Rep. Andrews Applauds Move to Grant 1st Congressional District Residents Federal Disaster Assistance

In response to my repeated requests along with colleagues from the New Jersey Congressional delegation and the State of New Jersey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it has added both Camden and Gloucester counties to the Presidential declaration for Individual Assistance following the disastrous floods from several weeks ago.  As a result, residents in these counties who suffered losses as a result of the flooding will now be able to apply for federal assistance.  I am pleased that the Administration has chosen to provide assistance to our district.  I invite those who have questions about how to apply to contact my office in Haddon Heights, and we will assist you with the process.

To date the following counties have been added to the Presidential Declaration.

ON DECLARATION FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties.

ON DECLARATION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Hudson, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union.

Individual Assistance:
Disaster aid to individuals generally falls into the following categories:

• Disaster Housing may be available for up to 18 months, using local resources, for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
• Disaster Grants, are available to help meet other serious disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, and transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
• Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available after a disaster for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury.
• Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and Veteran's benefits. Other state or local help may also be available.
• Assistance Process -- After the application is taken, the damaged property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications require more information and approval may take several weeks after application. The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the President's major disaster declaration.
• Public Assistance – Public Assistance is aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs of rebuilding a community's damaged infrastructure. Generally, public assistance programs pay for 75 per cent of the approved project costs. Public Assistance may include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools.

Return to the Washington Updates Page