Individuals can register at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 1-800-621-3362.
[Post Sandy Recovery]
Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $392 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.
FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Nov. 14:
· More than 192,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $392 million has been approved. 100,000 have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov.
· 30 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open in nine of the designated counties. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 21,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
· 1,213 inspectors in the field have completed 57,196 home inspections.
· 1,083 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door to door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
· 46 Points of Distribution (PODs) are open and providing supplies to the affected residents.
· 8 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) and 1 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) team from the Department of Health and Human Services are deployed in New York.
· More than 2.4 million liters of water, 1.3 million meals and more than 210 thousand blankets and have been provided by FEMA to the New York National Guard for distribution to survivors.
· Four more New York counties have been designated for disaster aid under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Grant Program. Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster counties are now eligible for federal reimbursement for infrastructure repair costs and emergency expenses incurred before, during and immediately after Hurricane Sandy. Eligible local governments, tribal organizations and some private nonprofit organizations can apply for reimbursements on a cost-share basis for the repair or replacement of damaged public buildings and infrastructure and emergency expenses such as debris removal, search and rescue, increased security and overtime pay for employees.
There are now 13 New York counties designated for both individual and public assistance, including: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
· The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has staff members at 12 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
· The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has provided 54 megawatts of electricity and 74 commercial grade generators. These large capacity generators are the size of a semi-tractor trailer and are currently powering 36 buildings for the New York City Housing Authority and 8 buildings at 19 locations for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development.
· The U.S. Department of Labor has made nearly $28 million available to New York through a National Emergency Grant to help restore public lands and infrastructure while providing temporary jobs for those in need of employment.
· U.S. Department of Labor has more than 50 Occupational Safety and Health Administration personnel on the ground in New York providing assistance, education and technical support to make sure workers and businesses are aware of hazards involved in clean-up efforts.
Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.
