$2.4 Billion In FEMA Public Assistance Grants For Hurricane Sandy Recovery

Over a year has passed since Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on Long Island, New Jersey and the greater New York surrounding areas.  According to FEMA.gov, since Hurricane Sandy struck, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $2.4 billion in Public Assistance grants to reimburse local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits for costs associated with emergency response, debris removal and repairing or rebuilding public facilities in New York. 

But what about aid to the thousands of home and property owners affected and displaced by Hurricane Sandy's aftermath? 

Assistance to Individuals and Households

FEMA offers property owners affected by Hurricane Sandy through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), which provides financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet the needs through other means. Up to the IHP maximum is available in financial help (adjusted each year), although some forms of IHP assistance have limits. Flood insurance may be required to participate in this program. 

The following forms of help are available: 

• Housing Assistance (including Temporary Housing, Repair, Replacement, and Semi‐Permanent or Permanent Housing Construction) 
• Other Needs Assistance (including personal property and other items) 

FEMA home repair Reimbursements

FEMA has made funding available to homeowners for repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. Their goal is to repair the home to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition. FEMA may provide up to the IHP maximum for home repair; then the homeowner may apply for a Small Business Administration disaster loan for additional repair assistance. FEMA will not pay to return a home to its condition before the disaster. Flood insurance may be required if the home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. - FEMA.gov

FEMA replacement items include:

• Structural parts of a home (foundation, outside walls, roof);
  
• Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinetry;
  
• Septic or sewage system;
  
• Well or other water system;
  
• Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system;
  
• Utilities (electrical, plumbing, and gas systems);
  
• Entrance and exit ways from the home, including privately owned access roads, and;
  
• Blocking, leveling and anchoring of a mobile home and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical and fuel lines and tanks.
  

A full FAQ on FEMA's disaster recovery assistance program is located on their website; www.FEMA.gov. As a distributor and supplier of helical piles and piers, North Eastern Pile is dedicated to rebuilding our community and providing contractors with quality foundation anchoring materials and equipment used in the home elevating process.