Politics & Government

As April 1 Deadline Nears: Things Sandy Survivors Should Know

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) releases a tip sheet on seeking assistance in aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Here is some helpful information New Jerseyans should know as they continue their recoveries from Hurricane Sandy.

  • There are three ways to reach the Federal Emergency Management Agency in New Jersey:
  • Survivors should apply for federal disaster assistance even if they have insurance. Assistance may pay for repairs and temporary housing that insurance doesn’t cover.
  • The deadline to register with FEMA and return completed SBA loan applications is
  • Federal disaster assistance can include rental assistance, grants to replace personal property or low-interest disaster home loans from the Small Business Administration.
  • Renters and homeowners can apply.
  • Only a survivor whose primary residence was damaged and was living in it at the time of the storm is eligible to receive assistance for housing needs.
  • FEMA disaster assistance is not income sensitive. Income does not affect eligibility.
  • FEMA disaster assistance does not affect other government programs like Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or pensions.
  • Accepting disaster assistance does not keep other survivors from receiving it.
  • Disaster assistance from FEMA is not taxable.
  • Non U.S. citizens may be eligible for FEMA assistance if they are lawful permanent residents or otherwise have legal status.
  • Registering with the American Red Cross or calling 2-1-1 is not the same as registering with FEMA. Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster home loans to homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged property. SBA also offers loans to businesses to repair and replace disaster-damaged property and offers economic injury disaster loans to assist with working capital.
  • The SBA can be contacted by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
  • Survivors who have questions about flood insurance claims and the appeals process can call 888-379-9531.
  • Visit Region2Coastal.com for information about advisory base flood elevations.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blogwww.twitter.com/femawww.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema

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The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

— News release from FEMA

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