Legislator Abrahams:

               Hurricane Damage Grant Program Helps Residents

            $8 Million Program Targeted to Assist Victims of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) announced that Governor Cuomo has initiated an $8 million appliance grant program for those who sustained property damage as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The program will help New Yorkers cover the costs of replacing vital household appliances, such as refrigerators, boilers washing machines and furnaces, damaged by the recent flooding. Grants will be a fixed amount for different appliances and could cover up to 100 percent of the costs of a purchase.

If the cost of the appliance exceeds the cap, the program will pay a portion of the total costs up to the cap.

Legislator Abrahams said “This program is welcome news for Nassau County residents who sustained damage during the recent hurricane and tropical storms. I am grateful to Governor Cuomo for his prompt attention to this recent crisis.”
The program will be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Grants will be available for the most critical energy efficient equipment and appliances.

Residents statewide in affected areas will be eligible and must affirm that they have been impacted by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee and that these products are not covered by insurance or FEMA assistance. For residents affected by Hurricane Irene, grants on purchases of approved appliances and equipment will be retroactive to Aug. 29, 2011, and for residents affected by Tropical Storm Lee, grants will be retroactive to Sept. 9, 2011.

Grants will be for ENERGY STAR© qualified appliances and equipment where applicable. In product categories for which there are no ENERGY STAR criteria, the higher efficiency units will be eligible for a rebate.
A list of eligible equipment and appliances and rebate levels is as follows:

Eligible Equipment & Appliances Rebate
Refrigerators (ENERGY STAR) $350
Clothes Washers (ENERGY STAR) $250
Clothes Dryers w/Moisture Sensor (higher efficiency) $250
Dehumidifiers (ENERGY STAR) $100
Furnace (ENERGY STAR) $2,000
Boiler (ENERGY STAR) $2,500
Hot Water Heater Tanks (electric- higher efficiency; gas- ENERGY STAR) $400

Purchases of appliances and equipment, with the exception of dehumidifiers, must be for replacement purposes only and purchases covered by insurance or FEMA are not eligible. Audits to verify insurance claims and/or FEMA assistance may be conducted. All grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for completed applications, which will be available beginning Monday, September 19 at www.NYSApplianceRebates.com or by calling 1-877-NY-SMART (877-697-6278). The grant program will continue until funding runs out.