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Two Weeks Left to Register with FEMA

Residents need to submit their applications to the agency by April 1.

Applications for federal disaster assistance are due in just two weeks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced recently, giving Hurricane Sandy victims who suffered storm-related damages a deadline of April 1 to apply.

The disaster aid application deadline has been extended several times already following the late October storm, though the extensions require a request from the governor's office and are not guaranteed.

Because of this FEMA encourages those seeking assistance not to wait to register with FEMA and apply for aid.

April 1 is also the deadline to return applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding, according to a release.

Those interested can apply for an SBA disaster home or business loans by filling out an online application at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. Those who have applied for federal disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with FEMA and SBA. Applicants should notify FEMA and SBA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses.

Contact information, from FEMA:

Survivors can register online and check on the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

There are nine disaster recovery centers open in Atlantic, Cape May, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean counties. FEMA staff is available at the centers to provide clarification to letters, assist survivors with finding a temporary home if their primary residence was damaged or destroyed, check on the status of applications for assistance or refer survivors to other agencies that may provide additional help. Survivors can locate their nearest center by going to FEMA.gov/DRC.
           
Survivors can ask questions about their SBA disaster home or business loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
 
Additional resources are available online at FEMA.gov/SandyNJ and SBA.gov/Sandy.

M22 March 19, 2013 at 04:51 pm
Yes... Check the status if your application... Denied, denied, denied!!!! Good job FEMA
Henderson silva March 19, 2013 at 05:46 pm
Hi there, I am an Army National guard soldier and was there helping with the recovery team. I also have a painting business, registered and insured, a real company not a scammer. I would like to have the opportunity to have your bussiness if you need paint or wood work in your home. Thanks
P&H restoration Henderson Phone:973-803-3542 Henderson821@hotmail.com
Janet Stenger March 19, 2013 at 05:50 pm
Just more cash for Mayor Amato's boss George Gilmore for another Ashbritt scam!
Brick rez March 19, 2013 at 07:48 pm
Denied here too....
frustrated in silverton March 19, 2013 at 09:36 pm
Denied both SBA loan and Fema assistance..both said we can appeal after we receive our homeowners and flood insurance...so far we received neither..is this date of april 1st for appeals as well..I am pretty sure we have 6 months from date of denial of SBA..not sure about disaster assistance..anyhelp here would be appreciated..
B Scott March 20, 2013 at 01:39 am
The whole thing including the Insurance Industry with their depreciation values and low ball estimates are a joke. I was always told I have the best Home Owners Insurance and Flood Insurance money can buy. Bull! It's a scam..a total scam and no one is doing anything but make speeches and talk trash. In Beach Haven West people are walking away from their homes and letting them go to foreclosure. We have all been hoodwinked. My home was destroyed and the Flood Insurance wants to settle with me for about a third of what it will cost to rebuild. The Insurance Industry are the real criminals in this Country.
Floodgate March 20, 2013 at 02:21 am
But you can bet we don't need an approval when they tack on at least $500 to $1000 a month to our mortgages for flood insurance .....
Floodgate March 20, 2013 at 02:25 am
It's too bad we can't let Fema know that we are going to start bringing in bankruptcy attorneys for mass forclosures , this way we would stick our federally backed mortgages with the Feds who created a disaster worse than sandy .
Kim E March 20, 2013 at 04:23 am
me too
Kim E March 20, 2013 at 04:26 am
I was told I had great credit score but still got denied!!!!!
Susan McDermott March 20, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Your language is offensive. You'll get your point across very well without vulgarity.
Frank March 20, 2013 at 01:18 pm
FEMA and SBA loans are only offered to those with great credit scores and no debt. It is the same criteria that banks use. This is just another way of our government saying that they are helping when in reality they only help a few.
Lauren Paris Solomon March 20, 2013 at 02:28 pm
There are still many peopel who are clueless regarding ABFE, elevations, increases in their flood insurance. Many seniors are unaware that their ABFE changed from an X to an "A". As time goes on....they may need FEMA assistance to elevate their homes and it will be too late for them to apply. People that had no flooding but have new elevation requirements. Why should there be a deadline when someone can apply. If they are phasing in the new elevations over the next 12-48 months then why should the application process not be available when owners are shocked when they learn this news. I'm especially concerned with the senior citizens who do not have the knowledge or possibly advocates to assist them. As long as ABFE's are changing then the application should stay open!
George Kasimos March 20, 2013 at 04:05 pm
Our next meeting will be this Sunday.
DATE: March 24, 2013 LOCATION: Brick Twp. Municipal Complex – Courtroom 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723 TIME: 12 till 2pm On the agenda will be a "Candid Conversation" with Mayor Acropolis from Brick, NJ and Q & A. Everyone is invited. Bring a freind or 3! www.facebook.com/StopFemaNow "LIKE" us
Donald Jodice March 20, 2013 at 07:16 pm
B Scott:
I certainly feel your pain and frustration and I can't agree more. Im in the same sinking boat in Ortley Beach. My house sustained over 75% damage. It can be repaired but, It CANT BE RIASED due to the age and the layout. And I cant repair it until I raise it. Sounds like an Abott and Costello bit. Needless to say, the only option I have is to demo the house and build new. The insurance company wants to give me 30% of what my Policy is worth!!!!! We finally had enough and filed a complaint with the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. Now lets see what happens.
Jack Miller March 20, 2013 at 07:21 pm
Donald, also hire a good public adjuster.
cindy March 20, 2013 at 07:40 pm
If you tear down and put up a new house you'll pay higher property taxes, they have us hostage every which way.
Fight Club March 20, 2013 at 08:07 pm
When will you people finally stop jumping thru hoops , that get you nowhere, for these people who are trying to harm you......
how many months, weeks, days, minutes, seconds, do we all have here on Earth.....Do the math .........WAKE UP ! TAKE THE RED PILL !!!!
Brick Jerz Mom 3 March 20, 2013 at 08:25 pm
REMEMBER.....MITT ROMNEY SAID TO DO AWAY WITH FEMA & EVERYTHOUGHT HE WAS NUTS & MEAN FOR SAYING THAT..... GUESS HE KNEW WHAT WE ALL DIDN'T
re-tired March 21, 2013 at 12:26 am
fema is only part of the problem ..biggert/waters is the other there is no way flood insurance is going to pay for itself without bankrupting the public . This legislation came out of the same congress /senate that made up obamacare . No more foreign aid until we take care of americans !
Freetobeyouandme March 21, 2013 at 01:58 am
Better sign up now. FEMA has started to reverse PAID claims
http://brooklynroundup.blogspot.com/2013/03/fema-to-staten-island-sandy-victim-we.html
Frank March 21, 2013 at 03:19 am
ALL foreign aid should have been stopped immediately following the storm!

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Ortley fulltimer June 8, 2013 at 04:01 pm
Great story! Glad to hear your on your way back. Also happy to see someone else noticing that inRead More some places it still looks like Sandy hit yesterday. Some mayors might consider that "complaining".
christine June 8, 2013 at 04:25 pm
To George ~ that is so unfair...plain and simple.
Av June 8, 2013 at 05:02 pm
I live under a gin mill oh yeah me and milk jug