Westchester residents with businesses or homes affected by Hurricane Sandy can have streamlined access to recovery aid today and tomorrow.
"From day one, Congresswoman Lowey pledged her assistance to those suffering and has not forgotten our village and the destruction we suffered in our waterfront business district,” said Brian Smith mayor of the Village of Irvington.
Two Sandy Help Centers will operate in Westchester from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 29 and 30.
- In Westchester, the two Sandy Help Centers are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at: Village Hall, 85 Main St., Irvington, NY 10533
- Municipal Building, 16 Croton Ave., Ossining, NY 10562
They're designed as a resource to help homeowners and business affected by Sandy for recovery aid for things like home repairs, elevations, and buyouts; mitigation assistance, and small business assistance.
To access it, local residents can simply come (appointments are not required) and discuss their need for aid with trained state and local representatives and file an initial application for aid. After filing an initial application, a meeting with a disaster recovery representative will be scheduled.
U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, helped secure the passing of the $60 billion package in federal funds to provide aid help citizens recover from Sandy.
“Superstorm Sandy devastated businesses and homes in Westchester County. In Sandy’s wake, federal support has been essential in helping communities get back on their feet,” said Lowey. “I am pleased that Westchester residents will be able to receive direct assistance in their own communities this week as they continue to rebuild and recover.”
Lowey announced that President Obama has approved a 90% reimbursement level for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funds to reimburse local communities for their costs for responding to Sandy.
Until now local municipalities could only get 75 percent of their costs cover by FEMA.
"We want to ensure we provide whatever help we can to those still struggling to recover from Sandy," said Smith. "I would like to thank Congresswoman Lowey for her unwavering support of the victims of Sandy."
For more information on how to apply for assistance visit http://nysandyhelp.ny.gov or http://lowey.house.gov, or contact the Congresswoman’s Westchester County District Office at (914) 428-1707.
* Lanning Tailaferro contributed to this report
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