Disaster Aid for New Yorkers Exceeds $90 Million
Release Date: August 23, 2006
Release Number: 1650-061
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Families and individuals who suffered damage from the June severe storms and flooding have received more than $90 million in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of New York.
Below is a summary as of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2006:
- $20.9 million has been approved through the FEMA Housing Program, part of the FEMA/State Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Housing assistance provides grants to renters to find alternate housing. Homeowners may receive grants to make the home livable or, if that cannot be done, grants are given to rent alternate housing. The program is funded 100 percent by FEMA.
- $4.8 million has been approved for the FEMA/State Other Needs Assistance Program (ONA), another part of the IHP, provides grants for lost personal property, transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses to those who have serious and essential needs unmet by other assistance programs.
- $61.5 million in low interest disaster loans has been approved for homeowners, renters and business owners by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Low-interest loans may be available to renters, for personal property and automobiles, and homeowners, to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate or personal property, at terms as low as 2.973 percent. Businesses of all sizes may be eligible for a loan up to $1.5 million for terms as low as 4 percent. An SBA low-interest disaster loan is the primary source of federal funding to help those affected return to pre-disaster conditions.
- $3.3 million dollars was awarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for hazardous materials cleanup in the affected counties.
- 12,481 individuals have registered for assistance with FEMA.
- 13,889 visits have been made to the FEMA/State Disaster Assistance Service Centers (DASCs). The centers offer disaster victims an opportunity to meet with representatives from FEMA and the State of New York to get answers to their disaster application process.
Currently, five DASCs are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
Susquehanna Valley High School , 1040 Conklin Road , Conklin
Walton High School , 47 Stockton Avenue , Walton
Sidney Civic Center, 21 Liberty Street , Sidney
Town of Union Municipal Bldg., 3111 East Main St. , Endwell
Fort Plain Senior Center , 204 Canal St. , Fort Plain
Victims of the June floods need to make two phone calls for assistance:
For the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program, call 1-888-7-NYS-AID (1-888-769-7243) or TTY: NYS Relay 711. Lines are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. You can also register online at www.labor.state.ny.us. New York 's helpline is 1-888-329-7540 (open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Saturday).
Registrations for the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program must be received by Tuesday, September 5, 2006.
For federal programs, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. You can also register online at www.fema.gov. The FEMA Helpline number is the same as the registration number: 1-800-621 FEMA.
Registrations for FEMA assistance must be received by Friday, September 1, 2006.
The major federal disaster declaration on July 1 enabled residents and business owners in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster counties to register for federal recovery aid.
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, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-Aug-2006 15:02:24