State, Federal Disaster Registration Deadline For New Yorkers Oct. 30

Senator James L. Seward reminds those who were affected by the June floods that they have only one week left to register for disaster assistance.

The registration deadline for both Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance and the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program is Monday, October 30, 2006.

Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the June floods need to make two phone calls for assistance:

· For the New York State Individual and Family Grant Program, call 1-888-7-NYS-AID (1-888-769-7243) or TTY: NYS Relay 711. Lines are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. You also can register online at www.labor.state.ny.us. New York’s Helpline is 1-888-329-7540 (open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday). For Empire State Development Corp. programs, call 1-800-STATE-NY. You also may register online at www.empire.state.ny.us/flood_grant.

· For federal programs, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. You also can register online at www.fema.gov. The FEMA Helpline number is the same as the registration number: 1-800-621 3362.

New York State and FEMA join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in reminding New Yorkers seeking assistance to complete and send in their SBA loan application. The SBA disaster loans are the primary source of long-term recovery aid.

The registration period and the deadline apply to the major federal disaster declaration on July 1 that enabled residents and business owners in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster counties to register for state and federal recovery aid.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.