WINDSOR, Conn. — Storms don’t discriminate and neither does FEMA, federal officials emphasized today.

“Everybody’s circumstances are different and people won’t all be helped the same way. But our promise is to treat everybody equally,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “We are not a law enforcement agency; we are a helping agency. That’s why we’re here.”

HUNT VALLEY, Md. – The Disaster Recovery Center in Crisfield will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 18, but survivors of hurricane Sandy still can get help.

Those who already have registered with FEMA can call FEMA’s Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. There will be outreach centers open beginning January 22, at the following locations:

DATE

Location

Hours of Operation

NEW YORK – The very reasons Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York find for not applying for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration are the very reasons they should apply – on or before the Jan. 28 deadline.

“Oh I’m not eligible and I don’t own a business.”

NEW YORK -- Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey have less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance and to return their applications for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration.

The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Ways to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

TRENTON, N.J. -- Disaster and business recovery centers in New Jersey will close for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday, Jan. 21.

The centers will return to normal hours of operation on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Disaster recovery centers are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Six business recovery centers in Monmouth, Hudson, Essex, Passaic and Union counties are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Montgomery County has been added to the Public Assistance (PA) declaration for Hurricane Sandy recovery in Pennsylvania, according to officials from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This announcement makes categories A-G of the federal Public Assistance program available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County.

NEW YORK — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey have less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance and to return their applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Ways to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

NEW YORK – As the Jan. 28, 2013 deadline to register for FEMA assistance approaches in New York, recovery officials want to make sure Hurricane Sandy survivors know that they may be able to use Temporary Rental Assistance funds to help pay for a security deposit.

CHARLESTON, W.Va – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has dispersed more than $1 million in Public Assistance to help state and local governments pay for expenses incurred as a result of October’s Hurricane Sandy massive debris cleanup, infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures.   

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hurricane Sandy survivors beware: There may be con artists trying to get their hands on your disaster assistance money or personal financial information.

After a disaster, crooks may pretend to be employed by FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration. They may try to obtain personal information such as Social Security and bank account numbers or they may promise to increase your disaster assistance grant for a fee, something a federal employee would never do.

Some consumer safety tips to remember:

TRENTON, N.J. -- Getting free advice on how to repair or rebuild your home to minimize future disaster damage is as easy as visiting your local home improvement store. Specialists from FEMA will offer their expertise on building techniques that can help protect your home, business or other property.

This free service also offers information and publications on topics such as:

HUNT VALLEY, Md. – A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center is to open January 22, at the Lower Somerset County Fire & Rescue building in Crisfield.

#2 Mill Lane

Hours

Crisfield, MD 21817

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

WINDSOR, Conn. — How can flood insurance agents become better prepared to answer the many questions policyholders ask after a big flooding disaster like Hurricane Sandy?

That dialogue is taking place between FEMA and Connecticut insurance agents as a new outreach effort begun in December continues to expand the knowledge of agents who sell National Flood Insurance Program policies.

NEW YORK – As the Jan. 28, 2012 deadline to register for FEMA assistance approaches in New York, recovery officials want to make sure survivors have all the information they need about disaster aid.

TRENTON, N.J. -- The quickest way to get a Small Business Administration disaster loan approved  is filling out an online application.

The online application is the most user-friendly way for homeowners, renters and business survivors    of Hurricane Sandy to request a loan from the SBA. An electronic loan application is a convenient alternative to visiting a disaster recovery center or mailing a paper loan application.

Regardless of the method, the deadline is the same:  Jan. 30, 2013.

NEW YORK – Disaster Recovery Centers in New York will suspend service Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The centers will resume providing assistance to Hurricane Sandy survivors Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. – The Disaster Recovery Center operating in Crisfield will close at 5 p.m. Friday, January 18.

Those affected by the disaster that still have questions about assistance or low-interest disaster loans can call the toll-free application line – 1-800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-462-7585. For more information about this disaster, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4091, or www.sba.gov/sandy.

TRENTON, N.J. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state of New Jersey will continue to help the dwindling number of families needing transitional sheltering assistance during a two-week extension of the program.

FEMA has continuously been in contact with households in the transitional sheltering program to determine their housing needs and how to help them. From those contacts, FEMA and the state of New Jersey recognized the declining need for the program.

TRENTON, N.J. -- If your house is not livable and you have insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency may be able to provide temporary housing or rent under certain circumstances. 

FEMA may be able to help if any of these situations apply: