NEW YORK – There is good news for tenants who were affected by the devastating passage of Hurricane Ida, as FEMA has created a guide to clarify certain questions about whether or not you can receive much-needed federal assistance.
Renters in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties who suffered damage, loss, or are unable to live in their homes after Hurricane Ida may be eligible for assistance for disaster of FEMA and the Federal Small Business Development Agency (SBA).
FEMA ANSWERS COMMON QUESTIONS
Question: I am a tenant; Can I apply for FEMA assistance?
Answer: Yes, renters can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA. If you have renters insurance, you must call your insurance provider to file a claim. If you are insured, you must provide your insurance information, which may include a settlement or denial.
Question: As a tenant, what types of help might I be eligible for?
Answer: FEMA can provide financial rental assistance to pre-disaster renters to rent temporary alternate housing if they are displaced from their primary residence. Rental assistance can be used to cover monthly rental expenses (including lot rent, if applicable) and the cost of essential utilities such as gas, electricity, water, gasoline, trash removal, and plumbing. Assistance excludes telephone, cable, television or internet service bills for the dwelling unit.
Question: Can I use my rental assistance grant to stay in a hotel or motel?
Answer: The funds can be used to temporarily stay elsewhere, including a hotel or motel. FEMA provides eligible applicants with initial rental assistance equal to the Fair Market Rate (FMR) for the area in which the home is located before the disaster and the number of rooms the family requires.
Question: I have stayed in a hotel and paid for it myself, can I get a refund for the expenses?
Answer: FEMA may provide reimbursement for lodging expenses to applicants who incur out-of-pocket lodging expenses due to damages affecting the habitability of their primary residence. Eligible expenses may include the cost of the room and taxes charged by a hotel or other lodging provider.
Question: My personal property was damaged, is financial assistance available for my losses?
Answer: Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be eligible for assistance in the category subject to SBA eligibility. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) subject to SBA eligibility includes personal property assistance.
Tenants may also qualify for assistance with essential personal property and other disaster-related expenses. These may include the replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks, or school supplies; replacement or repair of tools and other work-related equipment; vehicle repair; and medical / dental bills.
Question: Do you have to pay back the FEMA aid?
Answer: No. FEMA grants are grants and do not have to be repaid. They are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Question: How do I apply for FEMA assistance?
Answer: Disaster-damaged survivors in counties designated for Individual Assistance can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. People using a relay service, such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel, should tell FEMA their specific number assigned to that service.
For the latest information, visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4611. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMAregion2.
Due to current disaster activity, we are experiencing a high volume of calls. You can request assistance and check status of your case online.
IMPORTANT
Once you have applied for FEMA assistance, your case will be reviewed. FEMA says its agents will not be able to provide information on assessing your damages. A FEMA inspector will call you to schedule an appointment to assess the damage to your property. It is vital to continue to monitor the status of your case online.
FEMA Helpline agents are available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern time, 7 days a week by calling:
- 1-800-621-3362 (711 or VRS available),
- TTY 1-800-462-7585
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