed and, where safe and practicable, have electricity restored and other basic repairs made so they can move back into their homes. This may include making temporary repairs to ramps and other related elements needed to make the homes accessible for residents with disabilities and others with physical accommodation requirements.

The STEP program was initiated after Hurricane Sandy to allow New Yorkers who do not have power to shelter-in-place in their homes while permanent repairs are completed. The STEP program is ongoing; these are the first funds awarded through this pilot program. FEMA officials expect that funds to reimburse local governments for STEP will increase in the coming weeks.

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 Awards First of Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Program Grants

No Loss Of Benefits For New Jersey Seniors Receiving Disaster Aid

TRENTON, N.J. — Seniors who suffered losses when hurricane Sandy pummeled New Jersey don’t have to worry about being hit a second time if they receive disaster funds. FEMA disaster assistance is not counted as income, is not taxed, and has no effect on Social Security or other government benefits.

Federal Coordinating Officer, Michael J. Hall said, “When seniors get a check from FEMA, the Internal Revenue Service knows that it’s to help them get back to where they were before the storm. It is not counted as income. Older adults won’t have a penny of this assistance taxed or have any benefits cut.”

Seniors and others who had disaster related losses may apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.

Seniors are encouraged to call and register. A FEMA specialist will explain the types of help available and walk callers through the registration process. They are knowledgeable about the process and can answer their questions in a language they feel comfortable speaking.

State Coordinating officer, Lt. Jeff Mottley said, “If seniors receive an SBA application form after registering with FEMA, it’s very important for them to complete and return it. The application helps determine their eligibility for a wide range of disaster relief programs. It’s not just for a loan.”

New Jersey seniors affected by the storm can find out how to apply for an SBA loan by calling 800-659-2955 or by visiting www.sba.gov/disaster. For more information about other elder care issues, call the national referral service, Eldercare Locators, at 800-677-1116.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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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No Loss Of Benefits For New Jersey Seniors Receiving Disaster Aid

More Than Three Quarters of a Billion Dollars Approved for Hurricane Sandy Survivors in New York State

NEW YORK – Just over a month after Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $754 million in disaster assistance for New York State survivors under the agency’s Individuals and Households program.

As of Dec. 7, more than $754 million in grants was approved through FEMA’s Individuals and Households program. Of that, more than $689 million was for housing assistance and more than $65 million to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as funeral expenses and lost personal possessions.

“In the impacted neighborhoods of New York, we concentrated our efforts to get money into the hands of survivors,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “We targeted the hardest hit areas and were able to expedite initial assistance to people who needed it most.”

Grant money goes directly to survivors in the 13 New York counties designated for federal individual assistance, helping them rebuild their homes and lives. FEMA is focusing on the hardest hit areas of New York State which includes the following counties:

Bronx $1.9 million
Kings $161.6 million
Nassau $249.6 million
New York $10.9 million
Queens $193.1 million
Richmond $78 million
Suffolk $55.6 million

Those who have already registered for assistance should stay in close touch with FEMA throughout the recovery process. It is important that applicants keep FEMA updated with good contact information such as a current mailing address, cellphone or work number. The deadline for registration is Dec. 31, 2012.

Anyone with questions about correspondence from FEMA should visit one of the more than 30 disaster recovery centers open in New York or call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice.

To locate the nearest disaster recovery center, simply text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address of the nearest center. Also, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call the FEMA Helpline.

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of Dec. 7th:

More than 248,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $754 million has been approved. More than 125,000 people have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov, or on their smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.
33 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 81,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
172 inspectors are in the field, and more than 155,000 home inspections have been completed.
745 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout the affected communities, going door-to-door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register.
7 Points of Distribution (PODs) are open and providing supplies to the affected residents.
3 Prescription Medication Task Force Teams (PMTFT) and 1 National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) from the Department of Health and Human Services remain deployed in New York.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has removed 263,498 cubic yards of debris from rights-of-way.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly $102 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA has staff members at 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.

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

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More Than Three Quarters of a Billion Dollars Approved for Hurricane Sandy Survivors in New York State

FEMA Urges Prompt Return of SBA Disaster Loan Application

NEW YORK – Survivors of Hurricane Sandy, who received a loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), should take the time to fill it out and return it promptly. This includes homeowners, renters, business owners, and non-profit organizations that have called the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to register for disaster assistance.

“SBA is our partner in disaster recovery. If you received an application from the SBA, whether you are a business, homeowner or renter, you need to return the application.” said Michael F. Byrne, coordinating officer for the federal recovery operations in the affected area. “Filling out the application is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of assistance.”

An SBA disaster loan can help homeowners, renters and businesses cover any repair or rebuilding costs not covered by private insurance or cover disaster-related damage costs that exceed the initial estimate. Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles.

“The SBA has approved more than $96 million in Disaster Assistance Loans in the state of New York with almost $89 million for homeowners and renters,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. “We are pleased to be able to get these loans approved so residents and businesses in the disaster area can start to rebuild and resume their normal lives.”

Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as 4 percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as 3 percent and for homeowners and renters the rates are as low as 1.688 percent with terms as long as 30 years.

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

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.) Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

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

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FEMA Urges Prompt Return of SBA Disaster Loan Application

Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations Get Smart About Low-Interest Disaster Loans

WINDSOR, Conn. — Businesses and nonprofit organizations are discovering a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration is a smart business decision.

Disaster loans provide funding for private sector recovery and are being used to:

Repair or replace buildings and business assets, such as equipment and inventory;
Meet payroll and lease obligations during business downtime caused by the disaster;
Refinance existing liens; and
Make improvements to protect against future damage.

“Disaster loans from the SBA are the major source of federal disaster recovery assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The interest rates are low—as low as 4 percent for businesses and 3 percent for nonprofits.”

SBA offers businesses and nonprofits two types of disaster loans: a Physical Disaster Loan and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

Physical Disaster Loans are used to repair or replace damaged buildings and business assets. Economic Injury Disaster Loans help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofits meet financial obligations that they cannot meet because of the disaster.

Business owners may also be eligible to refinance existing liens or mortgages.

Applications from the SBA are mailed to most survivors who register for assistance with FEMA. No one is obligated to accept a loan if offered.

SBA low-interest disaster loans for businesses have several advantages:

SBA requires no collateral for physical loans less than $14,000 or economic injury loans less than $5,000. SBA requires the borrower to pledge as collateral only what is available, plus satisfactory credit and the ability to repay.

Applicants don’t have to wait for insurance settlements to obtain loans.

Loans are written for a length of time appropriate to the type of loan, but SBA may make adjustments in the length to lower the monthly payments.

SBA offers mitigation loans to help pay for improvements to reduce potential for future damage. These mitigation funds are available for up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage.

SBA never charges an application fee or points for its disaster loans.

By law, SBA business loans cannot exceed $2 million. If a business is a major employer, SBA may waive the limit.

The deadline to file for a Physical Damage Disaster Loan is Dec. 31. The deadline for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is July 31, 2013.

No one is obligated to accept a loan if approved. SBA gives applicants six months to decide whether to accept a loan.

SBA has opened a Business Recovery Center in Fairfield County at the Fairfield County SCORE office, 111 East Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851. The center is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The SBA offers online an 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.

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Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations Get Smart About Low-Interest Disaster Loans

New Jersey Recovery: One Month Later

LINCROFT, N.J. – On the evening of October 29, Hurricane Sandy made landfall along the New Jersey coast resulting in the most damaging disaster in state history. Since then, Federal funds obligated to assist the residents and communities in the state have totaled more than $730 million.

The federal effort deployed to assist the state included 18 agencies with more than 2,600 personnel. In addition, under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), 12 states have deployed

440 personnel and equipment to support New Jersey. This includes law enforcement teams providing security and emergency medical services supporting sheltering and other life support needs.

The New Jersey National Guard responded with a force of over 2,200 Guardsmen to support response efforts throughout the state. For New Jersey, it was the largest mobilization of National Guardsmen to a domestic emergency and the largest humanitarian effort the state has orchestrated. The Guard rescued more than 7,000 residents and their pets, operated three fuel distribution points, transported and delivered tens of thousands of basic needs commodities to armories within communities impacted by the storm and provided approximately 250 hours of helicopter lift support to civilian authorities.

Even before Sandy made landfall, FEMA positioned food, water and blankets and deployed experts from several federal agencies to New Jersey, including the U.S. Coast Guard and other components of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and Housing and Urban Development to provide resources and guidance to the state. Together, critical life-saving needs were provided in the immediate aftermath: emergency medical care, search and rescue, power generators in critical facilities, fuel for first responders.

FEMA also has issued 235 mission assignments to support disaster response and recovery needs, totaling nearly $250 million in projected assistance. This includes federal operational support (support among federal agencies) totaling $67.8 million, technical assistance support (federal support to the state) of $11.2 million such as the expertise brought to New Jersey to support assessment of critical infrastructure throughout the state, and direct federal assistance of nearly $170.0 million.

Immediately following Hurricane Sandy’s landfall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), working with FEMA and local and state authorities, identified critical locations that needed temporary emergency power. They installed 102 emergency generators between Oct. 31 and Nov. 19 to provide life-saving power to 9-1-1 centers, police and fire stations and medical facilities; life-sustaining facilities such as shelters, water and wastewater treatment and pumping facilities; and other municipal facilities required to reinstitute local command and control and post-event recovery.

FEMA and local and state authorities turned to USACE for its extensive experience removing debris following natural disasters, assigning a debris management technical assistance mission in New Jersey Nov. 6. USACE placed debris subject matter experts in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex and Union counties working with FEMA, state, county and local authorities to assess the quantities and types of debris and recommend courses of action for its removal. Quantities of various types of debris are still being calculated but are estimated to total around 6.2 million cubic yards, or enough debris to fill the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

The U.S. Fire Service provided 26 chainsaw teams totaling 520 personnel to assist with tree removal in neighborhoods throughout the state. They also provided four Incident Management Teams who assisted the state Fire Marshal with fire coordination and fire planning response.

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, Deputy National Security Advisor John O. Brennan, Deputy Transportation Secretary John Pocari, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick have toured damaged New Jersey communities and met with local leaders and emergency responders to view recovery efforts while vowing to bring all available resources to bear to support state and local partners in assisting survivors in the 21 counties designated for assistance.

“FEMA and the entire federal family have been our partners from the beginning,” said State Coordinating Officer Lt. Jeff Mottley. “They anticipated many of our needs and when there were challenges, they quickly offered solutions.”

“Getting survivors the assistance they need has been our top priority from the beginning,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. “When families and businesses begin to recover, whole communities begin to recover. The faster we can get recovery dollars into the hands of survivors and reimburse communities for disaster expenses, the faster they will move forward in their healing.”

In the first 30 days, FEMA provided $286 million to assist individuals and families repair damaged homes, find temporary housing and assist with expenses such as medical and dental bills. More than 46,000 New Jersey families have benefitted from that assistance so far.

Restoring power to over 2.6 million homes, businesses and government customers represented a critical priority. The Department of Energy worked closely with the state Board of Public Utilities to coordinate the power restoration. Demonstrating a true whole community response, over 23,000 utility professionals came together from New Jersey’s utility companies and, through mutual aid agreements with companies across the country, worked to restore service across the state.

To meet a critical need at a critical time, nearly 3,000 families have taken advantage of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program by lodging in 340 hotels during the first four-week period.

Helping disaster survivors who were displaced from their homes due to damage or power loss find safe and secure shelter is a key priority of the response. At peak of sheltering operations, 107 shelters were open with 4,370 people. Through efforts across federal, state, local, private sector and voluntary agencies, the last of the shelters closed on November 21.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened 10 Business Recovery Centers in the state to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance and has approved more than $21 million in disaster loans to both individuals and businesses.

The first FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers opened just days after the storm passed and continue to assist survivors at more than 36 locations where nearly 25,000 residents have been offered assistance and information about their recovery.

More than 650 FEMA community relations specialists have met with more than 86,000 storm survivors while going door-to-door. In total, nearly 150,000 homes were visited delivering information vital to disaster survivor’s recovery.

Even as Sandy was making its way up the east coast, FEMA and the Department of Defense established Incident Support Bases at Westover, Mass. and Lakehurst, New Jersey to position supplies and other resources close to areas in the hurricane’s path. Following the storm, more than 1.7 million meals and 2.6 million snacks have been served to survivors and first responders.

The Department of Health and Human Services deployed hundreds of personnel, including five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and three Public Health Strike Teams to support hospitals and shelters in New Jersey. In total they were able to assist more than 750 people with medical needs.

FEMA also has teamed with the private sector network of business, industry, academia, trade associations, and other non-governmental organizations as equal partners in assisting with Sandy recovery.

The storm impact on New Jersey was historic in its severity. Storm surge impacts of up to 11 feet battered the coastline and wave heights of more than 14 feet were recorded. Peak wind gusts of 88 mph were clocked in Essex County. The devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy affected, damaged or destroyed more than 122,000 structures throughout all 21 counties.

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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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New Jersey Recovery: One Month Later

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

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.

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

New York Recovery: One Month Later

Federal Funding for New York State Hurricane Sandy Recovery Tops $1 billion

NEW YORK — In the one month since President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in New York for Hurricane Sandy, the federal government has contributed more than $1 billion to help New Yorkers, their communities and the state with disaster-related needs, as well as assigning equipment and supplies, and deploying thousands of people to assist in the response and recovery from the storm.

FEMA has provided more than $714 million to assist individuals and families repair damaged homes, find temporary housing and assist with expenses such as medical and dental bills.

Recognizing the response to such a devastating storm requires a coordinated effort; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has partnered with dozens of federal agencies, the state of New York, New York City, county, local and tribal governments, volunteer organizations and the private sector to assist survivors through established programs as well as innovative initiatives developed specifically for Hurricane Sandy.

Assisting New York residents affected by the massive storm has been a priority even before Sandy struck, when the President authorized federal action to prepare for the advancing storm including prepositioning food, water and blankets, deploying expert officials from several federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and other components of the Department of Homeland Security. Assistance remains on-going through the efforts of more than 3,700 FEMA personnel working to make sure eligible survivors know what help is available and how to get it.

Even as the storm raged, search-and-rescue teams and emergency medical personnel were responding to critical life-saving needs. As soon as the storm passed, crews went to work positioning power generators in strategic locations in affected areas, pumping millions of gallons of water from flooded subway stations and tunnels, and dealing with the most pressing

infrastructure needs. Since then hundreds of millions in disaster assistance have been allocated to make homes habitable, remove millions of cubic yards of debris, provide temporary housing, restore electricity and replace lost personal possessions.

In addition to President Barack Obama’s tour of damaged areas here, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Small Business Administrator Karen Mills, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service Wendy Spencer and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate have toured damaged New York communities to view response and recovery efforts while vowing to bring all available resources to bear to support state and local partners in assisting survivors in the 13 counties designated for assistance.

“FEMA and our federal and state partners are committed to the recovery and rebuilding of New York,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne. “We will remain on the ground until the job is finished. We’ve been on it and we’re staying on it.”

Even as Sandy was making its way up the east coast, FEMA and the Department of Defense established Incident Support Bases at Westover, Mass., and Lakehurst, N.J., to position supplies and other resources close to areas in the hurricane’s path. Since the storm, 3.2 million meals have been served, and 2.4 million liters of water distributed, and 210,000, blankets have been distributed to survivors.

The first FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers opened just days after the storm passed and continue to assist survivors at more than 36 locations where more than 64,000 have met face-to-face with disaster assistance experts. Nearly 1,300 FEMA community relations specialists have met with more than 73,000 storm survivors while going door-to-door delivering information vital to recovery as well as blankets and other necessities.

By using geospatial mapping imagery, FEMA identified areas with the most significant storm damage so survivors whose homes were inaccessible could be eligible as soon as possible for temporary housing assistance — without having to wait for a FEMA home inspection. In neighborhoods reachable on foot, FEMA inspectors hit the ground as soon as they could to meet with survivors and assess damages to their homes.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has staff members at 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance and has approved more than $57 million in disaster loans to both individuals and businesses.

Along with FEMA’s traditional recovery programs designed to provide financial or direct assistance to individuals and families, FEMA has responded with an innovative program called Sheltering and Temporary and Essential Power (STEP).

The program is funded by FEMA and administered by the state, county and local governments to serve survivors by bringing in contractors to perform basic repairs, like covering broken windows and safely restoring electricity, so that residents can return to their homes while more long-term repairs are made. New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties have worked to implement programs available through STEP, and home repairs have begun.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance also has been made available to supplement New York’s existing unemployment insurance system and expands eligibility to include individuals who might otherwise not be covered, like those who are self-employed.

FEMA continues to lead the government’s efforts to assist survivors and communities recover along with coordinating the emergency response of other federal agencies.

More than 27 federal agencies have joined FEMA in Hurricane Sandy preparation, response and recovery, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor and numerous volunteer agencies affiliated with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, including the American Red Cross and many faith-based organizations.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development responded swiftly, deploying subject matter experts to staff disaster recovery centers to provide program information and local housing resources to Hurricane Sandy survivors. Additionally, the Department assigned employees to work closely with federal and state partners to quickly facilitate the approval of program waivers and new initiatives designed to speed aid to those impacted by the storm.

The Department of Health and Human Services approved more than $8.2 million in grants for behavioral health support to New York residents and deployed more than 1,100 personnel, including approximately 13 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, medical and mental health professionals from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and caches of medical supplies to support hospitals and shelters in the New York City area.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided approximately 1.1 million pounds of food for distribution to affected households and issued additional Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to qualifying households to help replace food lost because of hurricane damage. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service mobilized 1,100 personnel to assist with tree clearing and disaster assistance.

Other federal agencies responded with more than $460 million to help restore power, deliver gasoline and diesel fuel, dispose of hazards, clear roads, restore public transportation, provide medical services and various other disaster related activities.

A total of 1.4 million cubic yards of storm debris has been removed in New York, including 409,429 cubic yards disposed of by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which also has drained more than 270 million gallons of salt water from tunnels, underpasses and other areas throughout New York City, enough to fill a space equal to 843 football fields one foot deep.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $27 million through its National Emergency Grant funds to the New York Department of Labor to assist with the restoration of public lands, infrastructure, and to assist with cleanup and recovery. The U.S. Department of Transportation approved $10 million in quick-release emergency relief funds to New York for a variety of immediate repairs to roads, bridges and tunnels.

The New York National Guard deployed almost 4,000 troops and fueled more than 13,000 city vehicles while visiting more than 16,000 homes and apartments to check on residents. Marine Corps helicopters airlifted generators into affected areas.

Other services contributed by federal agencies include U.S Air Force cargo planes that transported electric utility trucks from as far away as California, the U.S. Maritime Administration that dispatched ships to be used as cost-effective housing for first responders, utility workers, National Guardsmen and others, and the Defense Logistics Agency that purchased millions of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel for distribution to communities impacted by Sandy.

FEMA also has teamed with the private sector network of business, industry, academia, trade associations, and other non-governmental organizations as partners in assisting with Sandy recovery.

New York has had the full support of the federal government in this first month following the landfall of Hurricane Sandy, and we continue to stay on it. FEMA continues to work with agencies like HUD, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HHS, and other agencies as we work with the state on the ongoing and longer-term recovery needs of New York.

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

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New York Recovery: One Month Later

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