SNAP/ Food Stamp Reimbursement
Individuals who receive SNAP (food stamps) will be reimbursed on their EBT
card, for 50% of their monthly allotment to help purchase food lost due to the
storm. People who receive SNAP and lost more than 50% of their food for the month because
of the storm, may be able to get reimbursed for more of their lost food by
completing and submitting this form.
People who receive SNAP will be able to temporarily purchase hot/prepared food
from retailers licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA, using
their SNAP benefits until November 30th.
People who lost food but not on food stamps, MAY be eligible for a reimbursement
to cover the cost of spoiled food due to power outages from ConEdison. The
application for that program is attached and available by following the link
here.
Resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The US Small Business Administration offers two types of
disaster-relief loans to businesses:
- The
Business Physical Disaster Loan helps replace or restore damaged property.
- The
Economic Injury Disaster Loan addresses economic damage
(e.g. lost revenue).
Application Filing Deadlines:
- Physical
Damage: December 31, 2012
- Economic
Injury: July 31, 2013
Resources from NYC's Economic Development Corp. and Dept. of Small Business Services
Emergency loans are available for businesses that
experienced an interruption in business. Loans will be capped at $25,000.
Visit www.nyc.gov/nycbusiness or call 311 and ask for NYC
Business Emergency Loan.
Federal Disaster Assistance (FEMA)
Unemployment Assistance
Anyone unemployed due to Hurricane Sandy is immediately
eligible for unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance and can
submit a claim to the Department of Labor. You can apply by calling 1-888-209-8124. Application deadline is December 3, 2012.
Insurance
Those with questions about insurance / filing insurance
claims should call the NYS Department of Financial Services emergency hotline.
Call 1-800-339-1759 to
speak to an expert. Hours of operation are 8AM to 8PM weekdays, 9AM to 4PM
weekends.
Legal Assistance
Several services are offering free legal assistance to
those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Types of assistance typically include
help with insurance claims, preparing powers of attorney, help with
guardianships, and preparing new wills and other lost legal documents.
The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has mobilized a legal aid disaster relief program to help victims of the storm deal with a range of legal issues, including: FEMA claims, consumer matters, accessing public benefits, housnig, family law matters, replacing lost documentation/identification, and other issues. NYLAG is setting up legal access points throughout the areas most affected by the storm; please visit nylag.org/StormHelp for updates on locations. To organize for NYLAG attorneys and/or the Mobile Legal Help Center to visit your agency, email info@nylag.org. Individuals seeking assistance with legal issues can call NYLAG's hotline at 212-584-3365 or email StormHelp@nylag.org
US IRS Tax Relief
Extended deadlines apply to New York taxpayers, tax
professionals, and relief workers directly affected by Hurricane Sandy. The New
York State Department of Tax and Finance has extended tax deadlines to November
14, 2012. The IRS is also postponing various tax filing and payment
deadlines starting in late October, giving affected taxpayers until Feb. 1,
2013, to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This tax relief is
automatic for affected taxpayers whose address of record is in the
federally-declared disaster area. All other affected taxpayers must
self-identify for disaster relief by contacting the IRS at 1-866-562-5227.
