Greene County Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy Response, Rebuilding Costs

14 New York counties now eligible for public infrastructure repair, emergency work and cleanup reimbursement

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that Greene County is now eligible for disaster aid under the FEMA Public Assistance program.

The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments, tribal organizations and certain private nonprofit entities at least 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds.

In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

“I am pleased to announce that Greene County has been added to the disaster declaration,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “As the recovery continues, FEMA is working with our state and local partners to rebuild New York. We have been here since the beginning and will stay here until our work is done.”

With the addition of Greene County, there are now 14 New York counties designated for Public Assistance  under President Obama’s federal disaster declaration for New York, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and Greene.

In the seven weeks since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has awarded more than

$318 million to local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations.

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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Greene County Designated for FEMA Public Assistance for Sandy Response, Rebuilding Costs

Manhattan Disaster Recovery Center Opens Saturday

NEW YORK – The state of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will open a new Disaster Recovery Center in Manhattan at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, to provide

one-on-one, face-to-face help for Hurricane Sandy survivors. 

The center will be located at Southbridge Towers, Store No. 10, 66 Frankfort St., New York,

NY 10038. It will be convenient not only for Manhattan residents, but also for storm survivors who live in other boroughs or counties and work in Manhattan.
 

Normal operational hours for the Disaster Recovery Center are:

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday (Dec. 23 only)
 

Holiday hours for the center are:

8 a.m. to noon on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31)
 

The center will not open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Individuals may visit the Manhattan center to obtain useful FEMA information and apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Seven weeks after Hurricane Sandy struck, more than 20 Disaster Recovery Centers remain open throughout New York. They have hosted about 105,000 survivors of the devastating storm. 

To find the nearest recovery center, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or 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. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until 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.

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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Manhattan Disaster Recovery Center Opens Saturday

FEMA May be Able to Help Some Nonprofits with Public Assistance Disaster Grants

NEW YORK – Nonprofit organizations that suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance (PA) funding to help them get back to the business of helping others.

“We encourage eligible nonprofit organizations to apply,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “FEMA is committed to assisting qualifying nonprofits as they recover from Hurricane Sandy.”

Private non-profit agencies that provide what are defined as critical services to the community may file a Request for Public Assistance from FEMA for reimbursement of costs incurred for emergency work performed as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Facilities that provide critical services include:

  • Hospitals and other medical-treatment facilities;
  • Fire, police and other emergency services;
  • Power, water and sewer utilities; and
  • Educational institutions.

Private nonprofits that provide what are defined as essential services to the community may also be eligible for PA to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. However, these private non-profits must first apply to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest loan.
Facilities that provide essential services include: 

  • Libraries, museums and zoos;
  • Community centers;
  • Disability advocacy and service providers;
  • Homeless shelters and rehabilitation facilities; and
  • Senior citizen centers and day-care centers.

FEMA reimburses no less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency protective measures and permanent restoration costs, including debris removal and infrastructure repair or replacement. FEMA specialists are available to help nonprofits through the application process.

To be eligible for PA, a private nonprofit organization must have a ruling letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or provide other, satisfactory, evidence from the state of New York that it is a nonprofit organization doing business under state law.

The deadline for requests for Public Assistance, which was due to expire, has been extended. 

The new deadlines are:

  • Jan. 28, 2013: for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk and Queens counties;
  • Feb. 1, 2013: for Rockland and Westchester counties; and
  • Feb. 11, 2013: for Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster counties.

Public Assistance is a program administered by New York State and funded by FEMA.

Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about FEMA Public Assistance should visit: www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.

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 May be Able to Help Some Nonprofits with Public Assistance Disaster Grants

NYU Langone Medical Center Approved for $35.5 Million FEMA Grant

NEW YORK – New York University’s Langone Medical Center in Manhattan has been approved for two FEMA grants totaling $35.5 million to defray costs associated with Hurricane Sandy. These FEMA grants are in addition to an award of $114 million for the facility that was approved earlier in December for emergency repairs, patient evacuations and other disaster-related expenditures. This brings the total FEMA has awarded to the institution to $149.5 million.

The grants are for $9.2 million and nearly $25.9 million. The first represents 75 percent of the expected costs associated with removal and disposal of wastewater from seven of the center’s buildings along with cleanup of the fuel oil that leaked throughout the flooded area. It will additionally cover the cost of removing damaged equipment from the Smilow Research Center.

The second award covers 75 percent of the estimated outlays for relocating and replacing critical equipment like MRI and CAT scanners, setup of a temporary emergency room, rental of premises for classrooms and a kitchen, mobile data centers and relocating medical-research laboratories to newly leased facilities in the East River Science Park.

The funds are being provided under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which defrays disaster costs incurred by certain nonprofit organizations. The NYU Medical Center is a private, nonsectarian, nonprofit healthcare and research entity at First Avenue and 34th Street.

Under FEMA’s authorizing legislation, known as the Stafford Act, private nonprofits can be eligible for federal disaster-relief funds if they provide critical services of a governmental nature.

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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NYU Langone Medical Center Approved for $35.5 Million FEMA Grant

Change Announced for Staten Island Disaster Recovery Center

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in Staten Island have until 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, to visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Borough Hall.

The center is at 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301. It has been open since Nov. 10 and has provided face-to-face information and help to more than 650 hurricane survivors since then. The center will be open until 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.     

The state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows, a center may change its hours to reflect the fact that most information needs of storm survivors in the area are being met.    

Other Disaster Recovery Centers in Staten Island are located at:

Miller Field
600 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun

Kia in Staten Island
1976 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat

Additional options for hurricane survivors include: 

Individuals can register for help 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 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.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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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Change Announced for Staten Island Disaster Recovery Center

New Disaster Recovery Center Open in Rockland County

NEW YORK – The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have a new Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland County to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

The center’s location and hours are:

River View Park
Beach Road (Rt. 110) and E. Main St. (Rt.108)
Stony Point, NY 10980
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sun., Dec. 9

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get face-to-face help as quickly as possible.

In addition to the new site in Rockland County, about 30 other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open throughout New York to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who sustained damage in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers. 

To find the one nearest you, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

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.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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 Disaster Recovery Center Open in Rockland County

Register With FEMA While Waiting for an Insurance Settlement

NEW YORK – Disaster assistance may cover damages that insurance doesn’t. That is why individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy are urged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to apply for assistance even if they have insurance.

Apply for FEMA assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by tablet or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Register by phone by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing impairment and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
 
Keep in mind that you need to file your insurance claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. Failure to file a claim may affect a policyholder’s eligibility for disaster assistance.

After filing a claim, if any of the following situations occur, FEMA may be able to provide some assistance:

Your insurance settlement is delayed.

  • “Delayed” means a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed the claim.
  • If a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed, you will need to mail or fax a letter to FEMA explaining the circumstance. Mail or fax your letter to:
  • FEMA IHP
    National Processing Service Center
    PO Box 10055
    Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Fax: 1-800-827-8112

  • You should include documentation from the insurance company proving that you filed the claim.
  • If you filed your claim over the telephone, you should include the claim number, date when you applied, and the estimated time of how long it will take to receive your settlement.
  • If you receive FEMA assistance and you later find that your insurance will cover what your FEMA assistance was for, then you must return that money to FEMA because it is considered a duplicate benefit.

You have exhausted the Additional Living Expenses (ALE) provided by your insurance company.

  • If you have received the maximum settlement from your insurance for Additional Living Expenses and still need help with your disaster-related temporary housing need, mail or fax a letter to FEMA at the above address indicating why you continue to have a temporary housing need.
  • You will also need to provide documentation to prove use of ALE from insurance, and a permanent housing plan.

You have up to 12 months from the date of registration with FEMA to submit insurance information for review.

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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Register With FEMA While Waiting for an Insurance Settlement

SBA Loans Help Homeowners and Renters, Not Just Business

NEW YORK — Don’t let the word “business” in the name U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) fool you. If you are a homeowner or renter, the SBA is a primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery.

The SBA’s low-interest disaster loans of up to $200,000 can help qualified homeowners repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, renters and homeowners may get up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. In both cases, these SBA loans are only for damages not covered by your insurance.

After you register for federal assistance, you may receive a letter in the mail with an SBA return address. Open it and complete the forms inside. It’s a critical step in the recovery process. Whether or not you want a low-interest loan, if you do not return your SBA application, you may miss out on other assistance from FEMA.

You must return the SBA application to be considered for FEMA grants that cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. You do not need to repay these grants.

You do not need to return the application to be considered for eligibility for temporary housing assistance, and grants for public transportation, medical, dental or burial expenses.

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 18 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 have a speech disability or hearing loss and 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/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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SBA Loans Help Homeowners and Renters, Not Just Business

FEMA Rebuilding Experts Will Offer Free Advice at Home Depots

NEW YORK – People whose property was damaged or destroyed in Hurricane Sandy and are ready to start rebuilding can get advice from experts. Specialists who are knowledgeable in all facets of cleanup and building safer and smarter to avoid future losses will be dispensing guidance free of charge, compliments of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA experts will staff tables at Home Depot stores in Nassau County at 86 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho; in Suffolk County at 202 Airport Plaza Blvd, Farmingdale; in Kings County at 5700 Avenue U, Brooklyn; in Queens County at 75-09 Woodhaven Blvd, Glendale; and in Bronx County at 1806 East Gun Hill Road, the Bronx.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 8, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.

Advice and direction on flood cleanup, flood-insurance matters, and repair and rebuilding will be available to all, not just to customers who are registered with FEMA.

These “mitigation” experts will be able to talk about elevating electrical services and appliances; installing sewer back-flow valves; removing and replacing drywall and insulation; channeling water away from foundations; and repairing with water-resistant materials.

For every dollar spent on mitigation, FEMA officials say, nearly four times as much is saved when another disaster like Sandy hits.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.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 Rebuilding Experts Will Offer Free Advice at Home Depots

Changes Announced for Disaster Recovery Centers in Rockland

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in Rockland County have until 6 p.m. Saturday,  Dec. 1, to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Village Hall.

The center is at 478 Piermont Ave., Piermont, NY 10968, and has been helping storm survivors since Nov. 26.  

Another DRC in Rockland County is scheduled to remain open through Friday, Dec. 7, providing one-on-one, face-to-face assistance to those affected by the hurricane. It is located in Provident Bank Park, 1 Provident Bank Park Drive, Pomona, NY 10970. Hours will change on Monday, Dec. 3, to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
The State of New York and Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows at a certain time, a center may change its hours or come under consideration for possible closure.   

In addition to the sites in Rockland County, Hurricane Sandy survivors can visit any of more than 30 other DRCs throughout New York.

Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get help as quickly as possible. More centers may become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

To find the center nearest you, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Other help is available from roughly 1,000 FEMA community relations personnel who are blanketing damaged neighborhoods door to door, delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents to register for assistance when needed. These personnel can help refer survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

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. Individuals may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by Smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. 

If you have a speech disability or hearing impairment and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

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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Changes Announced for Disaster Recovery Centers in Rockland

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