New Yorkers Assisted By FEMA in the Past May Not Be Aware They Have Flood Insurance 

Release Date: June 16, 2007
Release Number: 1692-061

» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New Yorkers recovering from the April nor'easter might be eligible for assistance through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - issued insurance policy and not be aware of it.

FEMA's Group Flood Insurance Program (GFIP) provides flood insurance to applicants who receive a grant for financial assistance for personal property damage due to flooding.

Many who had damage to personal property from New York flooding in 2005 and 2006, and received a FEMA grant under the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for lost personal property, may have received a GFIP insurance policy. The premium is prepaid for three years. Homeowners who received a FEMA grant for just home repairs were required to purchase flood insurance.

To find out if they have insurance coverage for damage caused by the April nor'easter, FEMA urges those who had flood losses in 2005 and 2006 and who may have been enrolled in the GFIP to call the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 1-800-427-4661.

Those calling about NFIP coverage should choose option one once connected to the program's toll-free line, and then press the number one again for the category of questions about flood insurance. When connected with an operator, provide the address of the damaged structure. The GFIP flood insurance policy is held on the property that was damaged, not on the occupant/applicant who received the disaster assistance. The policy must be maintained on the structure. A copy of the policy is not required to get information about whether the property in question is covered under the GFIP.

Homeowners, renters, and business owners in seven New York counties were made eligible for FEMA's Individual Assistance programs on April 24 when President Bush signed a major disaster declaration at the request of Governor Eliot Spitzer. Those counties are Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond (Borough of Staten Island), Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester.

Assistance is available to all who qualify, as long as they register by the June 25, 2007 deadline. Those who suffered loss or damage should register even if they are insured, or are waiting for a response from their insurance agent.

Anyone affected by the disaster should register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY), 1-800-462-7585. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Register anytime online at www.fema.gov. Online, be sure to use the name as it appears on the Social Security card.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 18-Jun-2007 08:28:40