Disaster Recovery Center Hours Change Saturday

TRENTON, N.J. — Saturday hours for New Jersey disaster recovery centers will change to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 2. Monday through Friday the hours will remain 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Survivors can locate their closest center online at FEMA.gov/DRC.

Help and information are always available online or by phone. Survivors can apply for disaster assistance or check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using a smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or 711/VRS.

Survivors can ask questions about their Small Business Administration disaster home loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ. 

There have been more than 67,000 survivor visits to New Jersey centers since opening in November.

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

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Disaster Recovery Center Hours Change Saturday

I Started By Calling FEMA, Why Did I End Up With The SBA

TRENTON, N.J. — Some Hurricane Sandy survivors who ask for disaster assistance wonder why they receive applications for loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Receiving an SBA loan application is part of the process that begins when survivors register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help after a disaster.

Applications of those registering with FEMA are evaluated, based on the information they supply, for available disaster assistance. This includes money for essential repairs or replacement of homes and personal property, such as automobiles, lost as a result of the disaster.

Those found to be eligible for SBA’s low-interest, long-term loans are sent applications. The applications for SBA loans must be returned by Jan. 30, 2013.

Filling out and returning the SBA documents does not obligate the survivor to accept a loan, if offered. But completing the application is a necessary step for those needing money for more than housing assistance.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can provide grants to repair or replace personal property items such as clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

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

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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I Started By Calling FEMA, Why Did I End Up With The SBA

FEMA Housing Assistance Is Based On Damage To Essential Living Areas

TRENTON, N.J. — Some households with property damage received a letter from FEMA that said “insufficient damage.” The FEMA housing inspector reported that the essential living areas in the home were safe, sanitary and functional. People who disagree can ask for a re-inspection.

FEMA can only provide rent or repair money when there is damage to the living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms used by occupants of the home.

FEMA will reconsider a request for housing assistance, and there are other options:

  • Request a re-inspection. Call the FEMA helpline by phone or 711/VRS at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585.
  • Complete and return your SBA low-interest disaster loan application if you received one. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides disaster loans for individuals. Loan funds may be available for damage to all living areas.
  • Get volunteer help. Dozens of private nonprofit groups are helping in New Jersey. Some  groups provide volunteers to help out with minor repairs to homes. For more information call 2-1-1 or visit NJ211.org online.
  • File an appeal. Any decision by FEMA can be appealed. Filing an appeal relating to habitability requires verifiable documentation to show the disaster caused damage that made the housing uninhabitable. Appeal letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the decision letter.

For information on filing an appeal, survivors should refer to the “Help After Disaster” guide, which is mailed to everyone who registers with FEMA. The guide also is available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

All applicants will receive a letter from FEMA. If you do not understand it, visit a disaster recovery center or call the FEMA helpline.

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

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

 

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FEMA Housing Assistance Is Based On Damage To Essential Living Areas

Changed Your Mind About Staying In Your Storm Damaged Home? Tell FEMA Now

TRENTON, N.J. – Nearly six weeks after Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, survivors have a chance to reconsider a decision they made in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Thousands of New Jersey survivors answered “will not relocate” when FEMA housing inspectors asked what they planned to do while repairs are being made on their homes or apartments. That response made them ineligible for FEMA temporary housing assistance.

Some who would like FEMA help today may find the window still open.

Here’s what to do:

  • If it has been less than 30 days since you received a FEMA determination letter, call 800-621-3362 and tell FEMA that your housing situation has changed and that you’d like temporary housing assistance.
  • However, if it has been more than 30 days since you received a FEMA determination letter, you will need to reply in a letter to FEMA stating that you want to change your earlier response, explain how your circumstances have changed and that you’d like FEMA temporary housing assistance.

Survivors can follow up on previous applications online at 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. Help is also available at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, which can be found at  www.fema.gov/DRCloc.                                                      

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

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Changed Your Mind About Staying In Your Storm Damaged Home? Tell FEMA Now