FEMA Extends Assistance Registration Deadline One Month

At the request of the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is extending the registration deadline for renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene.

Those affected by the storm and flooding from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5 now have until Nov. 30 to register for disaster assistance.

“We've extended the registration deadline for people who – for whatever reason – have not had the opportunity to register for assistance,” said William L. Vogel, FEMA's federal coordinating officer. “The goal is to ensure all eligible Irene survivors have the chance to seek assistance.”

There are three ways to register – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, m.fema.govor call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-3362 (FEMA).  Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.

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.

To date, FEMA has approved more than $140 million in assistance to disaster survivors, while the SBA has approved more than $48 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations.

Applicants are reminded to keep their FEMA information updated, but not to register more than once. Duplicate registrations will delay processing an application.