U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks and Senator Robert Menendez Lead Bi-Partisan Effort to Forgive Superstorm Sandy Disaster Relief Debts

U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks and Senator Robert Menendez Lead Bi-Partisan Effort to Forgive Superstorm Sandy Disaster Relief Debts

ROCKAWAY, NEW YORK -   U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement on the announcement of legislation to waive the debts incurred by thousands of disaster relief assistance recipients:

“Our community is still recovering from the physical, psychological, and economic damage wrought by Superstorm Sandy.  In the aftermath of Sandy’s destruction, many of us were in desperate need of disaster relief assistance.  In this time of crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) acted quickly to provide assistance to our community and for this swift humanitarian action, we are eternally grateful.   

Yet more than two years after Sandy, victims who received FEMA assistance are now being asked to relive the emotional and financial distress, as FEMA takes action to collect accidental overpayments.  These overpayments occurred through no fault of the recipients, and are a result of the overwhelming size and scope of FEMA’s response.   Some of these overpayments were for as little as $1000 and went to retired seniors, like those living at the Belle Harbor Manor in the Rockaways.  For these seniors, many of whom live on a fixed income, as-well-as the tens of thousands of other recipients of overpayments, the debt-collection process potentially includes attaching one’s Social Security benefits, reducing their credit scores, and lengthy and costly litigation. 

To prevent the U.S. Government from dragging everyday-hardworking Americans through a potentially lengthy and costly collection process, I am drafting legislation with Senator Menendez to provide relief for Sandy victims who are in debt to FEMA through no fault of their own.   

It is my hope that Congress will take swift action to fix this problem.  Sandy taught me the importance of our community coming together, and it is my hope that the nation, through its representatives in Congress, will unite to bring closure to the thousands upon thousands of victims of major disasters in the United States.” 

Senator Robert Menendez added: “Far too many victims of Superstorm Sandy are still living a nightmare, as they struggle to rebuild their homes and their lives.  It is unconscionable to come to them over two years later and demand they repay disaster relief funding because FEMA made a mistake.  Most victims used whatever assistance they were given to make emergency repairs and simply don’t have anything left to give.  That’s why I’m working with the New Jersey and New York Congressional delegations to draft legislation to protect vulnerable disaster victims from these unjust and onerous clawbacks.”  

Representative Michael Grimm of Staten Island added, “With countless Sandy survivors still not in their homes over two years after the storm, I’m proud to work with my friend and colleague Congressman Meeks on this common sense solution that will spare thousands of these disaster victims from digging into their own pockets to make up for the government’s mistake.”

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder added, “Families who received additional assistance, through no fault of their own, should not be asked to return money that was clearly spent on aiding their recovery from Sandy.  Passing the Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act will protect our struggling families from drowning in debt to FEMA.  Congressman Meeks has been a tireless fighter for Sandy-devastated families and I commend him for introducing this legislation and pledge my full support to ensure that it becomes the law and provides Sandy victims the relief they deserve.” [End]