Westchester Insider: Westchester County Legislator Ruth Walter 15th District: Major Disaster Declared; Federal Aid Available for Residents, Small Businesses.

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

Westchester residents who suffered property damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, following President Joe Biden's Major Disaster Declaration for our area on Monday.

FEMA and New York State have been on the ground evaluating damages for about 3 days.

FEMA will be able to offer financial assistance to residents through ‘individual assistance’ programs.

Please make sure you are carefully documenting all damage in writing and with photographs, receipts and other documentation.

FEMA will set up Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) where people can file claims for assistance in communities which are particularly damaged. The County is working with FEMA to organize DRCs throughout the county as well as mobile DRCs where residents can file online or remotely.

Those eligible for assistance are impacted residents with eligible disaster related losses.

• Damage must have occurred during the incident period of the declaration and be a direct result of the incident.
• Eligible losses include non-insured damage/loss to primary residence, damage/loss to eligible personal property.

For more information, and to view the FEMA individual assistance application and required application information please visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

If you need further information or assistance you may also call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. This number is also for users of 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS). TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585. Helpline services are available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET.

Small businesses recovering from Ida damage may also qualify for disaster loan assistance from the Small Business Administration.  For information please visit https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339)

Residents who need housing assistance should reach out to the County Department of Social Services.  If you have a housing emergency you may call 914-995-2099.

More information about aid is also available from Governor Kathy Hochul's office.  Please visit https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/governors-relief-and-response-resources to learn more.

As we get additional information we will let you know.

Please forward this E-News to family and friends who may be interested in this information.

Sincerely,