How to apply for FEMA disaster assistance if you were flooded by Hurricane Ida

By Austin Havens-Bowen | September 14, 2021 - 9:30AM

If you’re a New York State homeowner dealing with flood damage caused by Hurricane Ida, you might be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance.

Homeowners in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester counties are eligible for direct relief from FEMA as of September 12th.

You can apply online or call 800-621-3362 through the disaster assistance program. Before you call, be prepared with information including your address, total household income, a list of damages and losses, insurance company information (if you’re covered), and bank information for a direct deposit.

FEMA does not pay for damages already covered by insurance, so if you have homeowners insurance, you should file a claim with your insurer first.

After you apply, you will be given an appointment for a property damage inspection, which is free, within a few days. You will then receive a follow-up letter from FEMA explaining your assistance and possibly loan applications.

The aid you receive varies, but may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property damage, and other programs for assistance according to New York’s Department of Financial Services.

You can also go to the in-person Mobile Command Centers for help with insurance, suggestions on how to document your losses, and protect your property going forward. You can call 800-339-1759 or check out the @NYDFS Twitter page for current MCC locations.

For more information on applying for disaster relief, check out FEMA’s guide, which is available in 27 languages.

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Austin Havens-Bowen

Staff Writer

Staff writer Austin Havens-Bowen covers the rental market and answers renters' questions in a column called Realty Bites. He previously reported on local news for the Queens Ledger and The Hunts Point Express in the Bronx. He graduated from Hunter College with a BA in media studies. He rents a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria with his boyfriend and their two cats.

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