NJ Gets More Time To Register For Sandy Disaster Aid

Governor Chris Christie has announced today that New Jerseyans impacted by Hurricane Sandy now have until January 30, 2013 to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). At the request of the state, FEMA extended the registration deadline beyond the original 60 day window due to the magnitude of the disaster.

People with storm losses in all 21 counties can register online.  They also can register by phone or 711/VRS by calling 800-621-3362 TTY800-462-7285. The toll-free phone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

“The single most important step people can take in this recovery period is to register with FEMA, if they haven’t already,” says Christie. “The process of a family receiving any type of federal disaster assistance begins with registering as a disaster survivor with FEMA and working with a coordinator to determine what sort of relief they are eligible for.”

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Small Business Administration. FEMA 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.

The Governor says, “This extension will help us ensure that anyone who has been affected by the storm gets registered and the help they need and deserve.”