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Dear Neighbor,

I am writing to update you on the upcoming application deadline for FEMA assistance for Hurricane Ida-related damages, which is Monday, December 6th.

From the day this storm hit, I have advocated for robust FEMA funds to our district, and am relieved that these efforts have helped drive over $80 million to Bronx and Westchester residents. I am continuing to advocate for a just recovery. I know that many are still in the process of collecting the necessary materials to apply, which is why I am advocating to extend this deadline and urging FEMA to remedy issues with low payments so each member of our community has what they need to fully recover. I have heard from many of you that the funding being provided from FEMA is not enough to fix the damages from Hurricane Ida. That’s why I sent a letter to FEMA calling for increased financial assistance to go further and help our community members recover faster. In addition to that, I am calling on FEMA to extend the application deadline so our community has more time to apply.  I look forward to working closely with FEMA on this issue in the coming days. 

If you are looking for assistance or have any questions about federal relief, please do not hesitate to reach out. Please email bowman.casework@mail.house.gov or call the numbers below to get in touch with a member of my casework team. My office offers 1:1 consultations, and we are here to help.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Monday, December 6th. If your property or belongings were damaged during the storm and you have not yet applied for FEMA assistance, I encourage you to apply before Monday. To apply for assistance, you can visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired). Si necesita ayuda en español, visita https://www.fema.gov/es. You can also download the FEMA app to submit your application for disaster assistance. Representatives from the U.S Small Business Administration will be available to explain how to apply for low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. 

FEMA provides funds paid directly to eligible individuals and households. Financial Housing Assistance may include rental assistance, lodging expenses reimbursement, home repair assistance, and replacement assistance. All are explained as follows:

• Rental Assistance is financial assistance for homeowners and renters for temporary housing if Hurricane Ida displaced them from their primary residence.

• Lodging Expense Reimbursement is reimbursement for out-of-pocket temporary lodging expenses that resulted from damage that made their primary residence uninhabitable. Eligible lodging expenses may include the cost of the room and any associated taxes.

• Home Repair Assistance is financial assistance for homeowners to repair their primary residences, utilities servicing the primary residence, and residential infrastructure leading to their Hurricane Ida-damaged property.

• Replacement Assistance is financial assistance for any homeowner whose primary residence was destroyed by Hurricane Ida and can be applied to the purchase of a new permanent residence.

• Other Needs Assistance is financial assistance for other disaster-caused expenses and immediate needs. This assistance may include funds to replace personal property, moving and storage expenses, transportation assistance, funeral, medical, dental, childcare, and miscellaneous disaster-related items. 

Applicants for FEMA disaster assistance should have the following information before they apply: 

1. Social Security number; 
2. address of the damaged primary residence; 
3. insurance information; 
4. current telephone number and mailing address; 
5. bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

FEMA Appeals: 

If FEMA informs you that you are ineligible for assistance or if you feel the amount of assistance received is not enough to help you recover, you can appeal the determination. Survivors must submit an appeal within 60 days of receiving the notification letter from FEMA. It may be that you need to provide additional information.

• Upload your signed appeal letter to www.disasterassistance.gov or mail it to FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055, or drop it off in person at your nearest Disaster Recovery Center. Be sure to include:

• Full name

• Current address

• Phone  number

• Pre-disaster address

• Signature

• Registration number and FEMA disaster declaration number

• Along with your appeal letter, you need to provide supporting documentation which can include materials such as contractor estimates, any receipts or an insurance denial or settlement letter.

• For frequently asked questions on the FEMA appeals process, you can visit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-answers-appeals-process-qa

Disaster Recovery Center 

At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can apply for FEMA disaster assistance, check the status of your application and get information about other resources available.

The Westchester County Disaster Recovery Center has hours that mirror the Mamaroneck Public Library, where it is housed:

• Mamaroneck Public Library, 136 Prospect Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
• 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
• 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Closed Sundays 

A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center is also open daily from 10am-6pm in New Rochelle.

• City Hall Annex, Room B1, 90 Beaufort Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801

U.S. Small Business Administration:

If you were affected by Hurricane Ida, you have 4 days left to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The deadline for SBA loan applications is Monday, Dec. 6. Homeowners and renters can apply for a loan to repair your home or to replace personal property. If you are approved for a loan, you do not have to accept it. If you are not eligible for a loan, SBA will refer you back to FEMA, which may open the door to assistance under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program. Homeowners, renters and businesses that were affected by Hurricane Ida may apply for disaster loans using SBA’s secure website: https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. For more information, applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

Food Assistance: 

If you are struggling to feed your family as a direct result of Hurricane Ida, there are many community and charitable organizations standing ready to help. Visit Feeding New York State at https://feedingnys.org/ for a list of food pantries in your community.

Mitigating against winter hazards:

Winter storms and below-freezing temperatures can cause power outages and frozen pipes. Consider adding weather stripping, caulking windows and insulating pipes to keep your heat in and cold weather out. If you are unable to pay your heating bills or make important energy-related home repairs, contact the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program at 866-674-6327 for help. Find more tips on preparing for winter weather and other emergencies at Ready.gov.

Get More Information:

• For additional online resources as well as FEMA downloadable pamphlets and other aids, visit DisasterAssistance.gov and click “Information.”

• For referrals to agencies that support community-specific needs, call 211 or visit 211nys.org/contact-us. New York City residents can call 311.