FEMA Extension

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for Newark residents whose homes, businesses or property were damaged by Hurricane Irene and related flooding to apply for federal disaster assistance money to Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

Applications can be found on the web at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at (800) 621-3362(FEMA). Telephone lines are open from 7am to 10pm; multilingual operators are available. Residents are warned that they will not be reimbursed by FEMA if they do not file claims.

Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million in Small Business Administration Disaster Loans for physical losses and working capital needs.

FEMA will provide disaster assistance to residents for the following:
- Temporary Housing: a place to live for a limited period of time. Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available.
- Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.
- Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
- Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.
- Disaster-related medical and dental costs.
- Disaster-related funeral and burial cost.
- Clothing; household items such as room furnishings and appliances; tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).
- Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).
- Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).
- Disaster damaged vehicle.
- Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).
- Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.