CURRAN & SANTINO CALL FOR EXTENSION OF REVIEW DEADLINE FOR SANDY VICTIMS AFTER 60 PERCENT OF CASES HAVE BEEN UNDERPAID

Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.) and Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino recently called for extension of the September 15, 2015 federal review deadline for homeowners whose properties were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have already called for an extension of the sign-up deadline, which is overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

According to local reporting, which cited the federal review, “more than half of homeowners who asked to have their settlements re-examined were underpaid by an average of nearly $16,000.” The article further states that “the preliminary findings, based on about 550 claims, mark the first time Washington has produced evidence that appears to confirm that underpayments to policyholders were widespread after the 2012 storm.”

“I’ve been working closely with Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino on this and on behalf of the 142,000 other eligible homeowners who haven’t yet signed-up for this review, we are asking FEMA to respectfully extend this deadline,” said Curran, who has been a vocal advocate and supporter for Superstorm Sandy victims. “The current federal review was only a small sample-set, and if there is this much discrepancy with the data than there will be at least as many – if not more – claims that were underpaid.”

According to the same report, FEMA launched the review in May after homeowners accused private companies hired by the federal government of forging documents to deny settlements. The allegations have led to a criminal probe and the departure of two top flood insurance officials.

Curran said that he and Senior Councilman Santino have made a formal written request to William Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting an extension.

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