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Home > Press > RECENT PRESS RELEASES > Oct 21, 2011 - MAYOR BOOKER ANNOUNCES FEMA HAS EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR NEWARK RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR HURRICANE IRENE FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE MONEY TO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011

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Oct 21, 2011 - MAYOR BOOKER ANNOUNCES FEMA HAS EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR NEWARK RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR HURRICANE IRENE FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE MONEY TO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011


For Immediate Release
 
MAYOR BOOKER ANNOUNCES FEMA HAS EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR NEWARK RESIDENTS
WHO WERE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IRENE
TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE MONEY TO WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011;
RESIDENTS ARE WARNED THAT THEY WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED BY FEMA IF THEY DO NOT FILE CLAIMS;
Federal disaster relief grants and loans are still available for damages suffered from Hurricane Irene
and related flooding during Aug. 27 through Sept. 5, 2011;
Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million in Small Business Administration Disaster Loans
for physical losses and working capital needs
 
Newark, NJ – October 21, 2011 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, Members of the Municipal Council, Business Administrator Julien X. Neals Esq. and Newark Emergency Management and Domestic Preparedness Director Keith Isaac announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for Newark residents whose homes, businesses or property were damaged by Hurricane Irene to apply for federal disaster assistance money to Wednesday, November 30, 2011.
 
Applications can be found on the web at www.fema.govorwww.DisasterAssistance.govor by phone at (800) 621-3362(FEMA). Call TTY (800) 462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities. Telephone lines areopen from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available. Residents are warned that they will not be reimbursed by FEMA if they do not file claims.
 
“Newark like many municipalities throughout the state was severely affected by Hurricane Irene. If you have suffered property damage as a result Hurricane Irene and related flooding, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance funds. I urge Newark residents and business owners to call Federal Emergency Management Agency hotline number if they need assistance,” Mayor Booker said. “If you do not file a claim, you will not receive assistance.”
 
Federal assistance became available after President Obama issued a major disaster declaration on Aug. 31. Federal disaster relief grants and loans are still available for damages suffered from Hurricane Irene and related flooding, during August 27 through September 5, 2011. According to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Office (NJOEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), nearly $135 million in FEMA grants have been approved to support the New Jersey recovery from Hurricane Irene.
 
 “City officials have met with FEMA representatives, who have reiterated that agency’s commitment to help Newark residents and businesses that have suffered as a result of Irene,” said Business Administrator Neals. “FEMA can only help, however, if those residents and businesses contact FEMA and file their claims.”
 
“Many Newark residents suffered damage to their homes, property, or business as a result of Hurricane Irene. Federal funds are available to help pay the costs of repairing that damage,” said Director Isaac.
 
FEMA will provide disaster assistance to residents for the following:
  • Temporary Housing: a place to live for a limited period of time. Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available.
  • Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.
  • Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
  • Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.
  • Disaster-related medical and dental costs.
  • Disaster-related funeral and burial cost.
  • Clothing; household itemssuch as room furnishings and appliances; tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).
  • Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).
  • Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).
  • Disaster damaged vehicle.
  • Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).
  • Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.
  • Other expenses that are authorized by law.
 
The Small Business Administration is also urging business owners to apply for disaster loan applications if they have registered for federal disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Completing the SBA application is an important part of the process of receiving assistance.  SBA’s disaster loans are meant to cover uninsured losses.  They can help with the cost of replacing drywall, restoring landscaping, repairing foundation damage and removing debris, as well as meet other repair needs and replace lost or damaged personal items.
 
Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million for physical losses and working capital needs. By returning the SBA loan application, homeowners may also be eligible for up to a $200,000 loan to repair or replace their storm-damaged home. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to a $40,000 loan for replacement of personal property. Interest rates are as low as 2.5 percent; terms are up to 30 years. Interest rates are 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. There is no obligation to accept an SBA loan if offered. Completing the loan application, whether or not a loan is offered, may open the door to other possible assistance, including additional federal grant funds for homeowners and renters.  To date, more than $40 million has been approved as low-interest loans from the SBA to help New Jersey business owners recover from damages incurred from Hurricane Irene.
 
Business owners who suffered property damage can download one at www.sba.gov or fill out an application online at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.  If an applicant has a question, help is available by calling SBA Customer Service at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. Advice is also available by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
 
For additional information on Hurricane or disaster preparedness, please visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website athttp://www.nj.gov/njoem/orwww.ready.gov  .You can alsocall the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA or visit the following websites at www.fema.gov,orwww.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for disaster assistance.
 
For more information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
 
-NEWARK-
 
Contact:         Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.
                       
 
 
About the City of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major commuter and freight rail lines, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.
 
With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.
 
For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us
 
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