Dutchess residents get 60-day grace period for federal support after Ida storm damage

NEW YORK — It’s been four months since the remnants of Hurricane Ida impacted the state and our region. To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program have disbursed nearly half a billion dollars to help New Yorkers recover and rebuild.

Nearly 40,000 New Yorkers from the Bronx, Kings County, Queens, Richmond County, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester Counties have been approved for FEMA disaster assistance since the Sept. 5, 2021 major disaster declaration. Orange County was added to the declaration on Dec. 1.

As of Jan. 5. FEMA approved $191.1 million for housing and other essential storm-related needs under the Individual Assistance program. This amount includes $171.9 million approved for temporary housing, rental assistance, home repair and replacement for eligible survivors  and $19.2 million approved for other needs assistance, which can help eligible survivors pay for medical and dental expenses, childcare and other disaster-related necessary expenses.

The Small Business Administration has approved 4,010 home and business loans for a total of more than $196.5 million to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover. SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds. The low-interest loans extend to homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofits.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $110.1 million to New York policyholders and closed 3,032 claims for flood damage caused by the storm.

The application period for Dutchess County residents ended on Jan. 4, however, individuals from Dutchess and eight other counties have a 60-day grace period to submit late applications. To do so, a letter must be sent to FEMA explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevented the application from being sent during the standard period.

To apply for FEMA assistance, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Applying for an SBA loan assures that all available disaster assistance options remain open to you. If you are not eligible for an SBA loan, this may open the door to additional assistance from FEMA.

Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at www.DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more information, email DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov.

For more information on the recovery effort, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4615. Follow FEMA on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion2 and at facebook.com/fema.