def #92 05/12/10

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR MARCH/APRIL STORM DAMAGE

OCEAN COUNTY has been made part of a federal presidential disaster declaration paving the way for residents and public agencies to tap into federal funds to cover a portion of damages that may have occurred. Deadline to register for assistance is June 1, 2010.

“Federal disaster assistance is being made available to Ocean County for damages incurred during the severe storms and flooding of March 12 through April 15,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “Ocean County is receiving assistance as a result of a presidential disaster declaration signed April 2. Five counties were  added to the disaster declaration following new damage assessments requested by the state, and conducted last week by local officials, representatives of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and the Federal Emergency Management Administration.”

To register for assistance, those affected by damaging flooding should call FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY/TDD 1-800-462-7585 for people with speech and hearing disabilities (for relay service, call 711 or 1-800-852-7897) between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m., seven days a week. Multi-lingual operators are available to answer calls during this time. Residents may also register online anytime at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

To speed assistance, individuals should be ready to provide:

  • Current phone number.
  • Address at the time of the disaster and the address where they are now staying.
  • Social Security number, if available.
  • A general list of damages and losses they suffered.
  • If insured, insurance policy number, or the agent's and company name.

In addition a Disaster Recovery Center is scheduled to open at noon, Friday, May 14 at the Brick Township Civic Center, Suite 11, 270 Chambersbridge Road, Brick Township. It’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

At the Disaster Recovery Center, visitors can:

  • Access information on different types of state and federal disaster help.
  • Get help completing low-interest loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters and business owners.
  • Inquire about the status of applications for federal assistance.
  • May receive referrals to voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs.
  • Learn cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce the impact of future disaster losses.

FEMA is providing both Individual Assistance, which is made available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes, and Public Assistance which is aid to state and local governments, schools, and certain private nonprofits. Assistance is provided based on eligibility.

“I am urging residents who may be eligible for individual assistance grants to register with FEMA as soon as possible,” Kelly said. “The deadline - June 1, 2010 - is quickly approaching.”

Individual assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.  Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

“I want to thank our Sheriff Bill Polhemus and the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management. They worked closely with all of our towns in order to have us included in the emergency declaration,” Kelly said. “There are a number of variables that need to be met in order to receive FEMA assistance and it was the good work of our emergency management that helped us.”

Information is available on the county website at www.co.ocean.nj.us, both on the home page and at “Be Prepared: Office of Emergency Management.” Information also is available at the County Connection at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River.