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Montgomery
County residents must register to get FEMA aid
SEPT. 23, 2011 - Montgomery County
residents who suffered damages as a result of Hurricane Irene
are reminded that they must register to receive assistance from
the Federal Emergency Management Agency officials.
The county – part of the HFM BOCES supervisory district – is
among those hard-hit by flooding that have been tagged to
receive federal disaster aid in the form of Individual
Assistance.
Through Individual Assistance, residents may apply for temporary
housing assistance or housing repair; U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for
individuals, renters and businesses to repair or replace damaged
property; disaster unemployment assistance; grants for serious
needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.
Albany-based Federal Coordinating Officer Philip Parr said
residents should call FEMA’s toll-free number, 800-621-3362 or
register online at
DisasterAssistance.gov.
Applicants can expect to receive a call within 10 days from a
FEMA inspector to set up an appointment. The applicant or
someone at least 18 years old who lived in the home before the
incident occurred must be present when the inspection takes
place.
FEMA inspectors are contracted independent experts qualified to
assess damages to buildings and other property that might have
been damaged in the storm and subsequent flooding. All
inspectors carry official identification, and applicants are
urged to write down the badge number of the inspector who visits
for future reference.
An inspector will not determine whether an applicant or the
damaged property qualify for federal assistance. That
determination is made by FEMA Individual Assistance personnel
after reviewing the inspector’s report.
There is no charge for the inspection, and applicants must
provide documented proof of ownership (for homeowners) and
permanent occupancy (for both homeowners and renters) such as a
utility bill or copy of a rental lease.
To take a pre-screening questionnaire, apply for assistance or
check the status of an application, visit online at
www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Montgomery County was also approved to receive aid for Public
Assistance. Applications for Public Assistance can be submitted
for emergency work such as debris removal and emergency
protective measures; for permanent work including repair of
roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and
equipment, utilities and parks, recreational facilities and
other public items and places.
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