Update on FEMA Hurricane Irene Assistance Venue

A message about FEMA disaster recover assistance from Monmouth County ...

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Monmouth County Park System’s Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Route 36, in the Leonardo section of Middletown, will stopped processing claims from Hurricane Irene and ceased operation at 6 p.m. yesterday, Wednesday, Nov. 2.  

However, there is still an open avenue for help. Monmouth County residents and business owners whose properties sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Irene are still reminded to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance no later than Nov. 30.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses should register online any time at www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov or via mobile phone application m.fema.gov. You can also register by phone between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); multilingual operators are available and for the speech or hearing impaired, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

The Nov. 30 deadline also applies to loan applications submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov or by calling 1-800-659-2955.

“Assistance can include FEMA grants for home repairs, SBA low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Irene,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the county Office of Emergency Management. “If you were affected by the hurricane, be sure to get the help for which you are eligible.”

After registering for FEMA assistance, claimants should receive notification by mail within 10 days on whether they qualify for federal disaster assistance.

• If eligible, the letter explains how much the grant will be, and how it is intended to be used. You should keep receipts and other documentation for at least three years as proof the funds were spent as intended.
• If ineligible – or if the grant amount reads “0” — you may still qualify. The denial may just mean the application is missing information or that you missed an appointment with an inspector. FEMA recommends that you consider the appeals process.

Links to FEMA resources are available on the Monmouth County Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.