FEMA, State Officials Say Enough Disaster Aid For All Who Qualify
Release Date: August 23, 2006
Release Number: 1650-060
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Federal and State officials assure New Yorkers that there is enough disaster assistance available for all victims of the June 2006 floods who qualify, after reports indicate that individuals may not be registering for disaster assistance because they feel others need it more.
"Many times in a disaster, some people feel that others have suffered more damages than themselves and they don't want to take money away from those they think may need it more, especially those with families," said the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer Marianne C. Jackson. "We don't want anyone to forfeit whatever assistance they are entitled to. There is enough money for all who qualify."
Other reasons some may not register for assistance is because they think that accepting disaster aid will interfere with other benefits.
"Federal and State disaster grants will not affect Social Security benefits and they are not taxable," said John R. Gibb, Director of the New York State Emergency Management Office. "The registration period for this disaster is nearly over. If you suffered damages as a result of the June severe storms and flooding, we urge you to register before the September first and fifth deadlines."
Anyone who has suffered from the June 2006 disaster is urged to register with both the State of New York and FEMA as follows:
The FEMA registration deadline is Friday, September 1, 2006.
To register with FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 , 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; or register online at www.fema.gov. The FEMA Helpline is the same number as the registration line at option 3.
The registration deadline for the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program is Tuesday, September 5, 2006.
To register for assistance from New York State , call 1-888-7-NYS-AID (1-888-769-7243) or TTY: NYS Relay 711; or register online at www.labor.state.ny.us. The State lines are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Fri., and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The State's Helpline number is 1-888-329-7540. All applications for assistance must be postmarked by September 5, 2006.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-Aug-2006 08:24:45