Disaster Recovery Centers to Close on Sundays

As of this Sunday, Dec. 9, all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery centers opened in the wake of Superstorm Sandy will be closed on Sundays, officials said Friday morning.

This includes the center in Union Beach, located in borough hall, and in Leonardo at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center. Additional FEMA disaster recovery centers are located in Belmar and West Long Branch.

The centers will remain open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., officials said. Applicants may go to any recovery center, even if it is in another state, officials said. Once an application is made and a number is issued, the file can be accessed nationally, officials said.

It is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance, officials said.

Those impacted by the storm can register for assistance and follow up on their applications online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.FEMA.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

At the recovery centers, residents have a chance to speak with representatives one-on-one, and FEMA program specialists are available for registration, to answer questions and provide other necessary information, officials said.

Representatives from the Small Business Association (SBA) are also available to answer residents' questions about the low-interest disaster loan program, and to assist with applications, officials said.

DRC locations change frequently. The closest open offices can be found online at http://asd.FEMA.gov/inter/locator/home.htm. An alternative is FEMA.gov/DRC.