N.Y. Residents Receive More than $22M in Assistance

Disaster recovery assistance from early April flooding in New York has reached more than $22 million, according to state and federal officials.

In all, 3,415 New Yorkers registered for assistance. Total assistance to residents, business owners and government agencies has reached $22,293,348. The registration period has ended.

Aid to individuals and businesses

Renters, homeowners and business owners in Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Orange, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster were made eligible to register for state and federal help with disaster related damages.

The Individual and Households Program (IHP) includes Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance. A total of $7,875,624 in IHP assistance has been granted.

Housing Assistance may include repair assistance and temporary rental assistance. The total for housing has reached $5,026,897. Other Needs Assistance covers medical, dental and funeral expenses; furniture, clothing and certain appliances; vehicle costs, and other eligible expenses. That program has granted a total of $2,740,867.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low interest disaster loans to renters, homeowners and businesses. To date, SBA has issued 2,572 residential low interest disaster loan applications and 582 business applications for New Yorkers who suffered flood damage. A total of $7,234,600 in loans has been approved.

Public assistance

The disaster declaration made 20 counties — Broome, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Greene, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster and Westchester — eligible for the public assistance program. The program provides reimbursements to government units and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency protective measures taken in response to the storms and flooding, the repair of damaged infrastructure and for disaster related debris removal.

To date, 562 requests for public assistance have been received and FEMA has approved $7,183,124 in reimbursements for eligible disaster related costs.