Full-Time Sandy Recovery Position -Immediate Availability

NY State Disaster Case Management Program: Hurricane Sandy

New York State Disaster Case Management Program

HURRICANE SANDY

Background

New York State, with funding from the FEMA, is providing disaster case management (DCM) services for New Yorkers with unmet needs arising from Hurricane Sandy.  Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York is managing the DCM program, as it did following Hurricanes Irene and Lee.

The DCM program is designed to provide a locally-based disaster case manager for New Yorkers with unmet needs related to Hurricane Sandy.  By funding a coordinated network of community-based agencies, New York State hopes to provide easy access to support for residents seeking help and to avoid duplication of services. 

Catholic Charities is subcontracting with locally-based not-for-profits to provide direct services through October 2014 in the following counties:  Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the DCM program, a person must have an unmet need that arose from or was exacerbated by Hurricane Sandy.  Those that are ineligible for FEMA or other assistance programs are still eligible for the DCM program as long as they have a verifiable unmet need related to the storm. 

Program Model

• Offering information and referral services to clients that do not need, want, or qualify for DCM services;
• Accepting client inquiries by phone, in person by appointment or on a walk-in basis;
• Preparing a comprehensive assessment of client needs;
• Developing an outcomes-based individualized disaster recovery plan;
• Providing crisis intervention services where appropriate;
• Advocating to resolve unmet needs and to access available benefits and services;
• Maintaining ongoing contact with clients;
• Initiating or participating in case conferencing where needed with other service providers;
• Closing cases as appropriate, and referring clients with unmet needs to long term recovery committees in their communities;

 

Accessing Services

Through 211/311, the Catholic Charities SANDY Helpline (855-258-0483), or directly through DCM agencies.

Volunteer Disaster Chaplain Training – Metro College – Apr 2 and 3

Advisory Base Flood Elevations and new flood maps – p. 1 of 2

Advisory Base Flood Elevations and new flood maps – p. 2 of 2

Advisory Base Flood Elevation Information and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS)

FEMA has released its Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) information to help communities plan for and reduce the risk from future flooding. FEMA Region II (covering NY, NJ, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) has initiated a coastal flood study to update Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) for parts of NY and NJ.  The website www.region2coastal.com, which hosts a wide array of information, will be updated as the Region II coastal flood study continues.

 This information is crucial to those who need to rebuild after Sandy so they can build stronger and safer. It is important for property and business owners to work with their local officials to fully understand any requirements for using ABFEs and/or determining mandatory elevations in rebuilding.  On the Sandy ABFE page www.region2coastal.com/sandy/abfe, you can view interactive ABFE maps, watch video tutorials, and access guides and toolkits.  Here is a sample of some of the information available. 

• ABFE Toolkit for Property Owners http://www.region2coastal.com/sandy/abfe/property_owners
• ABFE Frequently Asked Questions http://www.region2coastal.com/faqs/advisory-bfe-faq
• ABFE Fact Sheet (also attached) http://184.72.33.183/Public/Public_Documents/Sandy_ABFE_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3010
• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3010

 

Anyone with questions or comments about ABFEs can call the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Help Center at 1-800-427-4661 or fill out the online form at http://www.region2coastal.com/contacts.

 

Please take the time to explore this website and share this information with your staff, clients, and networks.

DEADLINE 4/4: NYC Community Block Grant / Disaster Recovery / Partial Action Plan A – Comment Period

Below is the link to the NYC’s Community Development Block Grant/Disaster Recovery/Partial Action Plan-A.  This is the City’s plan for the $1.2 billion released by the Federal Government towards recovery and resiliency that will  address housing, business and infrastructure issues.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/cdbg/html/plan/read.shtml

Released on March 22^nd, the public has 14 days (deadline: April 4, 2013) to comment. 

Brooklyn Borough Hall is listed as one of many sites citywide to view this document.

For all citywide locations please review the document below.

Comments are to be made online or for more information on how people with disabilities can access and comment on Action Plan A, dial 311 or, use a TTY or Text Telephone, (212) 504-4115.

FEMA registration and SBA application deadline now 4/13/2013 (NY)

NEW YORK – At the request of the State of New York, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a 15-day extension for Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for disaster assistance.

New York survivors of Superstorm Sandy now have until April 13 to register with FEMA and to return their disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA loan applications).

Register online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Or call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The helpline is available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week.

Hurricane Sandy survivors should keep all options open for assistance in their recovery.  Registering with FEMA is a critical step.

Survivors who have delayed registration for any reason should apply for potential assistance. Registering with FEMA opens the possibility of disaster assistance provided by FEMA and its federal partner, the SBA.

New York City and the State of New York have developed plans for using federal funds to help homeowners, small businesses and communities impacted by three storms: Sandy, Irene and Lee. Those plans are being reviewed by HUD. Registration with FEMA might lead to eligibility for future grants or assistance, regardless of funding administered by New York City or the State of New York.

Survivors who register and receive an SBA low-interest disaster loan application should return the application. It might lead to additional FEMA assistance.

FEMA assistance can include:

• Rental assistance: Temporary rental assistance is provided by FEMA to assist homeowners until damaged homes can be repaired or rebuilt and to help renters until they can return to former rentals or relocate to a new residence.
• Home Repair: Grants are available to homeowners to repair disaster-related damage that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the home safe, sanitary and functional.
• Other Needs: Grants are available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage and other expenses authorized by law.

Applying for an SBA disaster loan

There’s no need to wait for an insurance settlement to apply for an SBA disaster loan, which may help if applicants later find they are underinsured.

Homeowners may be eligible for low-interest loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged home. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may be eligible to borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.

To apply for a low-interest SBA disaster loan, go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Survivors may also visit a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or a Business Recovery Center. To locate the nearest center, visit FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362.

For assistance, call the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955

(TTY 800-877-8339) or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

###

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.

 Recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

Renters! Complete and Submit SBA Loan Applications by 4/13/2013

New York renters may be eligible for additional grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To find out if renters qualify, they must complete and submit their disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

No one has to accept an SBA disaster loan. But information provided on that loan application may be used to help determine eligibility for a variety of FEMA programs that can help renters rebuild their lives.

“Renters are tightly woven into the fabric of New York and their recovery is crucial to the city’s recovery,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer in New York. “Many  renters have registered with FEMA and many of them are receiving help now.”

Renters, like homeowners, may be eligible for FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance, designed to help survivors with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. It’s important for survivors to understand that they must complete and return their SBA loan application in order to be eligible for Other Needs Assistance grants.

These grants can be used for:

• Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged in the disaster, household items such as room furnishings or appliances, and tools and equipment required by the self-employed for their jobs
• Primary vehicles and approved second vehicles damaged by the disaster
• Disaster-related medical and dental expenses
• Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses

Renters who do want an SBA loan may be eligible for a loan up to $40,000 for personal property losses.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance or an SBA disaster loan is March 29, 2013.

A simple way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting sba.gov.

Individuals can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 (Voice, 7-1-1/Relay) or TTY 800-462-7585. The phone lines operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT, seven days a week.

Sat., 3/23 – A Day of Financial Recovery: Info, Guidance, Unmet Needs Grants