October 8, 2001—Disaster assistance for Delaware, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties has been made available to help businesses, renters, and homeowners recover from the effects of the World Trade Center attack, the head of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on September 28.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the assistance was approved based on a determination of widespread adverse affects of the catastrophe on residents in the ten added counties. This amendment to the major disaster declaration signed by President Bush on September 11 brings to 15 the total of New York counties (including the five boroughs of New York City: Bronx, Kings [Brooklyn], New York [Manhattan], Queens, and Richmond [Staten Island]) now eligible for individual assistance from the federal government.
Affected residents and business owners in the 15 designated counties may apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number, 800/462-9029 (TTY 800/462-7585), between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. Registration operators also are able to provide information on and referrals to the many programs and services now available to disaster victims through the New York State Crime Victims Board, 800/247-8035 (TTY 1-888-289-9747), and other local and volunteer agencies. Translation services are available to accommodate the needs of all language groups.
The wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs now available to New Yorkers affected by the WTC attack includes: funding for temporary housing; US Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property; disaster unemployment assistance; crisis counseling; and grants to meet serious needs and necessary expenses not met by other programs.
