Hurricane Sandy Emergency Relief Resource Guide

Dear Neighbor,

As we all try to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Sandy, I want you to know that my office should be your first stop for storm-related assistance. We have seen many of our neighbors displaced or living without power for weeks, and a number of businesses we have all come to rely upon destroyed. My staff and I are here to help you with any questions you may have, and the information here will serve as a helpful resource guide.

You are also welcome to visit my temporary community office at 2658 Coney Island Avenue (between Avenues W and X), Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Fridays until 5 p.m. The phone number remains unchanged - (718) 743-4078, and you can always email me at cymbros@assembly.state.ny.us.

Together, we will make it through this difficult time.

FEMA: Homeowners, renters or businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy, may apply for federal disaster assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-621-FEMA). You MUST register with FEMA in order to find out what you may qualify for.

MAYOR'S OFFICE / NYC RAPID REPAIRS: NYC Rapid Repairs is sending licensed contractors/inspectors into damaged neighborhoods. Sign up at www.NYC.gov or call 311. You will need a FEMA ID number.

NYS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES: DFS is at Kingsborough Community College, V219 Terrace Room, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - F to help with Sandy-related insurance claims/questions.

CABLEVISION: For credit, wait until service is restored and then call the number on your bill or visit www.optimum.net/credit.

CON ED: The Con Ed command center is located at the Gravesend Social Security Office - NYC Restoration Center, 10 Bouck Court between West Third St. and Shell Road from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

CONEY ISLAND HOSPITAL: CI Hospital should be fully operational by January and currently provides urgent care services, primary care and specialty clinics. Call (718) 616-6360 for information. For prescription info, call (718) 794-6712 and (718) 794-6641.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE:

• Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance has been activated for New Yorkers whose jobs were impacted by the storm. For more information, go to www.Disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.

• NYS Department of Labor Disaster Unemployment Insurance: If you lost your income due to Sandy, you may qualify even if you would not normally be able to get unemployment insurance benefits. Call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124. The application deadline is February 4, 2013.

FOOD STAMPS (SNAP): Automatic 50 percent boost for recipients who live in affected areas. Call the toll-free NYS Temporary Assistance Hotline at 1-800-342-3009: http://otda.ny.gov/news/SNAP-replacements.pdf

FREE LEGAL SERVICES: Free legal services for low-income disaster victims through the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. (800) 699-5636 or http://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/disaster_legal_services.html.

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE RESOURCE GUIDE: Info on assistance available to disaster victims. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2194.pdf

NATIONAL GRID: www.nationalgridus.com for storm-related information, including service credit.

NYC DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS: DOB is waiving application/permit fees for work done on storm-damaged buildings. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/fee_exempt_hurricane_work.pdf

NYS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: Visit www.nycedc.com for info on sales tax exemptions for the purchase of building materials/machines and programs for storm-damaged businesses. NYCEDC has a Business Solutions Center at 9 Bond Street, 5th Floor, 347-296-8021.

PRICE GOUGING: File complaints of observed price gouging following Hurricane Sandy. http://www.ag.ny.gov/hurricane-sandy-price-gouging-complaint-form

TRANSITIONAL SHELTERING ASSISTANCE (TSA): For eligible disaster survivors who cannot return to their homes for an extended period of time. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES

• First Step: If you are a business owner/landlord, go to www.nyc.gov/nycbusiness. Info on emergency small business loans and other available programs.

• U.S. Small Business Administration: Info on loans for small businesses and condo associations and locations of Business Recovery Centers. 800-659-2955 or visit www.sba.gov.

• Homeowners/Renters: Low-interest loans to replace personal property or refinance a mortgage. http://www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-homeowners-and-renters

• New York Bankers Association and New York Business Development Corporation: Business owners can apply for loans. www.esd.ny.gov or call 1-855-NYS-SANDY.

USPS / MAIL DELIVERY/CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you've relocated, don't forget to submit a change of address, put mail on hold or request that mail be temporarily forwarded to a new location.

VOLUNTEERING: Go to www.nyc.gov/service.

WARMING CENTERS: Nearest locations are below. If you need an overnight shelter, intakes and referrals are being accepted at FDR High School, 5800 20th Avenue.

• Council Center For Senior Citizens, 1001 Quentin Road, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• JASA Shorefront Senior Center, 3300 Coney Island Avenue, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Jay-Harama Senior Center, 2600 Ocean Avenue, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Marlboro Senior Center, 2298 West 8th Street, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Midwood Senior League Satellite, 1625 Ocean Avenue, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Ocean Parkway Senior Citizens Center, 1960 East 7th Street, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sephardic Senior Center, 482-485 Kings Highway, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Young Israel of Midwood Senior Center, 1694 Ocean Avenue, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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