Helplines Are Link To New Yorkers' Disaster Assistance
Release Date: October 30, 2006
Release Number: 1650-109
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Even though the disaster assistance registration deadline has passed for victims of June’s severe storms and floods, the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) remain available to help.
The state, FEMA and SBA will continue to answer questions and track the status of an individual’s disaster assistance and disaster loan applications through toll-free helpline numbers, according to state and federal officials.
“We want those who have registered to know that assistance is still available even though the deadline to register has passed,” said John R. Gibb, Director of the State Emergency Management Office. “We will continue to help our fellow New Yorkers to recover from these devastating floods.”
“We will continue to process existing assistance registrations,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Marianne C. Jackson, “and make sure those registered get all the assistance that is available to them as they rebuild their lives.”
The helpline numbers for individuals registered for disaster assistance are as follows:
The New York State Individual and Family Grant Program helpline is 1-888-329-7540, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The FEMA helpline is 1-800-621 FEMA (3362), option 3. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until further notice.
SBA Disaster Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 or those who are hearing impaired, 1-800-877-8339. Hours are 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and noon to midnight Sunday.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 01-Nov-2006 07:39:18