Information on Disaster Assistance for NJ
homeowners, renters and business owners
affected by severe flooding in
Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer,
Middlesex,Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union Counties

STATEWIDE DISASTER SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT

If you are unemployed due to your employer closing due to the recent floods, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance. Please visit http://www.state.nj.us/labor/ui/uiindex.html where you may be able to apply for benefits on-line.

Job search assistance services are offered by New Jersey's One-Stop Career Center. For the location of the nearest One Stop Center, call 2-1-1 or search online at http://www.wnjpin.net/oscc/index.html.

The NJ State Department of Labor has three call centers if you need to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits. There are three re-employment centers in:
Hudson (northeast NJ): 201-601-4100
Freehold (northewest NJ and central NJ): 732-761-2020
Cumberland (southern NJ): 856-507-2340.
or file online at www.njuifile.net.

DOCUMENT REPLACEMENT

The New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics can help you replace lost marriage, birth and death certificates. For more information, call 609-292-4087 or visit www.state.nj.us/health/vital or by mail contact:

For Express Shipping – download application off the internet and mail to:

If you prefer to go in person, the address is:

For applications received after 4 p.m., records will be mailed the next business day.
To find a local registrar in your county visit: www.state.nj.us/health/vital/regbycnty.shtml

NEW JERSEY DRIVERS LICENSE OR ID

Flood victims who wish to obtain a New Jersey Drivers License or ID will be required to meet the New Jersey documentation requirements. Visit http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/ to download forms for new registation or driver's license.

NEW OR REPLACEMENT SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

Anyone receiving Social Security payments that have been interrupted can go to any Social Security office to get an emergency payment. For information about changing mailing addresses, obtaining a new card, direct deposit, or locating the nearest Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or go online at http://www.social security.gov.

PRESERVING WET DOCUMENTS

To preserve family treasures, review this informational link at the National Archives www.archives.gov/preservation/disaster-response/guidelines.html

HOUSING

There are a variety of local organizations working to develop housing options. In the short-term the Red Cross may be able to pay for up to 2 weeks stay in a local hotel. For a Red Cross location nearest you click on Getting Started or dial 2-1-1 for local referrals.

The NJ Housing Resource Center provides an online resource tool for finding affordable rental properties, it can be accessed at http://www.njhousing.gov..

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Change of address form is available online at www.usps.gov or at any U.S. Postal Service location. Please be sure when you find permanent housing that your address is current and that FEMA has also been notified if you are expecting assistance.

LEGAL SERVICES

Legal Services of New Jersey can assist with civil legal services for low-income people including, housing, family, consumer, public entitlements, education, employment, and health care access. Please visit www.lsnj.org or call 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529). Local offices of New Jersey legal services providers can be found in the local county resource section of this guide.

PETS

Once you and your pets return to your home, be careful about allowing your pets outdoors unattended and off-leash. The floods may have altered familiar scents and landmarks and your pet could easily get confused and become lost.

In addition, sharp objects, downed electric lines, fallen trees and other debris or contaminated water could present real danger to your pet. Raccoons, skunks or other wild animals may have entered the area and could present danger to your pets.

If any animals are lost during the disaster, contact veterinarians, humane societies, pet shelters, and other facilities that might house animals. Be prepared to identify and document ownership when claiming lost livestock. The United States Department of Agriculture Missing Pet Network at www.missingpet.net may be of assistance.

The United States Department of Agriculture Missing Pet Network at www.missingpet.net may be of assistance or another database such as www.petfinder.com.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND CONSUMER ADVICE

If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud, or if you want to find out how to avoid fraud when making purchases and paying for services, contact the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs by telephone at (973) 504-6200 or (800) 242-5846 (toll free, New Jersey only); E-mail: askconsumeraffairs@lps.state.nj.us; or by mail at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

Better Business Bureau 800-275-3626
Consumer Credit Counseling Service call 2-1-1 for the nearest location.

FRAUD DETECTION
FEMA fraud detection 1-800-323-8603

INSURANCE INFORMATION
National Flood Insurance Program
(Customer Service) 1-800-427-4661 (M-F, 8:00am to 8:00pm)
(Existing Policies)1-800-638-6620 (M-F, 8:00am to 8:00pm)

INSURANCE COMPLAINTS AND ASSISTANCE
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
Information      1-609-292-5360 (M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm)
Complaints       1-609-292-5316 (M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm)

VETERANS BENEFITS
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 1-800-827-1000
or visit online at www.va.gov
TTY   1-800-829-4833