Addabbo Works WITH Local Financial Planners to Help Howard Beach Community Look Ahead After Sandy

Queens, NY, December 11, 2012 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), is collaborating with The New York Chapter of the Financial Planning Association (www.fpany.org), a professional organization comprised mostly of Certified Financial Planners, lawyers, insurance professionals, and its pro bono committee that is looking to give back to the community. The FPA frequently holds workshops and seminars to teach the public about finances. After Superstorm Sandy, the FPA pro bono committee put together materials to conduct local seminars and help affected residents with FEMA, insurance companies, budgeting, and many other financial issues – all free of charge. There will be no attempt to sell any products or services.

Their first local free seminar for residents recovering from Superstorm Sandy will be held on Saturday, December 15 at 1 PM in St. Helen’s Father Dooley Hall, 83-09 157^th Avenue, Howard Beach.  The workshop will cover:

1) Eligibility requirements for individual/family FPA free services -- 

a.       Use of home has been significantly impaired

b.      Business owner whose place of business has been significantly impaired

c.       Loss of work as a direct result

d.      Suffered a direct or indirect financial loss

e.       Incurred medical and/or other significant expenses (e.g., alternative housing)

f.        A family member has been injured or died

2)  The Scope of FPA free consultation services --

a.       Guidance on submitting insurance claims

b.      Guidance on working with FEMA

c.       Assist in identifying resources for services (e.g., SBA disaster loans)

d.      Tips to prevent falling victim to fraudulent services

e.       Budgeting / managing increased expenses (e.g., alternative living, clothing, medical)

f.        Debt management

g.       Tax deductions for casualty losses

h.       Advice on estate planning (medical directives, living wills, Powers of Attorney, etc.)

In addition to providing workshops at near-impact areas affected by Sandy, (Queens Library locations, community centers, etc.) on the above topics, the FPA will provide opportunities for one-on-one advice for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Said Michael Terry, CFP© of the FPA:  “We often conduct seminars to teach the public about investing, insurance, bonds, mutual funds, budgeting, and more. After witnessing the devastation wrought by Sandy to so many Queens communities, our pro bono committee just had to do something to help storm victims pick up the pieces of their lives. We believe a series of such free seminars and personal consultations held in Queens, downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island will really help those with such great need right now to look ahead and move on.”

# # #