SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

SEEKING DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Throughout the recovery period, it is important to monitor local radio or television reports and other media sources for information about where to get emergency housing, food, first aid, clothing, and financial assistance.

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE:

Disaster assistance is financial or direct assistance to individuals and families whose property has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally-declared disaster, and whose losses are not covered by insurance. It is meant to help you with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways. This assistance is not intended to restore your damaged property to its condition before the disaster.

While some housing assistance funds are available through our Individuals and Households Program, most disaster assistance from the Federal government is in the form of loans administered by the Small Business Administration. Additional forms of assistance offered by the Federal government can be found on DisasterAssistance.gov or phone 1-800-621-3362

Call TTY (800) 462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities.

Click here to download FEMA Individual Assistance Program Fact Sheet.

If you're looking for information on FEMA disaster assistance, updating/creating an online account, or other disaster-related information, FEMA.gov has answers to the questions we hear the most. Search the frequently asked questions at https://faq.fema.gov/

Click here for: Disaster Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to learn more about Disaster Assistance Available from FEMA.

Direct Assistance

Direct assistance to individuals and families may come from any number of organizations, including:

• American Red Cross
• American Red Cross Long Island or call 1-877-733-2767 Click here to learn about getting Immediate Help from the Red Cross.
• Salvation Army

These organizations provide food, shelter, supplies and assist in clean-up efforts.

The Federal Role

In the most severe disasters, the federal government is also called in to help individuals and families with temporary housing, counseling (for post-disaster trauma), low-interest loans and grants, and other assistance. The federal government also has programs that help small businesses and farmers.

Most federal assistance becomes available when the President of the United States declares a “Major Disaster” for the affected area at the request of a state governor. FEMA will provide information through the media and community outreach about federal assistance and how to apply.

Grants and Assistance Programs for Individuals

Catalog of Federal Disaster Assistance (CFDA) numbers are provided to help you find additional information on the CFDA website.

• Disaster Assistance (CFDA Numbers: 97.048, 97.049, 97.050) Provides money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance.
• Crisis Counseling (CFDA Number: 97.032) Provides supplemental funding to States for short-term crisis counseling services to people affected in Presidentially declared disasters.
• Disaster Legal Services (CFDA Number: 97.033) Provides free legal assistance to disaster victims.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program (CFDA Number: 97.034) Provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed because of major disasters.
• National Flood Insurance Program (CFDA Number: 97.022) Enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance as a protection against flood losses in exchange for State and community floodplain management regulations that reduce future flood damages.
• View all FEMA grants

Information to help disaster survivors avoid frauds and scams.