Important Information:

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, disaster survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use any of the following methods:

1. By phone: 800-621-FEMA (3362). Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

2. Online: www.DisasterAssistance.gov

3. Smartphone or tablet: m.fema.gov

Homeowners, renters and businesses that need disaster help may contact the Small Business Administration directly at the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or

(TTY 800-877-8339) or go to www.sba.gov

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Renters, homeowenrs, and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly.

The Red Cross has established a call center for Hurricane Sandy at 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) for all inquiries.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are available for those whose jobs were impacted by the hurricane. That includes people not normally eligible for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed persons and farm workers. Registration closes Feb. 4, 2013; applicants should contact a New Jersey Reemployment Call Center. Locations include Union City (201-601-4100), Freehold (732-761-2020), and Cumberland (856-507-2340).

DUA applicants who need copies of Federal Income Tax Returns can obtain them at IRS Tax Returns: 1-866-562-5227, Press “1” for Hurricane Sandy.

In support of New Jersey, FEMA has transferred resources such as food, water, and fuel to the states to distribute to individuals at Points of Distribution (POD) sites. The sites are centralized points where supplies are delivered and the public picks up commodities following a disaster or emergency.  The state, in coordination with local governments, identifies the location of the PODs which are currently operating in hard-hit disaster areas. Individuals should visit local emergency management websites or contact their local emergency management office for more information. New Jersey residents can visit http://nj211.org/hurricane.cfm or call 211 to find information about FEMA assistance and how to apply, clean-up resources and local recovery efforts.

In addition to representation in all Disaster Recovery Centers and Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers, the Small Business Administration has opened Business Recovery Centers in Hackensack, Jersey City, Lincroft, Newark, Manahawkin and Piscataway.  For more information, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for TTY users) or go to www.sba.gov.

To find a disaster recovery center location, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by mobile phone at m.fema.gov. You may also text DRC and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) For example, if you lived in Atlantic City, you would text: DRC 08401.  

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Sussex County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) 

Sussex County Community College

1 College Hill Road

Newton, NJ 07860

As of 11.13.12, there have been 26 visits by disaster-affected New Jersey residents to the Sussex County DRC.

Passiac County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)

Passiac County Department of Health

317 Pennsylvania Ave.

Paterson, NJ 07503

As of 11.13.12, there have been 37 visits by disaster-affected New Jersey residents to the Passiac County DRC

Bergen County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)

1 Bergen Plaza, 4th floor

Hackensack, NJ 07652

As of 11.13.12, there have been 168 visits by disaster-affected New Jersey residents to the Bergen County DRC.

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FEMA News Release:

WATCH OUT FOR FRAUDSTERS

TRENTON, N.J - As many Garden State residents work to recover from Hurricane Sandy, state and federal officials are warning of a danger lurking around the corner:  phony building contractors and other scam artists could soon appear in your community attempting to take advantage of your vulnerability as a disaster survivor.

There are a few simple steps that you can take to make sure you’re dealing with an honest person. 

Your first and best defense is to know the most common post-disaster fraud practices.

Here are some of the fraudster’s favorites:

Phony housing inspectors: If your home’s damage is visible from the street, you may be especially vulnerable to the phony housing inspector who claims to represent FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). You should:

• Ask to see the inspector’s identification badge if he or she does not offer to show it. A FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not proof of someone’s affiliation with the government. All federal employees and contractors carry official, laminated photo identification.
• Avoid giving bank account numbers to an inspector claiming to be affiliated with the federal government. FEMA inspectors never require banking information.
• Understand that FEMA housing inspectors verify damage, but do not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. They also do not determine cost estimates.

 Fraudulent building contractors:  Damage visible from the street can also bring out sham contractors who visit your home offering to begin work immediately. They take your money and disappear, leaving behind unfinished work and unsafe homes. 

• Before hiring a contractor, check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 to make sure the contractor is registered.
• Ask for a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance and verify that the policy is valid.
• All contracts should be in writing, and reviewed before being signed.

 Fake offers of state or federal aid: If someone claiming to be from FEMA or the state visits, calls

or emails you asking for your Social Security number, bank account number or other sensitive information, beware. That information could be sold to identity thieves or used to defraud you.

A twist on this scam is the phone or in-person solicitor who promises to speed up the

insurance, disaster assistance or building-permit process. Then there are scam artists who promise

you a disaster grant and ask for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.

 Here’s what to do:

• Provide your Social Security number and banking information only when registering for FEMA assistance, either by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, or going online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via a web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov.   If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362.
• Know that federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money.  FEMA and SBA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.  If in doubt, do not give out information, and report people claiming to be government workers to local police.

Price Gouging:  Excessive price increases are illegal.  Check with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or call 800-242-5846 if you suspect prices are too high.

 Charity Scams:  Before donating, be sure to investigate to make sure the organization asking for donations is registered to solicit in New Jersey.  Ask how the money will be used.

For other questions, New Jersey residents can contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer

Affairs office at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov or by calling 800-242-5846.

#FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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News Release from New Jersey Bar Association:

NJ Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Number is LIVE!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kate Coscarelli 732.937.7548 orkcoscarelli@njsba.com<mailto:kcoscarelli@njsba.com>

Free legal hotline for storm victims opens at 9 a.m. today New Jersey State Bar Association, ABA Young Lawyers Division and FEMA help residents New Brunswick- A toll-free legal aid line is now available for people facing legal issues due to Hurricane Sandy.

Residents who cannot afford to pay an attorney can call the help line to request free legal assistance at 888-541-1900, starting at 9 a.m. today (Monday, Nov. 12).

The New Jersey State Bar Association, American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have teamed up to provide help to residents.

“Lawyers have a special obligation to give back to the community, and as the state’s largest lawyers group the New Jersey State Bar Association is dedicated to serving as a source of assistance to the public. As they have in other disasters, our volunteer attorneys are ready to help people whose lives have been forever altered by this storm,” said State Bar Association President Kevin P. McCann.

The hotline is open to residents who need legal help related to the disaster. Assistance will be available in connection with insurance-related claims, FEMA appeals, landlord-tenant matters and creditor-debtor matters.

The way the program works is:

• Through an intake process, callers will be matched with a volunteer attorney who can provide assistance or general legal information regarding their issue.

• Callers should identify that they are seeking legal assistance related to Hurricane Sandy.

• The hotline will be staffed during normal business hours, but messages can be left at any time.

The helpline is part of a long-standing partnership between FEMA and the ABA, and is administered by the New Jersey State Bar Association through its Mass Disaster Response Program.

Hours are 9-5 (M-F). Messages can be left and calls will be returned the next day.

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