April 25, 2007

FEMA OFF AND RUNNING IN WESTCHESTER
First Disaster Recovery Center opened in Mamaroneck tomorrow; more centers to open soon

For more information, go to our website

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has arrived in Westchester and is working with Westchester County government to help local residents apply for federal aid to recover from the storm.

Tomorrow, the agency will open its first Disaster Recovery Center at the Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.

Storm victims can get help filling out applications at the centers and work with representatives of FEMA and the Small Business Administration to get information about disaster aid. Representatives from state agencies as well as county departments – Department of Social Services, Community Mental Health, Senior Services and others - will also be at the centers to help residents apply for food stamps, fill out forms, get counseling referrals or receive any other assistance. FEMA will open other centers in Westchester within the next few days in other hard hit areas of the county.

“We are working with FEMA in a massive outreach effort to help people apply for recovery aid and get services they so desperately need to get back on their feet,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “We are also helping FEMA to spread the word through local governments, non-profits, faith based organizations and other community organizations.’’

Individuals and businesses that are in need of aid are being encouraged to apply for aid on-line or by phone. To register with FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY- call TTY: 1-800-462-7585) between the hours of 8 am to 8 p.m. or go to FEMA’s web site at www.fema.gov. If you need additional help, you can visit the Disaster Recovery Center in your area, but you do not have to go to a center to apply for aid.

To register for aid, storm victims will need to take the following steps:

1) Contact your insurance company: If you are NOT covered for the storm damage by your insurance company, you may be eligible for federal aid. You will need to obtain a letter from your insurance company saying you are not covered for damage from the storm.

2) Register for FEMA aid: To receive any aid, you must take this first step and register for aid. Go to their Web site at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY- call TTY: 1-800-462-7585) between the hours of 8 am to 8 p.m. You may have to wait when you call, so you may want to try early in the morning or late in the evening. But make sure you keep trying and register.

In addition to having a pen and paper, please have the following information ready to give to the person who takes your call:

• Your Social Security number.
• A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.
• Insurance information.
• Directions to your damaged property.
• A telephone number where you can be contacted.

After registering you will receive a packet and a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loan application must be filled out by everyone regardless of whether you are a homeowner, renter or business and even if you are applying for a grant and not a loan. The loan application is the first step in the process to decide eligibility for any type of aid. Individuals are eligible for up to $28,200 in grants or up to $200,000 in small business loans to repair property and up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property such as belongings. Businesses are eligible for up to $1.5 million in loans.

Inspection: Once registered, you will receive a case number and within 7 to 10 days you will receive a call to make an appointment to have your property inspected. It is important to ask for the inspectors name, time or visit and other information that will help you to verify the identity of the inspector when he or she visits. Please remember to ask for identification to avoid potential for fraud.

Decision. Shortly after the inspector’s visit, you will receive a letter from FEMA informing you of the decision on your request for assistance.

• If you are eligible for help, the letter will be followed by a U.S. Treasury/State check or there will be a transfer of cash to your bank account. The letter will explain what the money can be used to pay for.

• If you are not eligible for help, the FEMA letter will give the reason for the deci¬sion. You will be informed of your appeal rights.

Westchester County’s Health Department is also reaching out to help restaurants, many which were badly damaged, register for FEMA aid. The county’s Health Department has been working to inspect restaurants to make sure they meet health standards since much of their food and equipment was destroyed by the flood waters. More than 115 food service establishments were inspected. Many still remain closed and may not reopen.

For the latest update, visit www.westchestergov.com or visit www.fema.gov for more information about applying for aid. For information on how to donate to charitable organizations or where to receive goods if you are a storm victim, call the United Way’s 211 information line or visit www.westchestergov.com.