FEMA Rental Assistance May be Used for Security Deposits

NEW YORK – As the Jan. 28, 2013 deadline to register for FEMA assistance approaches in New York, recovery officials want to make sure Hurricane Sandy survivors know that they may be able to use Temporary Rental Assistance funds to help pay for a security deposit.

If a landlord requires a security deposit, you can use up to one month of FEMA rent money to cover it and you will not have to return it at the end of the lease. If you already paid a security deposit with your own money, FEMA will not reimburse it. However, if you need more help with rent, you can show the security deposit receipt to support your request for additional assistance.

To receive additional temporary rental assistance, you must complete the Continuing Need form with a copy of the lease and all receipts for rent and security deposits, and mail it to the address printed on the form. If you don’t have the form, contact FEMA’s toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Families in hotel or motel rooms who are preparing to move into an apartment may use FEMA rent money for security deposits and rent. This money may not be used to pay for telephone or television service or utilities.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until midnight EST on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Individuals also can find a disaster recovery center – and register with FEMA – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app. They may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.

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 Rental Assistance May be Used for Security Deposits

Less Than One Month To Ask For FEMA Help

CLINTON, Miss. – Disaster survivors in Mississippi counties affected by Hurricane Isaac have until October 31 to request federal disaster assistance.

Homeowners and renters may request help with the following:

  • Temporary housing.
  • Home repairs.
  • Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
  • Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Applicants can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by mobile device at m.fema.gov or through the FEMA toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

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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.

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 public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and 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.

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Less Than One Month To Ask For FEMA Help