More Than $21 Million Approved for NJ Residents
One Month Remains To Register
Release Date: May 25, 2007
Release Number: 1694-035
» More Information on New Jersey Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Individuals and businesses affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred in April, have 30 days remaining to apply for state and federal disaster assistance before the June 25 deadline.
More than 13,600 residents in the designated counties of Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union have applied for assistance and more than $21 million in grants and low-interest loans have been approved.
The following is an update of recovery activities from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) as of close of business Thursday, May 24.
- 13,622 individuals (homeowners and renters) from the designated counties have applied for assistance.
- $13.56 million in federal grants have been approved to date for applicants through FEMA's Individuals and Household Program. This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing assistance; repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and replacement grants for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.
- $8.3 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans have been approved.
- More than 12,000 inspections have been completed.
- 3,493 people have visited one of 13 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that were opened in New Jersey.
- 12,526 disaster loan applications have been issued by the SBA, including 11,128 for homeowners and renters and 1,392 for businesses. SBA officials encourage anyone who has received an application from the SBA to submit it in as soon as possible in order to avoid delaying other forms of possible assistance.
Assistance Still Just a Toll-Free Call Away
Federal and state officials urge anyone who suffered damages or loss from the severe storms and flooding that occurred April 14-20 to apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The lines are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until further notice. Individuals also may register at www.fema.gov . The deadline to apply for assistance is June 25.
Four Disaster Recovery Centers Available
Four Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Bound Brook, Hackensack, Fairfield and Jersey City are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice. They will be closed on Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day.
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Centers Available
There are five SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) in Lumberton, Paterson, Pennsauken, Piscataway and Clayton where SBA representatives are available to answer questions and help individuals complete their low-interest loan applications. The DLOCs are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Paterson whose hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All SBA loan assistance centers will close for the Memorial Day holiday, Monday, May 28.
SBA offers disaster loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster-damaged primary residences. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to replace damaged personal property such as furniture and clothing. Loans to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations up to $1.5 million are available to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, supplies and inventory. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available to small businesses unable to pay bills or meet operating expenses because of the disaster.
FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA and NJOEM work together to coordinate the federal and state governments' roles 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: Friday, 25-May-2007 14:36:34