The Federal Emergency Management Agency has again extended deadlines for post-Sandy assistance.
Sandy survivors now have until Mar. 29 to apply for federal assistance, including FEMA grants and low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration, which are available to businesses, homeowners, and even renters.
FEMA urges all those affected by Sandy to submit a Small Business Administration disaster loan application, regardless of pending insurance claims. Homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged primary residence. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property. Businesses may be eligible to borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.
Loan applicants who don’t qualify for a disaster loans are automatically considered for FEMA grants.
The agency has also extended until March 10 the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which pays for those displaced by Hurricane Sandy to stay in hotels or motels.
Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app. Applicants can also register by calling the FEMA Helpline: (800) 621–3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) (800) 462–7585. The line is open 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.
Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.
