Politics & Government
FEMA Deadline Extended Again for Sandy Victims
The FEMA registration deadline has been extended to March 29 for hurricane survivors in Sachem and the rest of New York.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, at the request of the State of New York, has approved a 30-day extension for survivors to register for federal disaster assistance.
New Deadline Date
In a release on the FEMA website on Tuesday the federal agency said, "As one of the most densely populated areas in the country, New York presents FEMA with many unique challenges. The agency - along with state and federal partners and voluntary organizations - is extending the registration period for an additional 30 days in order to best serve Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York."
The new registration deadline in New York is March 29, 2013, which is also the deadline to complete and return low-interest SBA disaster loan applications to the United States Small Business Administration.
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The extension allows survivors in the 13 New York counties designated for federal individual assistance more time to register with FEMA. The designated counties are: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
"People living in these counties who sustained losses due to Hurricane Sandy should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Applying by the deadline might help survivors avoid a funding shortfall if they later find they're underinsured or have additional damages," FEMA said in the February 26 release.
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Survivors who register might be eligible for federal grants to help cover various disaster-related expenses, including rent, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
By returning the SBA disaster loan application, homeowners might be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged primary residence.
Homeowners and renters might be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property.
Businesses and private non-profits might be eligible to borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.
How to Register with FEMA
Individuals can 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.
Survivors can also register by calling the FEMA Helpline:
- 800-621-3362 (voice, 7-1-1/Relay).
- 800-462-7585 (TTY).
The line is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.
Anyone with questions regarding the FEMA registration process, the status of their application and available disaster assistance programs is encouraged to visit a Disaster Recovery Center - like the one at the Copiague Library - or contact FEMA.
To find the nearest Disaster 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. Plus, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.
SBA Disaster Loan Application
A simple and fast way to complete the disaster loan application is online, using the SBA's electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.
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 SBA Business Recovery Centers and Disaster Loan Outreach Centers.
To locate the nearest center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339).
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 e-mail to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.
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.
"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," added FEMA in the release.
"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," the federal agency said.
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