Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to residents throughout our state who were living or working in New Jersey at the time of the disaster, and who are unemployed as a direct result of the damages caused by the storm.
Most impacted workers may already qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance. The federal DUA is a special program that covers many people who otherwise may not be eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance.
If you are unemployed because of the disaster that began on Oct. 28, you should FIRST file for unemployment insurance benefits through the state website. Once you log-on, you will be asked the reason for your separation from your employer. Select "Other," then type "Hurricane Sandy" in the comment box.
Claims registered online are processed faster. However, if needed, people may also file a claim by telephone by contacting the state Department of Labor's Re-employment Call Centers at:
- North Jersey (201) 601-4100
- Central Jersey (732) 761-2020
- South Jersey (856) 507-2340
The filing deadline, originally set to expire on December 3, 2012, has been extended until February 4, 2013. Benefits will continue through the end of 2013. Some temporary work opportunities associated with disaster recovery are now available as well. Learn more about unemployment insurance and job search assistance.
Get more information on related programs and services from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Business Assistance Services
To support the recovery of New Jersey's businesses a series of business assistance services for those affected by the storm is now available. Information for all services may be accessed through New Jersey's Business Action Center (BAC), by calling 1-866-534-7789 or through their website.
The business recovery assistance services are designed to support businesses and workers who may be temporarily unable to perform their jobs due to the storm. These services include:
- Access to lines of credit of up to $500,000 for businesses that need access to cash to improve their damaged property while awaiting insurance proceeds
- Grant awards for businesses to assist with on-the-job training costs for new workers hired specifically to assist in disaster-related activities, such as landscaping and tree removal, construction, insurance claims, building supplies sales, materials transport, utility work, call and claims centers staffing, and infrastructure clearing and repair
- Availability of the Business Resource Centers at any of the 17 local One-Stop Career Centers across the state as temporary hubs for businesses to access telephone and Internet services as well as for job seekers and displaced workers seeking workforce development and unemployment assistance. Access a listing of the temporary business hubs.
- The availability of Disaster Unemployment Benefits to provide income security for those displaced workers suffering temporary storm-related job loss
- Dispatch of Rapid Response team members to identified Disaster Recovery Centers to assist displaced workers
- Availability of services through New Jersey Youth Corps to assist non-profit, public and governmental entities in a variety of ways for disaster relief and clean-up
In addition, BAC's Business Call Center is also the one-stop resource for more information on how to get businesses back up and running. The Call Center staff can assist with the following services:
- Arranging business facility inspections for buildings suffering major flood damage, as such conditions require structural integrity inspections before utility service can be restored. These inspections are handled in local code enforcement offices and by local code enforcement officials. Anticipating an enormous increase in such work, the Department of Community Affairs has mobilized all qualified personnel to assist local governments in this effort.
- Advocate for businesses seeking assistance from local utilities to restore electric, phone, gas and water services
- Advocate with insurance carriers to file and expedite claims
- Provide information on how to qualify for federal recovery assistance, and
- Connect businesses to the other county and local business services and to the services offered by the Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Centers that include assistance with insurance claims, as well as loans and business plan revisions.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans for Homeowners and Businesses
SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Even if you don't get approved for this loan or don't want to accept the loan, you should apply because it will open the doorway for other potential financial assistance.
The disaster declaration for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance includes all of the counties of New Jersey, entitling residents and businesses in the state who were affected by the hurricane, to apply for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations in adjacent counties are also eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Interest rates for these loans are low with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
- SBA disaster loans (up to $200,000) are available to homeowners to repair/replace real estate.
- Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 from SBA to repair/replace personal property.
- Businesses of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
- Small businesses and most private non-profits can apply for working capital business loans (total cannot exceed $2 million).
Filling out the SBA home loan application is a necessary step in order to be considered for some other forms of disaster assistance. Applicants may be eligible for more aid. If you don't complete the SBA application, you will not be considered for this assistance. Those affected by this disaster may complete loan applications online by visiting SBA's secure website. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage has been extended to May 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2013.
Even residents of Barrier Islands should apply for assistance. Although you may live in a Coastal Barrier Resource Act designated area you should still apply for a SBA loan. SBA encourages everyone to apply and not worry about whether they are in a Coastal Barrier Resource Act designated area.
If SBA is unable to approve a home loan, the applicant may be referred back to FEMA for some other disaster aid. Applicants may be awarded assistance for personal items, repair or replacement of a vehicle, etc.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Answers to questions about the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Learn more by reading this SBA Loan Fact Sheet (in Spanish).
FEMA Fact and Fiction
- MYTH: Since I received disaster assistance last year, I'm sure I can't get it again this year.
FACT: Assistance may be available if you suffered damages from a new federally declared disaster.
- MYTH: My income is probably too high for me to qualify for disaster assistance.
FACT: Income is not a consideration for FEMA assistance. FEMA grants may cover uninsured losses.
- MYTH: I don't want to apply for help because others had more damage than I had; they need the help more than me.
FACT: FEMA has enough funding to assist all eligible survivors with their disaster related needs.
Learn more about SBA services.
SBA Opens Business Recovery Centers
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the opening of Business Recovery Centers in New Jersey. These Centers will provide one-on-one assistance to business owners seeking disaster assistance for losses caused by Hurricane Sandy. You may walk into any location for assistance regardless of where your business is located. Below you will find a listing of centers that are currently operational. Locations and hours change regularly and without notification. The most current information can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.
| COUNTY |
BRC LOCATION |
HOURS |
| CAPE MAY |
Cape May County Chamber of Commerce
13 Crest Haven Road
Cape May, NJ 08210 |
Open 8:30am - 4:30pm M-F |
| ESSEX |
Essex County
Rutgers University
Small Business Development Center
25 James Street
Newark, NJ 07102 |
Open 9:00am - 5:00pm M-F |
| HUDSON |
Hudson County
Small Business Development Center
New Jersey City University
285 West Side Avenue Suites 189-191
Jersey City, NJ 07305 |
Open 9:00am - 5:00pm M-F |
| MONMOUTH |
Monmouth County
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Bankier Library, Room 246 (SBDC)
Lincroft, NJ 07738 |
Open 9:00am - 5:00pm M-F |
| |
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center
945 Highway 36
Leonardo, NJ 07737 |
Open 9:00am - 6:00pm M-F; 9:00am - 4:00pm SA
Scheduled to open 4.22.13 |
OCEAN
|
Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
Bankier Library, Room 246
West Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ. 08050 |
Open 10 am - 6 pm M-F |
| |
Little Egg Harbor Senior Center
641 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08087 |
Open 9:00am - 6:00pm M-F; 9:00am - 4:00pm SA
Scheduled to open 4.22.13 |
| PASSAIC |
Small Business Development Center in Downtown Paterson
131 Ellison St.
Paterson, NJ 07505 |
Open 9:00am - 5:00pm M-F |
| UNION |
Kean University - SBDC
Business One-Stop Service
The Incubator
320 Park Ave.
Plainfield, NJ 07060 |
Open 9:00am - 5:00pm M-F |
Source: www.sba.gov. 4.18.13 |
SBA's customer service representatives will be on hand at the Centers to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and assist business owners in completing their applications. Also, SBDC counselors are available to assist business complete their application package.
Other Needs Assistance (ONA)
New Jersey residents who did not receive reimbursement from FEMA for items purchased in direct response to Hurricane Sandy may qualify under a separate FEMA grant program: Other Needs Assistance (ONA).
The purpose of ONA is to provide financial assistance to individuals and households who have no applicable insurance and may have been denied by the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance program. FEMA may be able to reimburse you for disaster-related purchases. In order to be considered you must provide receipts documenting the purchases. Lost receipts can often be replaced at the original place of purchase.
Disaster-related items eligible for reimbursement may include:
- Smoke detectors
- Dehumidifiers
- Chainsaws
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Weather radios
Home Depot Grants Assist Childcare Facilities
Home Depot is accepting applications for assistance with storm related recovery needs from childcare facilities, after school programs and community centers located in Ocean and Monmouth counties east of Route 9. Mr. Steven Stokhamer, manager of Home Depot in this area, will review proposals. The Home Depots participating in this project are located in West Long Branch, Neptune, Howell, Lakewood, Tom's River, Forked River, Manahawkin and Brick Town. Applicants will need to specify their needs for relevant construction material or outdoor playground remediation. Applications are expected to reflect immediate needs that are not covered by insurance or reimbursable through FEMA or other government assistance. Read more about this opportunity. See the budget form.
Microloan Program for Small Businesses
UCEDC, a Community Development Financial Institution and US Small Business Administration (SBA) microlender, provides access to capital to underserved populations and communities. While available to all small business owners in New Jersey, their microloan program especially supports borrowers with little to no credit history, low-income borrowers, and women and minority entrepreneurs. Loan officers are prepared to give hurricane-affected businesses top priority in the application process. Business owners can call UCEDC at 908-527-1166 to see if they qualify or they can go online.
Emergency Relief for Artists
The Andy Warhol Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Lambent Foundation (a project of the Tides Center) have established an Emergency Relief Fund, administered by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) to assist artists with damages and losses as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Eligible artists can be working in any discipline and reside in Connecticut, New Jersey or New York.
Damages are broadly defined and include, but are not limited to: damage to physical work; damage to homes/studios/other facilities; loss of equipment or supplies; loss of income, and reimbursement for cancelled performances, appearances, and engagements. NYFA will post an application on both the NYFA and Artspire websites on November 21. A separate fund has been established for arts organizations; for information email info@emergencygrants.org. Learn more.
Disaster Recovery Centers Offer Assistance
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open to assist individuals, households and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. DRCs are planned for all designated counties and openings will be announced as arrangements are finalized.
Each DRC is staffed with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration and state agency disaster recovery specialists who are ready to help survivors through the process. Learn more and find DRC locations here.
Need Help? – Dial 2-1-1
You are encouraged to dial “2-1-1” 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need help in understanding and finding available assistance services. Language translation and TTY services are offered to any caller. You can also search our database for services in your local community or Chat Live with an experienced community resource specialist. 2-1-1 will help identify with you the best local resources to fit your individual needs during times of distress or for life’s everyday situations.
