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New Kent County Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy

RICHMOND, Va. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that New Kent County is now eligible for disaster aid under the FEMA Public Assistance program.

The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments, and certain private nonprofit entities at least 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with Hurricane Sandy. Grants will help pay for the emergency protective measures taken during the storm, debris removal from public roads, and permanent repairs to public infrastructure, highways, bridges, utilities, schools, museums, parks, and other taxpayer-funded facilities. The remaining 25 percent comes from state and local funds.

With the addition of New Kent County, there are now 26 Virginia counties and 3 cities designated for Public Assistance. Under President Obama’s federal disaster declaration, Accomack, Arlington, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Essex, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, King and Queen, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Mathews, Middlesex, Nelson, New Kent, Northampton, Northumberland, Prince William, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Surry, Warren, and Westmoreland counties and the cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Manassas are eligible for disaster aid under the FEMA Public Assistance Program.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide

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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New Kent County Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy

Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Declaration

Main Content

Release date:

January 10, 2013

Release Number:

HQ-12-XXXFactsheet

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s disaster declaration issued for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Assistance for the Commonwealth and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures, including direct federal assistance, taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by commonwealth and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, commonwealth administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for commonwealth and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/commonwealth applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the commonwealth from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our first responders and 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.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

Last Updated:

January 10, 2013 – 23:29

State or Region:

Pennsylvania

and

Region III

Related Disaster:

Pennsylvania Hurricane Sandy

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Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Declaration

President Declares Disaster for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to Pennsylvania to supplement the commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, 2012.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to the commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Bedford, Bucks, Cameron, Dauphin, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Potter, Somerset, Sullivan, and Wyoming counties.

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

Thomas J. McCool has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. McCool said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at 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.

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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President Declares Disaster for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Only a Few Days Remain to Apply for Rhode Island Sandy Aid

WARWICK, R.I. – Rhode Islanders with losses from Hurricane Sandy have only a few days remaining to request state-federal disaster recovery assistance. The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is midnight, Monday, January 14.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov until midnight. Register by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Multilingual recovery specialists are available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.

FEMA-state assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, uninsured vehicle damage, lost or damaged personal property and many other costs incurred because of Hurricane Sandy. Even people who have insurance may qualify for FEMA aid to help with expenses their insurance does not cover, such as temporary housing during home repairs.

Low interest disaster loans are vital to full recovery for many who had storm damage. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides these loans, not just for small businesses, but also for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and some private nonprofits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. To date, the SBA has approved more than $641,000 in disaster recovery loans to Rhode Island homeowners. The deadline to apply for an SBA loan is Tuesday, January 15.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Rhode Islanders who lost income because of Hurricane Sandy and are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits may be eligible for special disaster unemployment benefits. The deadline to apply is February 4, 2013. File a claim online at http://www.dlt.ri.gov/ui/.

Find tweets about Sandy recovery at www.twitter.com/femaregion1. For Rhode Island specific information go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4089. Other online resources include http://blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Only a Few Days Remain to Apply for Rhode Island Sandy Aid

FEMA Awards Nearly $15 Million in Public Assistance Grants to Local Governments

New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Parks and Recreation, Nassau County and the Town of Babylon receive FEMA funds.

NEW YORK – This week the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced four additional Public Assistance grants totaling nearly $15 million to reimburse New York City Department of Transportation, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Nassau County and the town of Babylon for costs associated with debris removal following Hurricane Sandy.

The hurricane’s strong winds and heavy rains brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines creating hazardous conditions, impeding traffic and leaving behind more than six million cubic yards of debris. Collecting and clearing out that debris has been one of the most difficult and time-consuming challenges of the recovery. Statewide, 76 percent of storm-generated debris has been picked up.

“FEMA is committed to getting people back into their homes,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “Debris removal has cleared the way for people to move out of hotels and shelters and begin repairing their homes and communities. As the New Year begins, FEMA will continue to work with our partners in state and local governments to rebuild New York stronger.”

“Debris poses one of the greatest obstacles to repairing homes, rebuilding infrastructure, and helping the survivors of Hurricane Sandy,” said Jerome M. Hauer, Commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “These agencies make it possible to get necessary equipment, emergency response, and other vital services to hard hit areas blocked by millions of pounds of debris. We are thankful for the countless hours and phenomenal work provided.”

The FEMA Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations at least 75 percent of eligible debris-removal costs. The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds.

For debris removal to be eligible, the damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy, and the work must be necessary to:

Eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety;
Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public and private property when the measures are cost effective; or
Ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large.

This week the New York City Department of Transportation received $4.7 million, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation was awarded $4.1 million, Nassau County was granted $3.8 million, and the town of Babylon received $2.1 million.

Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has provided more than $334 million in Public Assistance grants in New York State.

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 Nearly $15 Million in Public Assistance Grants to Local Governments

Don’t Wait on Insurance to File For FEMA Aid or Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan

WINDSOR, Conn. — Disaster officials say residents should file their homeowner’s insurance claims first, but not wait on an insurance settlement to register for FEMA disaster assistance or complete an application for an SBA disaster loan.

“We want to make sure everyone who had damage from Sandy gets all the help they are eligible for,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Don’t think you have to wait for an insurance adjuster. File your insurance claim, then register with FEMA and get the process started.”

Officials say it is always best to document damage thoroughly with photos and/or videos in case some of the damaged items have to be disposed of during the cleanup or before an inspector can inspect the property.

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

Survivors can register online anytime day or night at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or other Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available at the close of the English message.

Registering for disaster assistance with other agencies or organizations does not register survivors for FEMA disaster assistance. Having FEMA flood insurance does not register policyholders for disaster assistance; flood insurance claims are handled separately.

The U.S. Small Business Administration 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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Don’t Wait on Insurance to File For FEMA Aid or Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan

Use Disaster Funds Wisely and for Intended Purpose

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — State and federal disaster assistance is bringing needed financial help to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damage or loss as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

But Maryland Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are urging storm survivors to use disaster funds wisely and only for their intended purpose.

“Many people have great needs and the money they receive may not cover all they would like,” said MEMA Executive Director Ken Mellette. “But if you spend money on anything other than what your FEMA letter tells you, additional assistance may not be available.”

Funds are available through grants for housing or other needs and through low-interest federal loans to replace housing or personal effects.

Housing Assistance grants must be used only for

Basic housing repairs for homeowners

Short-term rental assistance
Reimbursement of hotel/motel expenses

Other Needs Assistance grants should be used to help replace essential personal property and meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable-aid programs. Most funds are deposited electronically and a letter follows in the mail to explain how the money is to be used.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

“We want you to use the money to meet specific disaster-related needs,” Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Lapinski said.

Here are tips to help you get the most out of your personal disaster recovery payment:

Keep all of your receipts.
If you receive your grant in the form of a check, make sure to safeguard those funds and only spend the money on disaster-related expenses.
Don’t be tempted to pay household bills with the disaster recovery payment.
Don’t make purchases unrelated to needs created by the disaster.

Disaster grants are subject to an audit and recipients should keep receipts or bills for three years to demonstrate how all funds were used in meeting disaster-related needs. These grants are tax free and are not a loan. They do not have to be repaid. They are not counted as income for welfare or other federal benefit programs and they cannot be garnished.

“If you receive an SBA loan application after you apply with FEMA, be sure to complete and return it to the SBA,” Lapinski said. “If you don’t, you can disqualify yourself from any more federal assistance.”

FEMA’s housing assistance and grants for disaster-related medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to the SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Completing the loan application does not commit you to a loan, but it is an important part of the federal financial disaster assistance process.

President Obama’s major disaster declaration for Maryland made federal assistance available to affected individuals in Somerset County.

For more information about this disaster, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4091, www.mema.maryland.gov or www.sba.gov/sandy.

Original article –

Use Disaster Funds Wisely and for Intended Purpose

Several Resources Available to Help Business Owners Recover from Sandy

NEW YORK – Getting local businesses back up and running is a key part of a community’s recovery after a disaster. Several of FEMA’s federal, state, local and private sector partners have programs in place to support New York businesses after Hurricane Sandy:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has low-interest loans available for businesses and most private nonprofits for up to $2 million dollars for physical property losses. Small businesses and most private nonprofits can also apply for economic injury loans for up to

$2 million. Interested businesses can apply at any of the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, SBA Business Recovery Centers, online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or contact the SBA at 800-659-2955.

NYC Economic Development Corporation established a Hurricane Sandy Emergency Loan Fund to support NYC small businesses with their recovery and clean-up efforts. This loan program will provide $10 million in low-interest loans to businesses, ranging from

$5,000 – $25,000 for each loan. Funds can be used to replace or repair damaged assets, or to make up for working capital losses incurred due to business interruption. For additional details and information on how to apply, businesses should visit: http://www.nybdc.com/HurricaneSandySmallBusinessReliefFund.html.

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency’s Emergency Sales Tax Relief Program gives an exemption of State and County Sales Tax of 8.625 percent to small businesses in Suffolk County on purchases up to $100,000 for building materials or replacing damaged equipment. Businesses can visit: www.suffolkIDA.org or call 631-853-4802 for additional information or to fill out an application.

National Grid Hurricane Sandy Relief Program provides grants up to $250,000 to National Grid commercial, industrial or multi-family residential gas customers that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Eligible customers can use program funds for energy infrastructure repairs or replacement, rehabilitation of buildings, and costs associated with replacement of machinery or equipment necessary for the operation of the businesses. Funding consideration will be based on documented financial need and impact to the community. To determine eligibility and for additional information, customers should contact National Grid at 855-496-9359.

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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Several Resources Available to Help Business Owners Recover from Sandy

FEMA Hires Connecticut Residents to Help in Disaster Recovery

WINDSOR, Conn. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has added Connecticut residents to its staff supporting Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

Hiring local individuals is part of FEMA’s overall recovery strategy.

“Local hires bring a great deal to the table,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “They have community insight and valuable work experience. Putting local people to work is an important part of FEMA’s impact on the local economy. Our goal is for Connecticut residents to make up 10 percent of our workforce.”

Connecticut hires are working throughout FEMA’s operations, including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, Travel and Human Resources, Environmental and Historic Preservation, Logistics, Information Technology, External Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, the National Flood Insurance Program, Mitigation and the switchboard.

FEMA is still hiring in Connecticut. Interested job seekers should contact their local unemployment office or go to the Connecticut Department of Labor website www.connecticut.us.jobs. Type “FEMA” and “Windsor, CT” in the search boxes at the top of the page. A list of available local hire jobs will result.

Applicants must be fingerprinted and pass an FBI background investigation as part of the process.

Most FEMA workers are reservists — a cadre of on-call, trained employees who travel to a disaster location, complete their deployments and then return home. As reservists go home, the local hires keep recovery efforts going.

Clarigsa Echandy of East Hartford is working as a travel specialist helping reservists file expense reports. She “always wanted to work for the federal government, especially FEMA.”

“FEMA helps people when they need it most,” Echandy said. “And it’s nice to see how the reservists help each other as well the survivors out in the community. It’s like family.”

Portland, Conn., resident Sam Palfrey, who spent his career in financial service operations, is training as a Private Sector specialist. A relatively new program, Private Sector focuses on businesses, trade associations, academia and other non-governmental agencies as partners in preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

“It’s important to reach out to the business community,” Palfrey said. “One of our goals is to help business people understand what FEMA is doing and the importance of getting recovery messages out to their employees.”

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FEMA Hires Connecticut Residents to Help in Disaster Recovery

FEMA’s Partners Helping Fund Housing Repairs in NYC

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is just one part of the disaster recovery team. A variety of local, state and federal resources are available to help New Yorkers repair or rebuild their homes.

FEMA has approved $700 million in housing assistance for individuals and families. The assistance can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

To be considered for eligibility, Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York should register before the Jan. 28, 2013 deadline.

Individuals can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate

24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York has made $1 billion in Disaster Relief Funding available to 340 community based lenders to help rebuild in the states of New York and New Jersey. The funding is available to be used as immediate “gap financing.” The $1 billion CLP commitment can be used for any residential lending activity for households whose incomes are at or below 115 percent of the area median income.

The funds can be used for Public/Private infrastructure projects, such as roads, utilities and sewers. For more information, visit: www.fhlbny.com/.

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Community Development Corporation of Long Island is offering an emergency home repair loan fund that is available to assist homeowners with loans up to $5,000 for homeowners whose incomes are under 120 percent of the area median income, roughly at or below $129,000 for a family of four. For more information, visit: www.cdcli.org/.

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Governor Cuomo’s Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund.

This is a grant and does not require repayment.

The grant can provide up to an additional $10,000 for survivors who have already qualified for FEMA housing assistance and received the maximum grant of $31,900, and the FEMA award did not cover the full cost of making essential repairs.

This funding cannot duplicate assistance received from other governmental agencies or insurance.

The survivors eligible for this assistance will be referred from FEMA to the state and contacted directly.

For more information on this program, visit: http://scoem.suffolkcountyny.gov/OEM/DisasterHomeownershipRepairandRebuildingFund.aspx.

For more information about how New York State can help you, call: (855) 697-7263.

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To expand housing options for families displaced by Hurricane Sandy, HUD is allowing local public housing agencies to increase their rent payment standard up to 120 percent of the published “Fair Market Rent” (FMR), thereby giving low-income families more options in finding available housing. For families impacted by Hurricane Sandy, HUD is granting a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of FHA-insured home mortgages. For more information on HUD, visit hportal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD.

Home Affordable Modification Program

Homeowners struggling to stay in their homes may be eligible to apply for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in order to lower their monthly mortgage payments and make them more affordable.

Homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer as soon as possible to begin the HAMP evaluation process.

In order to help with the housing crunch, homeowner eligibility has been widened to include:

Homeowners who are applying for a modification on a home that is not their primary residence, but the property is currently rented or the homeowner intends to rent it.
Homeowners who previously did not qualify for HAMP because their debt-to-income ratio was 31 percent or lower.
Homeowners who previously received a HAMP trial period plan, but defaulted in their trial payments.
Homeowners who previously received a HAMP permanent modification, but defaulted in their payments, therefore losing good standing.

For more information visit: http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lower-payments/Pages/hamp.aspx

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The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 for qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

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

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FEMA’s Partners Helping Fund Housing Repairs in NYC

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