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Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Lowe’s This Weekend

WINDSOR, Conn. – An outreach team from FEMA will be at the Lowe’s home improvement store in Milford this weekend to explain techniques that may reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from future flooding.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer “how-to” information for retrofitting buildings and elevating utilities. They will also provide clean-up tips to help prevent mold and mildew.

The FEMA team will be at the Lowe’s store at 311 Old Gate Lane in Milford from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov. 18.

Information will include instructions on how to:

Relocate circuit breaker panels, outlets and switches above potential floodwaters
Move washer and dryer hookups to a higher floor
Elevate furnaces and water heaters
Prevent sewer backups with a backflow valve

More information on ways to protect your home from future disasters is available at www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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

Source:

Learn Rebuilding Techniques at Lowe’s This Weekend

Stay in Touch with FEMA and Make Sure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date

WINDSOR, Conn. – Hurricane Sandy survivors who have already registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are urged to keep in touch with the agency, especially if they have been displaced by the disaster.

Survivors who have registered for assistance should keep their contact information current to ensure timely delivery of important assistance updates.

Keeping one’s contact information current with FEMA will also help connect survivors with FEMA’s home inspectors. Unnecessary delays may occur if an inspector is unable to reach an applicant by phone to schedule an appointment. Applicants are also urged to keep their appointments with home inspectors in order to avoid delays.

Applicants who need to update their contact information or who have questions regarding their application can visit a Disaster Recovery Center for in-person help or call the toll-free FEMA helpline, 1-800-621-3362, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help is available in most languages.

Storm survivors who have not registered yet are urged to do so immediately online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device, tablet or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.”

By calling the helpline or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, survivors can:

Update their file with a change of address or new phone number.
Ask questions about disaster assistance.
Track the progress of their FEMA application.
Get information about the inspection process.
Learn about the steps to appeal a FEMA decision.

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Stay in Touch with FEMA and Make Sure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date

St. Tammany Parish Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Loan Center on Monday

BATON ROUGE, La. — To continue serving Louisianians affected by Hurricane Isaac, the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Slidell is transitioning Monday, Nov. 19, to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC).

SBA representatives at the DLOC will answer questions, explain the application process and help survivors apply for low-interest disaster loans.

The center is located at:

2056 2^nd St.

Slidell, LA 70458

DLOC hours are: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a DLOC. They may register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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St. Tammany Parish Disaster Recovery Center Transitions to SBA Loan Center on Monday

Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

NEW YORK — Federal Emergency Management Agency grants are not the only disaster assistance option for Hurricane Sandy survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s low-interest disaster loan program is another important source of assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses.

While some people prefer to avoid borrowing money to cover disaster-related expenses, additional unforeseen costs can arise down the road, leaving them without enough money to cover all expenses.

Additional financial gaps that may occur include:

Insurance not covering all repair or rebuilding costs;
Discovering disaster-related damage costs are more than the initial estimate; and
Finding additional damages.

Survivors who receive low-interest disaster loan applications from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the applications even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing this important step in the process, they may become eligible for other forms of assistance, including additional grants from FEMA for homeowners and renters.

Homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes, including people who own rental property, in designated counties can apply for low-interest disaster loans to pay for disaster-related damages. Applicants may apply for loans with SBA before insurance is settled.

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. Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up

to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as four percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as three percent.

Disaster loans with rates as low as 1.688 percent are available for homeowners and renters in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, which have been designated for FEMA individual assistance. Loan terms may be up to 30 years to make payments affordable.

Applicants may 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.

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 12 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.” Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955
(TTY 800-877-8339.)

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Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

Equipos de Relaciones de la Comunidad de FEMA Están Sirviendo en el Área de Milford

WINDSOR, Conn. – La asistencia por desastre, para personas que experimentaron daños o perdidas por el paso del Huracán Sandy, comienza con el primer paso- registrándose con la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA por sus siglas en inglés) El registro abre el camino a subvenciones de FEMA, asistencia por desempleo a causa del desastre, prestamos a bajo interés de la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA por sus siglas en inglés), y otras ayudas estatales y federales, para los solicitantes elegibles.

Especialistas de Relaciones de la Comunidad están en el área de Milford esta semana para explicar los programas disponibles y asistir a las personas con el proceso de registración de ser necesario.

“No importa si usted tiene seguro, porque a veces, la asistencia por desastre podría estar disponible para ayudar con los daños que el seguro no cubre,” dijo: el Oficial Coordinador Federal, Albert Lewis. “La registración es fácil, hable con los especialistas de recuperación, ellos están dispuestos a ayudarle en el proceso.”

Las personas con pérdidas por la tormenta que todavía tienen que registrarse con FEMA, lo pueden hacer en cualquier momento en línea en: www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol o con un teléfono inteligente o dispositivo habilitado para la red en: m.fema.gov/esp. Los sobrevivientes también pueden registrarse por teléfono a cualquier hora del día o la noche llamando a FEMA al: 800-621-3362. Las personas que utilizan: TTY pueden llamar 800-462-7585. Operadores plurilingües están disponibles.

Asistencia para recuperación por desastre está disponible sin distinción de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, destreza en inglés, o estatus económico. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido discriminado, llame a FEMA al número gratuito 800-621-FEMA (3362). Para TTY llame 800-462-7585.

La Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA por sus siglas en inglés) es la fuente principal de dinero del gobierno federal para la reconstrucción a largo plazo de propiedad privada dañada por desastres. SBA ayuda a propietarios de viviendas, arrendatarios, negocios de todos los tamaños, y organizaciones sin fines de lucro a financiar reparaciones o esfuerzos de reconstrucción y cubre el costo de remplazar propiedad personal perdida o dañada por el desastre. Estos préstamos por desastre cubren perdidas que no han sido completamente cubiertas por los seguros u otras indemnizaciones y no duplican beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a nuestros ciudadanos y personal de primera respuesta para garantizar que como nación trabajemos juntos para construir, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos para, proteger contra, responder a, recuperarnos de y mitigar todos los peligros.

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Equipos de Relaciones de la Comunidad de FEMA Están Sirviendo en el Área de Milford

FEMA Community Relations Teams Serving Milford Area

WINDSOR, Conn. – Disaster assistance for people who experienced damage or loss from Hurricane Sandy begins with the first step – registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Registration opens the way to FEMA grants, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other state and federal aid for eligible applicants.

Community Relations specialists are in the Milford area this week to explain available programs and assist people with the registration process if needed.

“It doesn’t matter if you have insurance because sometimes disaster assistance may be available to help with damages that insurance won’t cover,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Registration is easy. Talk to the recovery specialists who are ready to help you through the process.”

People with storm losses who still need to register with FEMA can do so anytime online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Survivors can also register by phone anytime day or night by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. People who use TTY can call 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available.

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FEMA Community Relations Teams Serving Milford Area

Beware of Scams After Hurricane Sandy

TRENTON, N.J. — Disaster recovery officials caution New Jersey residents to be on the alert for scam artists using old and new tricks to obtain vital information or take advantage of storm-weary survivors.

Be aware of the following scams used by con artists after a disaster:

Identity Theft

People may pretend to be employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other government agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or public utilities. By going door-to-door to storm-damaged homes, or by phone or on the internet, con artists may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers.

Remember:

A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone’s affiliation with these agencies. All authorized FEMA or SBA personnel display a laminated photo identification card, which they are required to wear at all times;

FEMA will request personal information only when the applicant first contacts FEMA. Survivors of Hurricane Sandy can register with FEMA in any of the following ways:

Online any time at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov
By phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
By 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) at 800-621-3361 or (TTY) 800-462-758.

On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative would ask only for the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number.

False Payment or Bribe

Imposters may ask for some form of service payment, or bribe – something no FEMA, SBA or federal agency employee should ever do. FEMA-contracted housing inspectors assess damage but do not determine cost estimates. FEMA does not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

Con artists may pose as insurance specialists or expeditors, claiming they can convince FEMA to increase home repair damage aid or the insurer to pay a larger settlement. The scammers ask the applicant or policyholder to sign a contract giving them a percentage of the “increased” payment. The essence of the con is to take a percentage of the damage grant or policy settlement that would be given anyway. FEMA always deals directly with each applicant and is always willing to consider an appeal by sending a new inspector to review damaged property or claimed losses.

Home Repair Scams

Unregistered home improvement contractors may take the disaster survivor’s money and disappear, leaving unfinished work and unsafe homes. Before hiring a contractor, the survivor should check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to make sure the contractor is registered, as well as ask for a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance and verify the policy is valid. All contracts should be in writing, and reviewed before being signed. Full payment should not be made until the work is completed.

The local police department should be notified of suspected fraud.

Price Gouging

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

Charity Scams

Before donating, people should investigate to be sure the organization asking for donations is registered to solicit in New Jersey and ask how the money will be used.

For other questions, New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Consumer Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or by calling 800-242-5846.

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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Beware of Scams After Hurricane Sandy

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.

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

Jefferson Parish Disaster Recovery Center in Metairie Transitions to SBA Loan Center on Monday

BATON ROUGE, La. — To continue serving Louisianians affected by Hurricane Isaac, the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Metairie is transitioning Monday, Nov. 19, to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC).

SBA representatives at the DLOC will answer questions, explain the application process and help survivors apply for low-interest disaster loans. FEMA Individual Assistance specialists will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The center is located at:

East Regional Library

4747 W. Napoleon Ave.

Metairie, LA 70001

DLOC hours are: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

Originally posted here:

Jefferson Parish Disaster Recovery Center in Metairie Transitions to SBA Loan Center on Monday

Orleans Parish Disaster Recovery Center in New Orleans Transitions to SBA Loan Center on Monday

BATON ROUGE, La. — To continue serving Louisianians affected by Hurricane Isaac, the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in New Orleans is transitioning Monday, Nov. 19, to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC).

SBA representatives at the DLOC will answer questions, explain the application process and help survivors apply for low-interest disaster loans.

The center is located at:

East NOLA Branch Library

5641 Read Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70127

DLOC hours are: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Friday and Sunday.

The center is closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

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Orleans Parish Disaster Recovery Center in New Orleans Transitions to SBA Loan Center on Monday

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