GOSHEN - Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana advises those residents who were affected by Hurricane Sandy to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), by phone or on-line, in order to apply for Individual Assistance (IA) funding, which covers individual homeowners, small businesses, renters and farmers.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals or households recover from the effects of the disaster.
"A lot of our fellow friends and neighbors here in Orange County were affected by Sandy," said County Executive Diana. "It’s important that they receive the critical aid and support that they need and deserve, as is allowed under federal law."
Orange County individuals and households may begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free numbers will operate 24 hours, seven days a week until further notice.
Disaster assistance, as defined by FEMA, is financial or direct assistance to individuals and families whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally-declared disaster, and whose losses are not covered by insurance. It is meant to help those affected with expenses that cannot be covered in other ways. This assistance is not, however, intended to restore damaged property to its prior condition.
For more information, visit www.fema.gov.
