Pallone Announces FEMA Briefings for State and Local Governments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2011

Long Branch, N.J. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Tuesday announced a schedule of public assistance applicant briefings to be conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The briefings will inform prospective applicants such as state and local governments of available assistance and eligibility requirements for obtaining Federal assistance as a result of damage from Hurricane Irene.

"I encourage local officials to take advantage of these briefings which will benefit towns in my district,” said Pallone. “FEMA will provide information that is critical receiving federal assistance.”

In the days since Hurricane Irene caused significant damage, FEMA has released $38 million in federal disaster assistance.

As of September 11, 2011 statewide, 31,400 individuals have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, nearly $36 million in disaster assistance for housing needs has been allocated and more than $2 million in Other Needs Assistance (i.e. personal property, transportation, medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses) has been allocated.

In addition to the Disaster Recovery Centers that are currently serving sixth district residents in Somerset, Union, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, FEMA will continue to open more of these centers.

There are three ways to register – go to www.disasterassistance.gov, to m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with access or functional needs and who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 or use 711 or Video Relay Service to call 800-621-3362. Telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; multilingual operators are available.

Federal assistance became available after the president issued a major disaster declaration on Aug. 31. Assistance is provided for eligible damage from the Hurricane Irene and related flooding, Aug. 27 through Sept. 5, 2011.

Pallone’s staff will also be present at the following briefings to assist constituents.

Wednesday, September 14

1:00 p.m.
Middlesex County
Middlesex Fire Academy
101 Fire Academy Drive
Sayreville, NJ 08872
732-316-7104

1:00 p.m.
Union
Rahway Public Library
2 City Hall Plaza
Rahway, NJ 07065

Thursday, September 15

9:00 a.m.
Monmouth County
Monmouth County Fire Academy
1027 Highway 33 East
Freehold, NJ 07728

1:00 p.m.
Somerset County
402 Roycefield Rd.
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
908-725-5070