The deadline for families, individuals and businesses in New Jersey that suffered damages during Irene to request financial aid from FEMA and the Small Business Administration has been extended to Nov 30.
More than 20,000 New Jerseyans have already sought assistance from FEMA. The agency has thus far doled out $7.9 million in checks for things like rental assistance and appliance replacement.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg applauded FEMA and the SBA for giving families and businesses more time to register for assistance.
"Families and businesses in our state are trying to get back on their feet and I encourage them to take advantage of this extra time," Lautenberg said.
Disaster assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property.
There are three ways to register – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-3362 (FEMA).
Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.
