FEMA relief publication, Sept 29, 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, funeral costs DISASTER HOUSING and other uncovered expenses. The Salvation CRISIS COUNSELING Army and other religious groups also are ASSISTANCE Referral services and short-terrn 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 damaged or destroyed, or who face displacement problems associated with the disaster. Call 800-LlFENET (543-3638); Spanish Unemployed because 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 federal Disaster Unemployment or rental assistance. Assistance (DUA) program may provide TAX ASSISTANCE you with a weekly check if you have The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) become unemployed or have suffered a loss HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY allows federal income tax deductions of income due to the disaster. The program DISASTER LOANS for underinsured or uninsured casualty is designed to help the self-employed and | U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) !osse.s on homes, personal property, and others not normally eligible for iinemploy- | disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to household goods. Those eligible may merit insurance. 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 the state/federal toll-free application { FRAUD PROTECTION number 800-462-9029 (TTY 800-462-7585 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 I Who will process my application ? INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY I Your local unemployment otfree processes GRANT PROGRAM sumer Protection Board, (800-697- 1220). I your application, determines your Grants may be made to meet disaster-related I 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 I 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 Young Lawyer’s Division of the provide weekly benefits for up to 26 qualify. 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 (Io I know if I 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 (SB A) 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 other policies, verifying losses and filing (self employed or a seasonal worker assets. For small businesses, SBA makes claims. Call 800-339-1759. with income substantially affected economic-injury loans available for working due to the disaster; capital to pay necessary obligations. Eligible VETERANS BENEFITS (an employee not covered by any bu.sinesses can be in the declared as well as Information is available about ben­ other unemployment compensation; efits, pensions, insurance and VA (a survivor who, as a result of tlie contiguous counties. See page 5 for additional mortgage loans. Call 800-827-1000. disaster, becomes a head of household. information. VICTIMS BENEFITS Is disaster unemployment assistance The New York State Crime Victims the only way to get help? CONSUMER SERVICES Board provides awards for victims of You may be eligible for other disaster Help is available from the Consusmer Protection the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Call 1- assistance programs. To find out, call 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). Call 800-697-1220.

United We Stand - 3

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