Disaster Assistance for Homeowners and Businesses

FEMA will offer assistance to New Jerseyans who have been affected and displaced by Hurricane Sandy including:

  • rental payments for temporary housing for  homes that are unlivable
  • grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance
  • unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs and don't qualify for state benefits
  • grants to meet medical, dental and other serious needs not covered by insurance
  • low-interest loans for losses: residential property, business property & personal property
  • loans for small businesses and farmers that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact.

**Please note, there have been reports of people posing as FEMA officials. FEMA officials will be wearing a FEMA shirt and badge. Call the fraud hotline if you think you witness any imposters**

First, follow these two steps if you are a homeowner or a business owner:

STEP 1: Individuals and businesses with damage should first contact their insurance companies. Document your damage with photo and video. Save all receipts associated with clean-up and repair.  A list of all insurers that write home owners policies in New Jersey can be found here.

STEP 2: Individuals and businesses with uninsured or underinsured damages should register with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov or at m.fema.gov on a smartphone. You also may call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

Learn what you need to know before you apply for assistance and next steps after you apply.

The New Jersey government also prepared a comprehensive guide to filing an insurance claim.

Note: the initial determination letter from FEMA is just the starting point.  Applicants should read their initial determination letter carefully. Even if the letter says they are ineligible, the reason might simply be that they have not provided all the information or documentation required. It does not necessarily mean “case closed.” When applicable, the letter explains what additional information is needed or how to appeal a decision stating they do not qualify for assistance.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC)
Homeowners and Bussiness owners can visit a DRC to ask FEMA representatives questions about disaster assistance. All DRCs are open Mon-Sat, 9am – 7pm.

Monmouth and Middlesex County DRC locations:

  • Sayreville Senior Center, 423 Main Street, Sayreville
  • Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Highway 36, Leonardo
  • Municipal Building in Belmar, 601 Main St.
  • Memorial School, 221 Morningside Ave, Union Beach (Mobile Center)
  • Independent Firehouse, 205 Union Ave, Long Branch
  • Plainfield Senior Citizens Center, 400 E. Front St

Find other DRC locations and hours on the FEMA website: www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers


Additional Information for Homeowners

Mortgage Relief

For information on mortgage payment relief, homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer – the company to which they send their monthly mortgage payment – or call Freddie Mac at 800-FREDDIE.  Freddie Mac's general disaster relief policies are posted online at http://www.freddiemac.com/singlefamily/service/disastermgmt.html.

HUD Foreclosure Moratorium

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-approved homes for those affected by the storm. Contact my office with any questions: 202-225-4671.
 

Business Owners

Small Business Administration

After residents and businesses are registered with FEMA, they may apply for a disaster loan. The Small Business Administration (SBA), not FEMA, provides low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance and loans up to $2 million for small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered property damage or loss of cash flow. Residents can apply online at http://www.sba.gov/content/applying-disaster-loan, or in person at any Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest location, please call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Business Recovery Centers

In addition, the SBA has opened up Business Recovery Centers in New Jersey to provide one-on-one guidance to business owners seeking disaster assistance for losses caused by Hurricane Sandy. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is December 31, 2012 . The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2013 .

Please note, business owners can also file for disaster assistance in Disaster Recovery Centers.

  • Middlesex: JFK Library, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway 08854, (Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm; Sun 1pm to 5pm)
  • Monmouth: Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Rd, Bankier Library, Room 246 (SBDC), Lincroft 07738 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)

View these tips for business owners applying for disaster assistance. Also, here is a comprehensive list of resources for business owners in Monmouth County impacted by Sandy.