Mangano Reminds Residents Affected By Hurricane Irene To Register For FEMA, SBA Aid

Two Weeks Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today reminded Nassau County residents affected by Hurricane Irene that they have only two weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for possible federal disaster assistance. Thursday, December 15, 2011 is the registration deadline. Those who may need to register for aid should do so as soon as possible.

“I encourage residents who think they may qualify for federal aid or would like additional information on what disaster assistance programs are available to call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov to register before it’s too late,” said County Executive Mangano. “This is especially important even if you have already called your insurance company because if your coverage comes up short or damage appears at a later time, you need to be registered in order to receive FEMA assistance.”

December 15th is also the deadline to complete and return an SBA low-interest disaster loan application. No one is obligated to take a loan, but completing the application is an essential step in possibly receiving additional FEMA grants for homeowners and renters that do not qualify for a loan.

To register, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

The registration period and the deadline apply to the major federal disaster declarations signed by President Barack Obama for both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee that enabled residents and business owners in Nassau County as well as Albany, Bronx, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Kings, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington and Westchester counties to register for federal recovery aid.