County of Union Hurricane Ida Recovery Resources – County of Union, New Jersey – UCNJ.org

Union County Relief Resource Events

The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents that the County will be in multiple towns in Union County in the coming weeks to assist residents who were affected by Hurricane Ida. Assistance and case workers will be available to help residents on the dates below.

Attendance to both events is free and open to all county residents who need assistance regardless of town of residence.

“Union County is working round the clock to provide all residents who require assistance with what they need to recover from the devastating impact this storm has caused,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We recognize the urgency of the situation, and our staff will be on the ground to assist those affected in a direct and timely fashion so that our residents can get back on their feet as soon as possible.”

Upcoming Events:

  • Please note location change below
  • Friday, September 17th in Plainfield
    • If you live in-county and need a ride or can’t make it, call our action line at 888-845-3434
    • Masks are required
  • This page will be updated as we add more events.
  • All County residents welcome at any of our events.

Services and information available for residents:

  • Assistance processing property damage or loss claims
  • Replacing missing documents or identification
  • Access to temporary housing
  • Food assistance
  • Stress Counseling

Representatives from the Union County Clerk’s Office will be on hand to guide with replacing missing documents and identifications.

Union County Office of Emergency Management staff will have access to FEMA resources on site

Residents who need transportation within Union County to attend the pop-up events can schedule a ride with Union County Paratransit Services by calling 908-241-8300.

Attendees will also be able to get COVID-19 Vaccinations (Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson) as well as COVID-19 testing at all Disaster Relief Resource Events. Basic Health Screening will also be available.

Union County Human Services Action Line

Residents are advised that conditions are still hazardous and travel is limited i​n many parts of Union County following Hurricane Ida. Those needing assistance with shelter, food and other resources can call the Union County Department of Human Services Action Line at (888) 845-3434 or (908) 558-2288.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Elizabeth

All Union County residents can apply for help at the Elizabeth O’Donnell Dempsey Senior Community Center in Elizabeth where FEMA has setup a Disaster Recovery Center at 618 Salem.

  • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
  • 8 – 5 p.m. Sunday

FEMA Designates Union County as a Major Disaster Area in Wake of Hurricane Ida – Federal aid to supplement local recovery efforts in the areas affected by storm

The Union County Board of County Commissioners notifies all residents that President Joseph Biden and FEMA have designated Union County as a major disaster area following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida from September 1 to 3, 2021.

Self-report Damage

Residents are encouraged to self-report damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida through the State of New Jersey’s damage reporting portal: damagenj-njoem.hub.arcgis.com/. Click Report Tropical Storm Ida Damage to FEMA. The information gathered through the portal does not guarantee assistance but assists FEMA and the state for assessing county disaster levels and criteria for the designation for FEMA assistance The portal asks for basic information including name, location, damages, cost, and need from impacted residents and businesses. 

The application process is through disasterassistance.gov/.  Residents should continue to check if/when Union County is designated under Address Lookup.  Once active, Click on Union County and then Apply Online.  The Disaster Name and Declared Date for the county needs to be confirmed before starting the application process.  

Prompted on the website when you click Apply Online:

If you are a disaster survivor, you may qualify for federal assistance.

  • If you are applying for both home and business disaster assistance, complete one registration to cover both.
  • If you are applying for multiple disasters, you will need to complete a registration for each disaster.

You’ll need the following to complete your registration:

  • Social Security Number (SSN) OR the SSN of a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National or Qualified Alien
  • Annual Household Income
  • Contact Information (phone number, mailing address, email address*, and damaged home address)
  • Insurance Information (coverage, insurance company name, etc.)
  • Bank Account Information (if you are eligible to receive financial assistance, the money can be deposited in your account)

* Note: You must provide an email address if you want to review your registration status online. If you do not provide an email address, you will be required to contact FEMA for any updates to your registration.

If you need further information or assistance:

Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. This number is also for users of 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS). TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585. Helpline services are available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET.

If you use a relay service (a videophone, InnoCaption, CapTel, etc.), please provide your number assigned to that service. FEMA must be able to contact you. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may appear to come from an unidentified number.

If you are having technical issues, call FEMA’s Internet Help Desk at 1-800-745-0243. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To learn more, review the Help After a Disaster brochure. This provides policy and eligibility information for all assistance under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Visit the Individual Disaster Assistance page for more details. You may also view Disasters by calendar year or find other agency support by disaster.

For New Jersey residents living in Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset Counties, individuals can apply for assistance through FEMA the following ways:

  • The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/ or by downloading the FEMA App on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
  • If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

New Jersey residents who live outside the affected counties are encouraged to continue reporting damage (residential structures only, no vehicles) from Ida as damage assessments are ongoing.

Information collected in this portal will help local, state, and federal authorities better understand the location and severity of damage impacts. The NJOEM Public Damage Reporting portal is located at damagenj-njoem.hub.arcgis.com.

Understand What Losses FEMA May Cover

FEMA assistance differs from insurance in that it only provides the basic needs to make a home safe, sanitary and functional. FEMA assistance does not make you whole again, but it can give you a helping hand to recover. FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss.

Home damage must be related to Hurricane Ida. FEMA inspectors may contact survivors who apply to arrange for an inspection appointment.

Examples of Safe, Sanitary and Functional Repairs to Make a Home Fit to Live in:

  • Property: FEMA may assist with the replacement or repair of disaster-damaged heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems as well as refrigerators and stoves. Other possible repairs that may be covered are utilities such as electrical, plumbing and gas systems. Non-essential items like dishwashers and home entertainment equipment are not covered.
  • Ceiling and Roof Damage: FEMA grants may help to repair disaster-related leaks in a roof that caused damage to ceilings and threaten electrical components, like overhead lights, but will not pay for simple stains from roof leaks.
  • Floors: FEMA assistance may be used to repair a disaster-damaged subfloor in occupied parts of the home, but not floor covering like tile or carpet.
  • Windows: FEMA payments may assist with disaster-related broken windows, but not blinds or drapes.

Other FEMA help may include temporary expenses to pay for lodging if a survivor’s home is unlivable, or assistance for replacing essential household items.

As every survivor’s situation is different, FEMA calculations on what it may cover vary. Expenses for repairs that exceed the conditions to make a home safe, sanitary and functional are ineligible. Spend Grants Wisely

Disaster grants should not be used for travel, entertainment, regular living expenses or any discretionary expenses not related to the disaster. Survivors should keep receipts for three years to show how they spent FEMA grants.

If grant money is not used as outlined in the letter you receive, you may have to repay FEMA and you could lose eligibility for further federal assistance that could become available later for your disaster recovery.

If Assistance is Not Enough to Repair your Home to its Original Condition:

After you apply for disaster assistance, you may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA may contact you to offer a low-interest disaster loan. Homeowners and renters who are referred to the SBA should complete the loan application even if they decide not to take it in order to remain eligible for additional FEMA programs. SBA loans may include:

  • For businesses of any size and most nonprofits: up to $2 million for property damage.
  • For small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most nonprofits: up to $2 million for working capital needs even if they had no property damage, with a $2 million maximum loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs.
  • For homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.

For homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles

Union County SNAP Recipients are Eligible for Hot MealsSpecial disaster nutrition assistance is in effect until September 30.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners advises SNAP recipients in Union County that they are eligible for special disaster food assistance from now through September 30.

SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The special assistance was applied for and received by the New Jersey Department of Human Services after FEMA issued a Major Disaster Declaration for counties impacted by Tropical Storm Ida, including Union County as well as Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset.

“Tropical Storm Ida has created new burdens on many households, including those impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to thank the Murphy administration for their work in securing additional federal nutrition assistance for Union County and others affected by the storm,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. 

SNAP recipients in Union County can use their EBT benefits cards to purchase hot food at participating NJ SNAP retailers until Sept. 30, 2021.

For a list of participating retailers visit the interactive map at the U.S. Department of Agriculture website, usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator. Please note that the hot food waiver only applies to items purchased from SNAP-approved retailers located in the 10 counties under the Major Disaster Declaration issued by FEMA.

SNAP recipients in Union County also have until September 30 to request replacement benefits for food lost due to the impact of the storm.

All current Union County SNAP recipients can report food loss due to the impact of the storm by calling the Union County Social Services office at 908-965-2700.

Clients who are currently receiving SNAP benefits, can also report food loss by sending an email to elizredetbank@ucnj.org. In the email, please be sure to state your name, case number and address, and include  a brief statement  regarding your loss of food items only.

Individual Assistance

Assistance to individuals and households. Individuals in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties can apply with FEMA by applying online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362.

Public Assistance

Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster damaged facilities.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Health

A public health emergency declaration has been issued for NJ. Constituents with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) who need help accessing dialysis or similar services can call the ESRD Network toll free at 888-877-8400.

If constituents’ medical supplies, like prosthetics or orthotics have been lost or ruined in the storm, Medicare may be able to waive certain restrictions to ensure that they can receive new supplies.

Constituents should call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.

Small Business Disaster Assistance

The SBA is offering low-interest disaster assistance loans to New Jersey businesses and residents. For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE.

USDA

USDA is offering advice for food safety and disaster assistance for agricultural producers.

New Jersey Disaster Resources

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Homeowners Information

Insurance Information Institute Homeowners Information

Auto Insurance Information

  • New Jersey Auto Insurance Buyer’s Guide
  • Consider what insurance coverage you need.
  • First, review your policy and check your current limits for each coverage section such as liability, collision, comprehensive, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) which is the medical coverage for auto accidents, and additional mandatory features such as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Next, decide whether your current coverage selections are at the levels that best fit your needs, and whether selected deductibles-which you will have to pay if you make a claim-are at amounts that you can afford. The Department provides an interactive guide to determine which coverage is best for you: http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/autoplanner.htm

New Jersey Insurance Information

General Insurance Information