FEMA Storm Aid Application Process Announced
June 14, 2007: Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the details of how property owners, renters and business owners affected by the April 15 nor'easter can apply for federal assistance in recovering from the storm.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, acting on appeal led by Governor Rell, on Wednesday reversed an earlier decision and ruled that residents of Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties would be eligible for individual assistance. For homeowners and renters that aid may include grants and low-interest loans for repair or replacement of damaged property, while business owners may be eligible for low-interest loans.
"The storm that battered Connecticut in April caused some of the worst damage our state has seen in two decades," Governor Rell said. "This is very welcome news for many people who have wondered whether they would be left to their own devices to cope with water-damaged walls, ruined carpets and lost appliances, furniture and other goods. It is also a relief for businesses that were forced to close their doors while they recovered from the damage to their stores and replaced lost inventory."
The easiest way for most residents to contact FEMA will be through a toll-free hotline, (800) 621-FEMA [(800) 621-3362]. Users of TTY service can call 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. Residents can also apply for assistance through the Internet by visiting FEMA online at www.fema.gov.
Callers are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:
Your current phone number
Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
Your Social Security number, if available
A general list of damage and losses you suffered
Good directions to the property that was damaged
If insured, your insurance policy number, or the agent's and company's name
General financial information
Individual and household assistance may include:
Temporary Housing - Homeowners and renters may receive rental assistance to help with housing costs while displaced from their own homes or apartments or while looking for new, permanent housing
Repair - Homeowners may qualify for grants to repair disaster damage not covered by insurance. These funds are intended to make their homes safe and habitable, which will not necessarily return them to their pre-disaster condition
Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Applicants also may receive grants for serious disaster-related needs not met by insurance, volunteer agencies or other sources. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage and other eligible expenses
Disaster Loans - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes low-interest disaster loans available to residents of the counties included in the disaster declaration. The SBA provides three types of disaster loans:
Home disaster loans to homeowners to repair or replace storm-damaged homes and, to renters and homeowners alike, to replace lost personal property
Business physical disaster loans to business owners to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, including inventory and supplies
Economic injury disaster loans which provide capital to businesses and agricultural cooperatives to help them through the recovery period
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