Sandy Recovery Help From The Fed Continues

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners continue an aggressive power restoration effort. President Barack Obama has approved an extension to the 100 percent cost share for emergency work performed by state and local governments through November 14, 2012.

The funding was set to last ten days, starting October 31. It applies to work executed to restore emergency power and emergency public transportation assistance, including direct federal assistance for New Jersey, New York and Connecticut counties designated for FEMA Public Assistance. Other forms of Category B (emergency work) public assistance remain at a 75 percent cost share.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says, "More than $455 million has already been approved for individuals to assist with housing and other disaster-related needs. Impacted residents and business owners in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York should apply for assistance today."

The first step to receive housing and other assistance is by registering for disaster assistance. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties in New Jersey can apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

So far, more than 369,000 people in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut have registered for assistance, and more than $455 million has been approved in FEMA housing and other needs assistance. Currently, a total of 55 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.  Of that amount, 22 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in New Jersey.

To find a disaster recovery center location, check out the disaster recovery center locator here or by mobile phone at m.fema.gov.  You may also text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA).