October 24, 2011

GOV. MALLOY REMINDS RESIDENTS OF NEXT WEEK'S APPROACHING FEMA DEADLINE

Applicants Must Register for Disaster Assistance by November 3

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today is reminding Connecticut residents and businesses who suffered damage or losses during Tropical Storm Irene that they have little more than one week remaining to register with FEMA. Applicants must register by Thursday, November 3 to begin the disaster assistance process.

"Residents and businesses have little more than one week left to register with FEMA to determine if they are eligible for federal disaster assistance as a result of Tropical Storm Irene," Governor Malloy said. "FEMA cannot begin the disaster assistance process until you register."

Registering with FEMA is critical, as it begins the process of evaluating for what assistance - FEMA, SBA or other programs - Connecticut residents may qualify.

To date, FEMA has approved more than $6 million in individual disaster assistance to Connecticut residents. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has also approved over $4 million in low interest disaster loans to individuals and business impacted by Tropical Storm Irene in Connecticut.

"Residents and businesses should allow FEMA to evaluate their damages and eligibility for assistance, even if they carry insurance," Governor Malloy added. "Individuals and businesses may qualify for low-interest loans and other beneficial disaster recovery programs."

Property owners faced with paying higher insurance deductibles, such as hurricane deductibles, may be eligible for federal grants or low-interest federal loans because of their higher out-of-pocket costs needed to settle their insurance claims. The higher deductibles could fall under FEMA's eligible criteria of "insurance settlement is insufficient to meet your losses." Registering with FEMA will help property owners determine if they are eligible.

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov anytime or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with a speech or hearing disability may call (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are staffed seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. local time until further notice. Help in most languages is available. Registration for federal assistance can also be made directly through web-enabled mobile devices or smartphones at m.fema.gov .

It is also important to note that residents who have already provided damage information to their towns, FEMA, state officials or 2-1-1 must still register with FEMA.

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For Immediate Release: October 24, 2011

Contact: Scott DeVico
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection
Scott.DeVico@ct.gov
860-685-8230 (office)
860-209-0334 (cell)

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy