New City, Sept 2 — Rockland County residents will be able to receive Individual Assistance federal disaster assistance for damage sustained during Hurricane Irene.
The Individual Assistance Program provides money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance. Assistance is provided to rent an alternative place, to repair damage not covered by insurance or to replace homes that have been completely destroyed.
‘€œMany Rockland residents and businesses have been devastated by damage from the storm,” said County Executive Scott Vanderhoef. “The Federal Emergency Management Agency is moving quickly to get federal relief dollars to our area and we will continue to keep our towns, villages, residents and businesses informed throughout the recovery process.”
The Individual Assistance program is in addition to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Public Assistance Grant Program which had previously been announced.
‘€œResidents whose homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed by Irene, have a tremendous amount to deal with right now, and I am committed to helping them through these tough times in any way I can,’€ said NYS Senator David Carlucci (D – Rockland) . ‘€œWe can now take the next steps necessary to begin rebuilding our communities.’€
Residents can register at fema.gov by calling FEMA’s registration number (800) 621-3362.
“It is imperative that residents check with their insurance company, document all repairs and keep all receipts,’€ said Vanderhoef. Plans are underway for FEMA to open a Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland.
According to Carlucci’s office, FEMA provides supplemental grant assistance for:
- Debris removal
- Emergency protective measures including, warning devices, (barricades, signs, announcements,) search and rescue, security forces, (the police and national guard), construction of temporary levies, provision of shelters and emergency care, sand bagging, bracing damaged structures, food water, ice and other essential needs, emergency repairs, emergency demolition and the removal of health and safety hazards.
- The repair, replacement or restoration of disaster damaged publicly owned facilities and certain non-profit facilities.
The Individual Assistance Program is money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance.
- Money to rent an alternative place to live or government provided housing if rental properties are not available.
- Money to repair damage to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance, making the home safe, sanitary and functional.
- Money to help homeowners replace their home if it has been completely destroyed.
Families under this program would also be eligible for:
- Disaster related medical and dental costs.
- Disaster related funeral and burial costs.
- Clothing, household items like furnishings and appliances and necessary educational materials like computers, school books and supplies.
- Fuels as a primary heat source.
- Items such as wet/dry vacuum or dehumidifiers to clean up homes and businesses.
- Disaster damaged vehicles.
- Moving and storage expenses.
