After an individual registers for federal disaster assistance, they receive a letter from FEMA explaining the status of their application. Survivors who receive a letter about disaster assistance should ask for help if they have questions.

Sometimes a letter from FEMA indicates a status of ineligibility. This may simply mean more information or documents are needed to better help FEMA process your application. Eligibility status can change when new information is provided. And, FEMA cannot duplicate any aid that may have come from other government sources or insurance. Survivors may need to:

• Provide records that showed the damaged property was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
• Give their insurance or other documentation to FEMA.
• Provide proof of ownership if needed.
• Return the U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan application.
• Sign all essential documents.

Don’t be discouraged: read the letter, ask questions, and ask for help.

Answers to questions about the letter can be found by:

• Visiting one of FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers. To find the most convenient location near you, go online to FEMA.gov/DRC or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA). DRCs are open Monday    - Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
• Calling the FEMA Helpline by phone or 711/VRS at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Phone lines are answered 24 hours daily. Assistance is available in most languages.
• Reviewing the “Help After Disaster” guide mailed to each applicant.

Survivors Should Submit Insurance Settlement Information

Hurricane Sandy survivors who registered with FEMA and indicated they had insurance coverage should send in their insurance settlement information as soon as they receive it. The insurance settlement documents allow FEMA to determine if you have uninsured or underinsured losses eligible for federal assistance. By law FEMA cannot provide financial assistance for losses covered by insurance or deductibles. Decisions about disaster assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To submit insurance documentation, here’s what applicants should do:

1.  Gather insurance documents and any settlement information.

2.  Write the applicant’s name, FEMA registration number and 4086-DR-NJ on each page.          

3.  Send a copy of these documents to FEMA by:

Fax:     800-827-8112

Mail:    National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

4.  Visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call FEMA with questions at 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585.

Resources for Survivors Coping With Hurricane Sandy

FEMA

FEMA Disaster Assistance Registration and Helpline:          800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 

Apply Online for Assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov 

Smartphone/Mobile Device: m.FEMA.gov/Sandy

New Jersey/FEMA Housing Resources: FEMA.gov/HousingPortal 

To Find the Nearest Disaster Recovery Center: FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or Text “DRC” and your “zip code” to 43362

U.S. Small Business Administration

Customer Service Center: 800-877-8339, TTY 800-877-8339 

Disaster Assistance Website: SBA.gov/DisasterAssistance

Secure Online Disaster Loan Application: DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela/ 

Resources for Additional Needs

New Jersey Disaster Case Management: 877-510-6762 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Clean-up Resources and Local Recovery Efforts: 211or online at NJ211.org

NJ Helps: NJhelps.org 

American Red Cross: 800-733-2767 or online at RedCross.org 

New Jersey Hope and Healing:          877-294-HELP (4357), TTY 877-294-4356 

National Disaster Stress Helpline: 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 

Missing Pets: 855-407-4787 

Disaster Legal Assistance: 888-541-1900 

Disaster Unemployment: Online at NJuifile.net

     Union City: 201-601-4100

     Freehold: 732-761-2020

     Cumberland: 856-507-2340