TRENTON — Just two weeks remain for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New Jersey to register for potential recovery assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deadline is Friday, March 1 at 10 p.m. local time by phone and at midnight for those who register online.
March 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. The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
New Jerseyans who applied for federal disaster assistance are urged to stay in touch with FEMA and SBA. Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA and SBA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses.
To date, more than $358.1 million in grants has been approved for home repairs or replacement, rental assistance and other needs. Another $446.7 million in SBA low-interest disaster loans has been approved for more than 6,400 homes and businesses.
Survivors can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, via web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov until midnight March 1. New Jerseyans can also register by telephone until 10 p.m. March 1 via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Recovery assistants remain available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
