Flood Recovery Grant Program Deadline March 16

Governor Cuomo Encourages Small Businesses, Farms, Multiple Dwellings and Not-For-Profits to Apply 

Governor Andrew Cuomo is encouraging eligible entities that sustained flood-related damage as a result of Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee to apply for assistance through the Business Flood Recovery Grant Program. 

The program was launched in January, and the funding application deadline is Friday, March 16. 

"These funds will go directly to small businesses and communities that are still recovering from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee," Governor Cuomo said."

I encourage farm and small business owners to submit their applications this week so they can receive the resources they need to rebuild."

The State Legislature passed Governor Cuomo's Flood Recovery Grant Program to ensure continued recovery efforts in regions of the state hit hardest by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in December 2011. 

The new law includes support for communities recovering from the storms through the Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, as well as the Flood Mitigation Grant Program, which is administered jointly by Empire State Development (ESD) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

"This grant program is targeted to help our small businesses, farms, not-for-profits and owners of multiple dwellings get the critical assistance they need to clean-up and recover," stated Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. 

"Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, we are pulling out all the stops to help those affected by the floods start over. We urge those eligible to contact ESD for additional information and to apply for these available resources designated to help our communities get back to business." 

ESD is administering the $21 million Business Flood Recovery Grant Program, which will provide grants of up to $20,000 for eligible small businesses, farms, multiple dwellings and not-for-profits that sustained direct, physical flood-related damage in Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. 

Funding is geared to help offset the costs of storm-related repairs and restoration of structures not covered by other federal, state or local recovery programs. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate the greatest need. 

Applicants can access the application form, instructions and guidelines, as well as additional information about the program through the following link: www.esd.ny.gov/BusinessPrograms/FloodRecovery.html. 

Information can also be obtained by calling 518-292-5340 or by sending email to floodrecovery@esd.ny.gov. 

Through the Flood Mitigation Grant Program, $9 million is available to counties to be used to support flood mitigation or flood control projects in waterways impacted by the storms. 

The deadline to submit applications to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is April 11. More information on that program can be found on DEC's website at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/79243.html

Disaster Food Stamps Available for Storm Victims

Assistance for Households Hardest-Hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that disaster food stamp benefits are available to households in 15 counties hard-hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

The Disaster Food Stamp Benefits Program for residents in counties affected by Hurricane Irene is available starting today. Counties covered by the program include Albany, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, and Westchester. These counties will accept Disaster Food Stamp benefit applications for at least seven days beginning today.

The Disaster Food Stamp Benefits Program for residents in counties affected by Tropical Storm Lee is available starting Friday, September 23, in Broome, Delaware, Schenectady and Tioga counties, and on Monday, September 26, in Chenango and Otsego counties.

"The devastation caused by these storms has displaced many families from their homes and jobs, leaving them without food or the means to purchase food," said Cuomo.

"Families and individuals who normally would not seek food stamp benefits may find themselves in need of this temporary help. This emergency program will ensure that those who were most severely impacted by the storm will be able to provide for their families’ nutritional needs as they continue to recover from this tragedy."

The federal government oversees the Food Stamp Program, which is operated in New York State by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

OTDA Executive Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Berlin said, "Because of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee even more New Yorkers are struggling to provide meals for their families. This Disaster Food Stamp Program will help lift some of the burden of those who are eligible. It is important that families act quickly to seek this help, as it is only available for a limited time. By contacting their local department of social services, people can find the location nearest them where they can apply."

Disaster food stamp benefits can be made available when the number of people applying for food stamp benefits increases rapidly and significantly as a result of an emergency or disaster. Under the Disaster Food Stamp Benefits Program, standard eligibility criteria are relaxed so that those who may not normally qualify for food stamps can receive help to purchase food. Verification rules are also eased, reducing administrative burdens as both local agencies and applicants may not have access to records normally used for verification in the aftermath of a disaster.

To qualify for disaster food stamp benefits, applicants: Must have lived in one of the designated counties at the time of the disaster. (Applicants may be eligible if they are temporarily living outside of the disaster area but within the State at the time of the disaster); must plan on purchasing food during the month of September; must have experienced at least one of the following: loss of food or food stamp benefits; damage to, or the destruction of, the household’s home or self-employment business; disaster-related expenses not expected to be reimbursed during the month of September (e.g. home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, etc.); loss or inaccessibility of income including reduction or termination of income, or a delay in receipt of income for half a month; inaccessible liquid resources (e.g. banks are closed due to the disaster).

To find out where to apply for disaster food stamp benefits, call 1-800-342-3009, or contact your local department of social services. A list of county social services districts can be found at: http://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp.

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Governor Cuomo Seeks Federal Disaster Assistance for Spring Floods

Asks President to Declare Disaster for 26 Counties

Governor Andrew Cuomo today formally requested that President Barack Obama declare a major federal disaster for New York State and 26 counties as a result of the severe rains and incessant damaging flooding that has occurred since April 26.

The Governor has requested that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak issue a natural disaster designation.

Counties included in the Governor's request are: Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Warren, and Yates.

"The seemingly never-ending rains and ensuing flooding have caused severe damage and losses in many corners of the State," Governor Cuomo said.

"While State agencies continue to do all that is possible to assist the impacted areas, I am asking President Obama for federal assistance to help our citizens and their communities on the road to recovery."

The Governor is making the request for federal assistance based on the results of a rapid joint assessment, which he requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on April 29. Preliminary information from the assessment of the 26 counties indicates the widespread impact, devastation and severity of the damages.

The FEMA-State teams estimate more than $38 million in infrastructure repair and debris removal. The severe damage to private property affected 1,060 residences, destroying 14 homes and leaving 218 with major damage, much of which is uninsured.

In addition, many of the damaged homes still have standing water and have the potential for additional damages beyond those observed by the joint assessment teams.

Based on that assessment, the Governor is seeking the implementation of FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program for 21 counties. The PA program provides 75 percent federal reimbursement to municipalities for the costs of debris removal and emergency response actions as well as for repairs to public facilities.

The 21 counties are Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Steuben, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, and Yates.

Additionally, he is seeking the Individual Assistance program, which includes the Individuals and Households program, Other Needs Assistance program, disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling and the maximum allowable assistance to individuals and businesses from the Small Business Administration.

The Governor is seeking this assistance for individuals and businesses impacted by the storms and flooding in these counties: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington and Yates.

Governor Cuomo has also asked that FEMA implement statewide its Hazard Mitigation program, which provides 75 percent of the approved costs undertaken by state and local governments to prevent long-term risk to life or property from such disasters.

The State's response to the storms and flooding was swift and continuous. Governor Cuomo enacted the State's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, dispatched State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel to impacted areas and activated the State's Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response of State agencies.

On April 29, the Governor declared a State Disaster Emergency in Essex County, one of the most heavily damaged areas.

The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision had eight crews with 81 inmates assisting with sandbagging at four locations in Essex County. State DOT had 1,200 people and 150 pieces of equipment deployed in storm-related activities in the affected areas. The State Police readied its airboats, and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control's Swift Water Rescue Team prepared for rescue operations.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) deployed personnel to numerous locations to inspect dams and monitor slides and spills. The State Department of Health monitored public water supplies and water samples in the impacted areas.