FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance Activated

Program to Help New Jersey and New York Survivors of Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of New Jersey and New York, has activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program.

The program allows eligible survivors who are in shelters and cannot return to their homes due to damages caused by Hurricane Sandy to stay in participating hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations are available.

“FEMA is supporting the State of New York and the State of New Jersey with meeting the housing needs of their residents,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate.

“The Transitional Sheltering Assistance program is providing survivors currently staying in shelters with the chance to find a hotel or motel while recovery continues. I encourage those who have been displaced and need a place to stay to contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, or www.disasterassistance.gov.”

The first step to receiving assistance is by registering with FEMA. Individuals who sustained losses in designated counties in New York and New Jersey must apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by registering using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or online at www.disasterassistance.gov for those with internet access.  

Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. 

FEMA is asking that those with ability to register online do so to keep phone lines open for those without connectivity and to share this information with friends and neighbors. 

Individuals and households may be eligible for TSA, if:

They register with FEMA for assistance

They pass identity verification

Their pre-disaster primary residence is located in a geographic area that is designated for TSA and occupancy is verified

As a result of the disaster, they are displaced from their pre-disaster residence and are currently staying in a shelter.

This federal assistance is intended to provide a place to stay for a specific period of time for eligible survivors who are displaced from their pre-disaster residence and are currently staying in a shelter.