FEMA, SBA Deadlines Extended Again

Residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy now have until May 1 to register for individual disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to a prepared statement from the governor's office. 

The deadline extension also applies for homeowner, renter, and business registration with the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Disaster Loan Assistance.

Businesses applying for SBA Economic Injury loans still have until July 31 to apply. The loans are for businesses that did not suffer any physical damage, but lost revenue in Sandy's aftermath.

State and federal offiicials have urged all residents and businesses affected by the storm, whether it was through flooding, wind damage or loss of business  revenue, to register with FEMA and SBA.

With this extension, the FEMA and SBA registration periods will now remain open for a full six months after Superstorm Sandy made landfall in New Jersey.

“It is vitally important for people to know that the FEMA individual assistance registration process is essential to receiving any type of federal disaster assistance – including grant assistance for homeowners and renters as outlined in our CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) disaster relief action plan.  This deadline will help us ensure that every affected New Jerseyan gets registered,” said Gov. Christie in the statement. 

“Registering with FEMA is the first step and most important gateway for families to obtain relief across a host of federal and state relief plans including individual assistance for losses due to Sandy and programs to help rebuild or reconstruct to safer standards, and for businesses to access low interest loans and grant programs to get back up and running.

"It is crucial that individuals register with FEMA - FEMA can provide disaster assistance for individuals and families that can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance," the statement says.

People with storm losses in all counties can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov and via smart phone or tablet here.

Survivors also can register by phone or 711/VRS by calling 800-621-3362, TTY800-462-7585.

At the request of the state, FEMA extended the registration deadline another 30 days due to the magnitude of the storm disaster.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the SBA, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.