PeteKing Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program for Hurricane Sandy Victims

Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program for Hurricane Sandy Victims


November 19, 2012

The program funds certain necessary and essential measures to help restore power, heat and hot water to primary residences that could regain power through necessary and essential repairs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with state, local and tribal partners, is implementing a Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program to help people get back into their homes quickly and safely. STEP assists State, local and tribal governments in performing work and services essential to saving lives, protecting public health and safety, and protecting property. The program funds certain necessary and essential measures to help restore power, heat and hot water to primary residences that could regain power through necessary and essential repairs. STEP can help residents safely shelter-in-place in their homes pending more permanent repairs. Attached is the policy for your reference.

Under the program, residents of the designated disaster areas that participate will be able to have the damage to their residence assessed and, where safe and practicable, have electricity restored and other basic repairs made so they can move back into their homes. The city, county and FEMA will reach out to residents directly to offer one or more of the following options:

Residential Electrical Meter Repairs – For those whose home can be used to shelter-in-place, and repairing the electric meter is all that’s needed to have power restored. This might include repairs to the weather head, service cable or the meter socket.
Shelter Essential Measures – For those whose home can be used to shelter-in-place, STEP will provide temporary electricity, heat and hot water to meet basic life sustaining needs while permanent repairs are made.
Rapid Temporary Exterior Repairs – These are necessary and essential repairs to protect storm-damaged residences from further damage that may present an immediate threat to life and property, and where appropriate, facilitate sheltering-in-place pending repairs that are more permanent repairs. This may include securing broken windows, covering damaged exterior walls and roofs, and patching and securing damaged exterior doors.
How will residents get information on this program?

Residents in the five boroughs of New York City can call 3-1-1 to access information about the program. Residents in Nassau County can call 1-888-684-4267. Residents of all other designated areas can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The county and city will decide what elements of the STEP Program are available for each residence.

Participation in the STEP program will make applicants for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program ineligible for further Transitional Sheltering Assistance, if authorized, or subsequent lodging expense reimbursement once work performed under STEP is completed.