New York Disaster Aid Exceeds $12.3 Million
Release Date: May 17, 2007
Release Number: 1692-032
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- State and federal officials have approved more than $12.3 million in disaster grants and low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damages during the April 14-18 nor'easter. To date, more than 6,501 New York households and businesses have applied for disaster assistance.
Following is a summary of activities in the declared counties as of close of business Wednesday, May 16, 2007:
- 6,501 households and businesses have registered for assistance.
- $7.76 million in grants to 3,452 households have been approved by FEMA for home repairs and renting alternative housing.
- $547,725 in grants to 521 households have been approved by the State of New York and Federal Emergency Management Agency for other serious needs.
- $4 million in low-interest disaster loans have been offered to 86 households and businesses by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- 20 inspectors are in the field verifying property damage throughout the seven counties eligible for Individual Assistance.
- 2,091 people affected by the disaster have visited a Disaster Recovery Center.
- 20 Community Relations specialists are canvassing damaged neighborhoods explaining assistance programs to individuals.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to qualified individuals who live or work in Albany, Orange, Dutchess, Richmond, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties, or those otherwise directly affected by the storm in those counties. Disaster Unemployment Assistance includes those who cannot normally get unemployment, such as farmers and the self-employed. Individuals can apply by calling the New York State Department of Labor on Mondays or Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1-888-209-8124.
Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties were declared eligible for Individual Assistance on April 24, 2007, by President Bush in response to a request by Governor Eliot Spitzer. Albany, Dutchess and the borough of Staten Island (Richmond County) were added May 3, 2007, and Ulster County was added May 9.
Thirteen New York counties also have been declared eligible for Public Assistance. A Public Assistance declaration provides eligibility for disaster assistance to state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations that received damage resulting from the storm. This assistance covers such items as certain emergency work requiring overtime, debris removal and repair of damaged public facilities not covered by insurance.
The 13 counties eligible for Public Assistance are Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester.
Residents in the seven counties eligible for Individual Assistance may register for assistance with FEMA by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily or register online at www.fema.gov. Registrants should be careful to use the name as it appears on their Social Security card.
After registering with FEMA, registrants are urged to visit any of the FEMA/SEMO Disaster Recovery Centers to check on their status or ask questions about other available disaster aid programs. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the address of the closest Disaster Recovery Center.
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: Friday, 18-May-2007 09:06:15