FEMA Relief Information for WTC Victims, Sept 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Aid to help on the road to recovery Individuals and business owners who suffered SOCIAL SECURITY VOLUNTEER AGENCY losses because of the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, BENEFITS SERVICES may be eligible for some of the following types Help is provided to speed the delivery The American Red Cross has established a gift of assistance. To register for FEMA assistance, of checks delayed by the disaster and program for families of the WTC and Pentagon to apply for Social Security disability attacks. Grants are available for mortgage and call 800-462-9029 (TTY: 800-462-7585). and survivor benefits. rental assistance, transportation, ftmeral costs DISASTER HOUSING and other uncovered expenses. The Salvation CRISIS COUNSELING Army and other religious groups also are ASSISTANCE Referral services and short-term intervention counseling are available providing disaster assistance. Help is available from FEMA for renters and homeowners whose primary residences were for emotional and mental health problems associated with the disaster. Unemployed because damaged or destroyed, or who face displacement Cal! 800-LlFENET (543-3638); Spanish from their home. Assistance can include grants speakers should call 877-AYUDESE of ■ the ■'disaster?.;/' for alternate rental housing, money for emer­ (298-3373) or the mental health referral gency repairs to make a home livable or mortgage numbers listed on page 6. The fedeMDisastefOaeinployinent < 5 " - or rental assistance. Assistance (DUA) program may provide TAX ASSISTANCE you with a weekly check ifyou have; ' The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) become mempteyed or have suffered a loss HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY allows federal income tax deductions of income due to the disaster, Theprdgwi' DISASTER LOANS for underinsured or uninsured casualty is designed to help the self-employed and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) losses on homes, personal property, and others not normally eligible for unemploy- disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to household goods. Those eligible may mentmsurance. . , homeowners for real estate repairs. Renters and file amended returns for the previous homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 to year to recieve early refunds. What Is the first thing I need to do? replace personal property losses. To register, Call (he state/federal toll-6ee application FRAUD PROTECTION manber800-462-9029 (TTY800-462-7585 call FEMA (800-462-9029); for more detailed Complaints of fraud or other misrepre­ information, see page 5. for the speech-and hearing-impaired). sentation may be filed with the New York State Dept, of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs or the city Con­ Who will process my applicatloB? INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY sumer Protection Board, (800-697- Your local unemployment office processes GRANT PROGRAM 1220). your application, determines your Grants may be made to meet disaster-related eligibility and disburses checks.' serious needs or necessary expenses not covered LEGAL SERVICES by other assistance programs or insurance. You Legal assistance and/or referrals may How often are payments made? must first register with FEMA, and you will be available by calling a hotline staffed Disaster unemployment assistance can automatically be referred to this program if you by the Yo'ung Lawyer’s Division of the provide weekly benefits for up to 26 ? • qualiiy. New York State Bar Association — weeks following the date of the declaration 866-606-0626. of the disaster. BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS INSURANCE INFORMATION Businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organiza­ How do I knowif l am eligible for Assistance is available from the New benefits? tions may borrow up to $ 1.5 million from the York State Dept, of Insurance on You may be if you'are: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to matters such as expediting settle­ (out of work as a result of the' fiind repairs or replacement of real estate, ments, obtaining copies of lost disaster; machinery and equipment, inventory and otlier policies, verifying losses and filing (self'employed or seasonal worker assets. For small businesses, SBA makes claims. Call 800-339-1759. with income substantially affected econoniic-injuiy loans available for working due to the disaster; capital to pay necessary obligations. Eligible VETERANS BENEFITS ' (ah employee not covered by any businesses can be in the declared as well as Information is available about ben­ other unemployment ^ cbmpensatioh; ' efits, pensions, insurance and VA (a survivor who, as a result of the: contiguous counties. See page 5 for additional mortgage loans. Call 800-827-1000. disaster, becomes a head of household. information. VICTIMS BENEFITS Is disaster nnemployinent assistance The New York State Crime Victims the only way to get help? CONSUMER SERVICES Board provides a'wards for victims of You may he eligible for other disaster Help is available from the Consusmer Protection the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Call 1- assistance programs. To find out, caU 800- Board to file consumer complaints about dis­ 800-247-8035 for more information 462-9029. (TTY 800-462-7585 for the ; reputable business practices and other problems. on the closest CVB office. speech- and hearing-impaired). ■ CaU 800-697-1220.

United We Stand - 3

NYC-WTC_000142179