Federal/State Disaster Programs Continue to Assist Individuals, Families and Businesses Six Months After 9/11
Release Date: March 4, 2002
Release Number: 1391-66
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New York, NY -- Six months after the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work closely with state and local government in the ongoing recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site.
Federal assistance has reached over $1.23 billion to date, which includes FEMA's Individual and Public Assistance programs and loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The funds provided to date reflect the initial focus on immediate rescue and short-term recovery efforts, with additional funds being released as long-term recovery projects are undertaken.
"While this $1.23 billion represents significant federal funding, it is only the beginning of the federal assistance that will be provided to help the city and state of New York recover from the September 11 attack," said FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh. "President Bush instructed me in our very first conversation on September 11 to do whatever it takes to help those affected by the terrorist attacks, and FEMA remains fully committed that those instructions will be carried out."
FEMA, SBA and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) have distributed more than $381 million in assistance to households and businesses in the New York area. More than 63,000 applications have been taken through FEMA's teleregistration line, which represents the first step for individuals, families and businesses seeking federal and state assistance.
"These assistance programs provide a multi-faceted approach to helping the many victims of the senseless World Trade Center attack, whether they require crisis counseling, special unemployment compensation, or help with their rent or mortgage," said State Coordinating Officer Edward F. Jacoby. "Governor Pataki is solidly behind efforts to help New Yorkers get the assistance they need."
Highlights of federal and state involvement in response and recovery include:
- Temporary Housing: The FEMA Disaster Housing Program thus far has provided $31.5 million in grants to 6,850 households. Temporary housing assistance is available for people who cannot or should not live in their disaster-damaged dwelling. These rental assistance grants are made available to both renters and homeowners whose residences were inaccessible or damaged from the World Trade Center attack. The temporary housing grants can be used either to pay rent while a home is being repaired or to make emergency repairs to a home to make it livable.
- Mortgage and Rental Assistance: The FEMA Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program thus far has provided $8.1 million to more than 2,000 eligible applicants. FEMA's Mortgage and Rental Assistance program provides financial assistance to disaster victims who are about to lose their primary residence through eviction or foreclosure as a direct result of financial hardship caused by the terrorist attacks. Eligible homeowners and renters may continue to receive assistance for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration. Whether potential applicants live in the state of New York or elsewhere, they may be eligible for mortgage and rental assistance if their employment was directly affected by the damages in the World Trade Center impact zone.
- Individual & Family Grant Program: FEMA and SEMO have committed more than $4.3 million to the state-run Individual and Family Grant program, assisting more than 2,750 households. This program is intended to provide funds to individuals or families to permit them to meet those disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs for which assistance from other means is either unavailable or inadequate. Grants have been provided for needs varying from furniture and air filters to clothing for individuals who were unable to return to their homes for days and weeks following the attack.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance: In coordination with the New York Department of Labor, FEMA has provided more than $6.2 million to 2,570 workers and business owners who lost employment as a result of the World Trade Center attack. Disaster Unemployment Assistance helps those not covered by New York State's regular unemployment compensation program, such as the self-employed.
- Crime Victims Board: More than 1,700 New York households have been assisted by the Crime Victims Board, which has provided compensation in excess of
$5.5 million. The Department of Justice, through the New York Crime Victims Board, provides compensation to victims of the World Trade Center attack and their families for reimbursement of medical bills, burial expenses, occupational rehabilitation expenses and mental health counseling.
- Crisis Counseling: FEMA provided a $22.7 million immediate services grant to the state of New York for Project Liberty. Funded by FEMA and administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health, Project Liberty is a crisis counseling program created to relieve mental health problems caused or aggravated by the World Trade Center attack. A request by the state of New York to extend the program through a regular services grant is currently being considered.
- Food Stamps: Nearly 33,000 individuals were assisted with $3.8 million in Disaster Food Stamps. Administered by the New York City Human Resources Administration, the federally funded food stamp program provided much-needed replacement coupons to people already relying on this type of assistance as well as to other disaster victims who found themselves without funds for basic nutritional sustenance.
- Small Business Administration: To date, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly $300 million in low-interest disaster loans to more than 3,700 businesses, homeowners and renters. Businesses of all sizes, some non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters located in the declared disaster area may be eligible for loans to fund rebuilding efforts and to cover the costs of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. In addition, working capital loans known as Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to help small companies unable to pay bills or meet normal operating expenses such as payroll or accounts payable.
The deadline for applying for FEMA disaster assistance benefits has been extended until September 30, 2002. To register, call FEMA's toll-free number 1-800-462-9029, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Last Modified: Monday, 06-Oct-2003 11:00:48