FEMA: November 30 Last Day to Apply for Storm-Related Aid

Disaster Registration Deadline Is November 30, 2011

Anyone who suffered disaster-related damage or loss should register for federal and state disaster aid. Registration may be completed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by smartphone through m.fema.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 800-621-3362 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

Free Legal Assistance

A FEMA agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association (ABA) provides free legal assistance to qualified survivors of disasters.  This assistance helps survivors navigate issues like insurance claims, landlord/tenant concerns, aid with repair contracts and replacement of wills and other important legal document destroyed in the disaster.

New Jersey residents who cannot afford an attorney can call the legal-aid helpline at 888-541-1900 to leave a message requesting free legal assistance related to Hurricane Irene.

Disaster Recovery Center for Essex County

Fairfield Community Center,

376 Hollywood Ave.

Fairfield, NJ 07004

This facility is no longer be open on Saturdays. Regular business hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Federal Disaster Assistance Includes Right Of Appeal

Some New Jersey residents who registered for federal disaster assistance due to Hurricane Irene may not qualify for aid. An appeals process can ensure those affected by the storm will receive all aid to which they are legally eligible.

Applicants will be notified in approximately 10 days after registration as to whether or not they are eligible for federal aid. If they are determined to be ineligible for assistance, residents will learn from the letter what steps to take to appeal the decision if they feel that they have damages that have not been addressed.

Appeals must be made in writing and sent by mail or faxed to FEMA within 60 days of the date of the letter of determination. The appeal should include new or missing information, documents and damage repair estimates that support the appeal request.

Mail appeals to:

FEMA – Appeals Officer National Processing Service Center PO Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

Appeals may be faxed to: 800-827-8112

Additional Information From FEMA

Patch recently recieved a notification from the mayor's office via FEMA that stated, "It has been brought to our attention that there is a need for us to let you know that FEMA never, ever charges a fee for its services."

A link to a FEMA website was included in the release, for members of the public seeking further information.

In response to the news alert, Paul Brubaker, press secretary to Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) told Patch, "FEMA is funded by the federal government, and the federal government is funded by tax payers.  [Therefore] FEMA doesn't accept money for helping people in a state of emergency."

Brubaker added, "If you're approached by someone [seeking money after the storm] it is probably not a FEMA person."