Suffered Ida damage? These are the 5 things you should do right now. – NJ.com

Residents and business owners in 11 New Jersey counties impacted by Hurricane Ida are eligible for assistance from FEMA following President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration for Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties.

There are steps that need to be taken now to ensure you can get assistance, according to FEMA and New Jersey.

While FEMA aid cannot replace insurance, the federal agency can assist with basic needs, including assistance to make essential home repairs, temporary housing and help to repair or replace certain household items, according to a news release.

Below are the things you should do right now in you live in one of the 11 counties covered by the declaration:

Apply for assistance

Apply for assistance online or call 800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. daily. Those who use a relay service (a videophone, InnoCaption, CapTel, etc.), need to provide the number assigned to that service. FEMA must be able to contact those making an application. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA come from an unidentified number. Because of high call volume, the fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information ready:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
  • Your Social Security number, if available
  • A general list of damage and losses
  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

If you have insurance, file a claim as soon as you can

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Visit a disaster recovery center

Representatives from FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management and other state agencies are available at disaster recovery centers to explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about written correspondence and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant.

Residents who previously registered for assistance do not need to visit a center, but can ask questions or seek further information in person at one of the centers.

The centers are now open in the following locations:

  • Bergen County – Ciarco Learning Center, 355 Main St., Hackensack, NJ 07652 | Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays.
  • Mercer County – Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Trenton, NJ 08638 | Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Hunterdon County – Union Fire Company #1, 230 N. Main St., Lambertville, NJ 08530 | Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Middlesex County – Middlesex Fire Academy, 1001 Fire Academy Drive, Cafeteria B, Sayreville, NJ 08872 | Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Passaic County – Civic Center. 19 Warren Street, Little Falls, NJ 07424 | Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Gloucester County – Mullica Hill Library, 389 Wolfert Station Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 | Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Make an inventory of what needs to be repaired or replaced

Survivors whose homes suffered Hurricane Ida-related damage and are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for help from FEMA to restore their homes to a livable condition.

  • Federal assistance from FEMA provides only the basic needs for a home – including toilets, a roof, critical utilities, windows and doors. Examples of ineligible items may include non-essential cabinets and garage doors.
  • A home inspection is required to calculate and verify the loss.
  • Livable homes have to meet the following conditions: the exterior is structurally sound, including the doors, roof and windows; the electricity, gas, heat, plumbing, and sewer and septic systems work properly; the interior areas are structurally sound, including ceiling and floors; and, the home is capable of being used for its intended purpose.

Examples of what FEMA can help repair or replace

  • Appliances: FEMA may assist in the replacement or repair of disaster-damaged hot-water heaters and furnaces. Non-essential items like dishwashers and home entertainment equipment will not be considered.
  • Ceiling and Roof Damage: FEMA may assist to repair disaster-caused leaks in a roof that damaged ceilings and electrical components like overhead lights. The cost to fix minor stains from roof leaks is not reimbursable.
  • Floors: FEMA may assist to repair subfloors in occupied parts of the home that were damaged due to the disaster.
  • Windows: FEMA may assist with disaster-related broken windows, but not blinds and drapes.
  • FEMA calculations to verify loss vary because every applicant’s situation is different, so awards vary among survivors.

Reach out if you need somewhere to stay

Homeowners or renters may receive temporary financial help for another place to live if a home is unlivable because of Hurricane Ida and a survivor has no insurance coverage for temporary housing.

Other kinds of help available

Financial assistance is available for necessary expenses and serious needs directly caused by the disaster, including:

  • Child-care expenses
  • Medical and dental expenses
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Damage to essential household items: room furnishings; appliances; clothing; specialized tools, and protective clothing and equipment required for a job; necessary educational materials like computers, schoolbooks and supplies; damage to an essential vehicle (must have liability insurance to be considered for repair/replacement assistance); moving and storage expenses caused by the disaster; miscellaneous items purchased as a result of the disaster such as a generator, chainsaw or dehumidifier.