FEMA Extends New York Deadlines to Register for Disaster Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the registration deadline for anyone who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee this summer.

Those affected by either storm now have until

Dec. 15 to register for federal disaster assistance.

To register, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

Disaster assistance to individuals could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property.