Two Weeks Remain To Register For FEMA / New York State Individual And Family Grant Assistance Program 

Those Seeking WTC Aid Should Call by November 30; Expanded Registration Hours in Effect

Release Date: November 18, 2002
Release Number: 1391-170

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New York, NY -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of New York are advising New Yorkers that two weeks remain to register for disaster assistance through the Individual and Family Grant (IFG) program. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002, is the last day to register for the IFG program, which is designed to help residents from federally declared disaster areas cover the costs of disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

Recovery officials also announced that registration phone lines and the Applicant Assistance Center in lower Manhattan will be closed Nov. 28, 2002, in observance of Thanksgiving.

Under IFG guidelines for the World Trade Center disaster, residents of the five boroughs of New York City may be eligible for assistance for home repairs, replacement of personal property, or reimbursement for air quality equipment-i.e. air purifiers, air filters, vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, and repair or replacement of air conditioners. The program is 75 percent funded by FEMA and 25 percent funded by the state of New York, with the state's Department of Labor managing the program.

"After 15 months of providing assistance with essential disaster needs for thousands of New Yorkers, the IFG program will be concluding the application period on Nov. 30," said Federal Recovery Officer Brad Gair. "For those who need help, two weeks remain in which to apply. The easiest and quickest way is to call 800-462-9029 toll-free and register on the phone."

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY HOURS: Teleregistration lines will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The teleregistration call center will be open on the Friday following Thanksgiving, Nov. 29 and on Saturday, Nov. 30 for the final day of registration.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 18 and continuing through Saturday, Nov. 30, special extended hours will be in effect for the FEMA teleregistration line: Monday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., with lines remaining open until 12 midnight on Nov. 30, the final day of registration for the IFG program. Interpreter services are available to accommodate the needs of all language groups in the New York metropolitan area. Hearing or speech-impaired individuals may call the TTY registration number at 1-800-462-7585.

Those seeking IFG assistance may also come in person to the FEMA Applicant Assistance Center, located at 141 Worth St.-formerly the DMV Building-between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. IFG applicants should understand, however, that in-person registration will not take place that day; rather, the applicant will be scheduled for a face-to-face application interview at a later date. As a result, recovery officials stress that there is no reason to stand in line early in the morning at the Center in the hope of "beating the crowd."

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY HOURS: The FEMA Applicant Assistance Center on Worth St. will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 in observance of Thanksgiving. The Center will be open regular hours on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30, the final day of registration for the IFG program.

Last Modified: Friday, 03-Oct-2003 15:43:04