It took 15 tries for New Jersey to get Sandy grant extended

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A new federal audit shows New Jersey had to submit an application to extend one post-Superstorm Sandy aid program 15 times before it was approved.

The report issued Monday on the Employment and Training Administration's process calls for some changes to make it easier for applicants.

New Jersey Deputy Labor Commissioner Aaron Fichtner says the audit shows how New Jersey worked through a difficult process to help residents.

New Jersey was approved for $15 million in November 2012, just days after Sandy devastated the state. The money was used to hire unemployed residents to do cleanup work.

It was eventually extended until the end of 2014 and $19.2 million,

The state says it provided work for more than 1,000 people.

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