Throughout the state, recovery efforts are well underway. On this page and those linked to it you will find information about FEMA assistance and how to apply; clean-up resources and local recovery efforts. NJ 2-1-1 staff is in direct contact with VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disaster) and state and local government officials. As we learn of resources we will post the information to these pages. Our resource specialists are available to assist you as well.
Qualified work will be administered and contracted through local municipal governments in coordination with FEMA for expenses up to $10,000. Only residential properties are eligible for STEP program work, and all work must be done within 60 days of approval and submission of Right of Entry permission. Expansion beyond these 5 initial counties will be evaluated in the future as need is identified.
FHA is extending moratoriums for another 90 days on the initiation of foreclosures and foreclosures already in process. It is also suspending evictions of persons from properties secured by FHA mortgages in these affected counties through April 30, 2013.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will also extend the suspension of foreclosure sales and eviction lockouts for borrowers impacted by Hurricane Sandy. In addition to the foreclosure sale and eviction moratorium, homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy may be eligible for forbearance, loan modifications or waived late payment charges. Read the HUD press release.
Food Assistance
If you are in need of food, visit End Hunger NJ where you will find a food pantry in your area.
Some food pantries and soup kitchens in Ocean and Monmouth counties have been closed due to damage sustained by the storm. Find an open food pantry or soup kitchen in Ocean County. Find an open food pantry or soup kitchen in Monmouth County. Operational hours may have changed and supplies may be limited so be sure to call before you go to verify details. You will need an ID to prove residency and will be asked to declare that you were affected by the disaster.
More Federal, State and Local Resources
Resources change constantly as needs transition from emergency response to recovery. For the most accurate reflection of local resources for emergency shelter, food, household supplies, housing assistance programs, legal services, and more, view the NJ 2-1-1 Hurricane Relief and Recovery Assistance Guide. This guide changes every day. Be sure to refresh the page to be certain you are viewing the most current guide.
Tax Filing Assistance and Tax Relief
The IRS announced that it is providing tax relief to individual and business taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Sandy that include certain taxpayers in New Jersey. The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting in late October. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 1, 2013 to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This includes the fourth quarter individual estimated tax payment, normally due Jan. 15, 2013.
It also includes payroll and excise tax returns and accompanying payments for the third and fourth quarters, normally due on Oct. 31, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013 respectively. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 series returns with an original or extended deadline falling during this period.
The IRS will abate any interest, late-payment or late-filing penalty that would otherwise apply. The IRS automatically provides this relief to any taxpayer located in the disaster area. Taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get this relief.
For full details, about this and other tax related initiatives visit the IRS newsroom.
If you need a copy of a recent tax return call the IRS at 866.562.5227 and press 1 for Hurricane Sandy.
Camp Scholarships Available for Youth & Teens
Thanks to generous support from the Robin Hood Foundation, the YMCA has announced that it is offering summer camp scholarships for children & families impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 2 weeks at the YMCA's Camp Arrowhead and Camp Zehnder day camps and at camp programs in Red Bank, Matawan and Middletown. Learn more about this opportunity.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross provides immediate emergency assistance to people affected by disaster, such as; shelter, food and water, health and mental health services to address basic human needs. The goal of Red Cross disaster relief is to enable individuals and families to resume their normal daily activities independently. If your home is unlivable, contact your local Red Cross for assistance in meeting your disaster-related emergency needs. Find your local Red Cross Chapter. All emergency shelters are closed at this time.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army continues to help those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Assistance provided varies depending upon the circumstances. To learn more about the general assistance provided, call the Salvation Army Helpline at 888.247.0100 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to Noon on Saturday.
Missing Pets
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has been working with the state Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to help dogs, cats and other pets and owners in need. A hotline for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy who left their pets behind when evacuating their homes in advance of the storm has now been opened. The phone number to call is 1-855-407-4787 (1-855-407-HSUS).
Those who call the hotline will be asked for information to assist animal rescue teams in locating the animals and bringing them safely to a shelter. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.
Food Safety and General Health Hotline
In response to general health concerns in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Department of Health and Senior Services opened a toll-free Public Health Call Center to provide callers with information about prevention and treatment of mold, disposal of spoiled food due to power outages and water concerns.
The call center was being staffed by health experts from the Department’s Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health who answered questions about prevention/treatment of mold growth in flooded homes and businesses, disposal of food spoiled as a result of power outages and concerns about water that needs to be treated to make it safe for drinking and other uses.
The DHSS Call Center has now been closed, but if you have questions regarding mold, lead, asbestos, or flood water clean-up you can call 609.826.4950 or 609.826.4920.
Drinking Water
When significant power outages occur as they did during and after the hurricane, drinking water systems can be compromised. In the early stages of recovery Public Water Utilities in affected areas recommended specific safety precautions be taken to be sure that the water was safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. Boil Water Advisories change with every passing day. Most of these advisories have been lifted. To find out what is recommended in your area, contact your local municipality, read the NJOEM Alerts and Updates or call your water company.
If you get your water from a private well, flush the well until the water is clear and free of sediment. To do this, attach a hose to an outside spigot and turn the water on. After the water is clear, then test the well for coliform bacteria. Do not drink the water until it has been tested if your well was under floodwater or if the water was dirty or cloudy when you turned it on.
Use bottled or boiled water until the testing can be done. To properly boil water, bring water to a rolling boil and hold it there for one minute. Let it cool and use as needed for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing hands and for your pets.
Call your local health department for information on disinfecting private wells.
Emotional Support
Free counseling to help with the emotional toll of Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath is available to all NJ residents. Stress can surface in many forms and often appears weeks or months after a traumatic event. It may include anger, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity and/or increased alcohol or drug use. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress or feeling overwhelmed by painful emotions related to recent events, call the New Jersey MentalHealthCares' Disaster Helpline: 1-877-294-4357 (HELP). A TTY line is available at (877) 294-4356. Translation services are available as well.
Emotional Support for Children of All Ages
Teens troubled by all that is happening around them can reach out to the 2NDFLOOR - a confidential and anonymous helpline for NJ's youth and young adults ranging in age from 10 to 24. It is open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Youth can either call the helpline using a toll-free number, 888-222-2228, or access the interactive website. Calls to the 2NDFLOOR youth helpline are anonymous and confidential except in life-threatening situations.
The service is designed for listening, helping and guiding youth with their concerns. The phone lines are staffed by licensed professionals and trained volunteers (who are closely supervised and guided by social workers and professional counselors.) Hearing impaired callers, can reach 2NDFLOOR at the following TTY number: 732-264-1703.
Further Reading
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Disaster Resource Center's website provides an overview of children's reactions to disasters, how to talk with children about a disaster, and when to be concerned about a child's response, including potential signs of PTSD in children.
Talking to Children about Earthquakes and other Natural Disasters provides suggestions for how to talk to children about natural disasters.
Recovery After a Hurricane is a good basic overall resource for parents and caregivers about hurricanes, their impact on children and families, what parents, teachers and others can do to help children cope with hurricanes, as well as activities for children and adolescents. The site's Description, Readiness, and Response tabs offer additional information.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Manual of Psychological First Aid: Appendix E consists of a series of handouts that cover possible adult reactions to disasters and inappropriate/appropriate coping mechanisms, parenting tips for helping specific age groups cope with disaster, and tips for adults regarding drug and alcohol use and relaxation in confronting disaster.
Download a copy of Managing the Emotional Consequences of Storms and Flooding. (Also available in Spanish)
Help for Families of Children with Special Needs
Parents Guidelines for Helping Children After a Hurricane
Watch how Big Bird responds to his lost nest in a portrayal of recovery after a hurricane hits Sesame Street.
Department of Education Launches Hotline for Displaced Families
The Department of Education has opened a hotline for families displaced by Hurricane Sandy. Families will be able to call the Department directly at 609-292-2070 to speak with a department staffer about any questions concerning the schooling options available to them, which may include arrangements with their home district or enrollment in an alternative district. The hotline is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Suspension of Federal Student Loan Payments
If you live in a federally declared disaster area, you may be eligible for relief that would temporarily suspend your federal student loan payments. Relief will not be proactively given to you - you must request it. You have different options for requesting relief, depending on how you received your loans:
- For Direct Loan (DL) program loans: Call the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 800.848.0979.
- For Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans: Contact your lender directly or call 800.4FEDAID (800.433.3243).
- All borrowers can also contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman at 877.557.2575 or 202.377.3800 for assistance.
Learn more.
College Scholarship
Harcum College is offering full room and board for two years to new eligible applicants who were affected by Hurricane Sandy and reside in Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean or Union County. Learn more about this scholarship.
Tax Relief
The IRS announced that it is providing tax relief to individual and business taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Sandy that include certain taxpayers in New Jersey. The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting in late October. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 1, 2013 to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This includes the fourth quarter individual estimated tax payment, normally due Jan. 15, 2013.
It also includes payroll and excise tax returns and accompanying payments for the third and fourth quarters, normally due on Oct. 31, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013 respectively. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 series returns with an original or extended deadline falling during this period.
The IRS will abate any interest, late-payment or late-filing penalty that would otherwise apply. The IRS automatically provides this relief to any taxpayer located in the disaster area. Taxpayers need not contact the IRS to get this relief.
For full details, about this and other tax related initiatives visit the IRS newsroom.
If you need a copy of a recent tax return call the IRS at 866.562.5227 and press 1 for Hurricane Sandy.
Legal Assistance
Call 1-888-222-5765 to be connected to the Legal Services of New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Legal Assistance Hotline. The hotline was created to assist lower income New Jersey residents with civil legal problems caused by Hurricane Sandy or the aftermath of the storm. To those who qualify, all services are FREE.
The Hotline is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You may also apply for Legal Services online. You will receive a response within 2 business days. Find out more here.
Disaster Legal Services are also being provided for free by the American Bar Association (Young Lawyers division.) A toll-free hotline number 1.888.541.1900 is now available for survivors in New Jersey facing legal issues due to Hurricane Sandy. Residents who cannot afford to pay an attorney can call the hotline to request free legal assistance.
The type of legal assistance available includes:
- Assistance with replacing legal documents that may have been lost due to flooding
- Assistance with life, medical and property insurance-related claims
- Assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures
- Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
- Counseling on landlord/tenant problems
- Creditor-debtor matters
- FEMA appeals
Through an intake process, callers will be matched with a volunteer attorney who can provide assistance or general legal information regarding their issue. Callers should say that they are seeking legal assistance related to Hurricane Sandy. The hotline will be staffed during normal business hours, but messages can be left at any time.
The helpline is part of a long-standing partnership between FEMA and the ABA, and is administered by the New Jersey State Bar Association through its Mass Disaster Response Program.
Free legal services for nonprofit organizations are also available. The Pro Bono Partnership provides business and transactional legal services without charge to nonprofit organizations serving the disadvantaged or enhancing the quality of life in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Contact them for legal assistance on issues that your organization may be facing as a result of Hurricane Sandy, such as questions concerning employee compensation, real estate issues, or insurance coverage. Learn more at www.probonopartner.org.
Email: information@probonopartner.org
Phone: 973.240.6955
Volunteer/Donate
NJ 2-1-1 Is in contact with organizations that are providing assistance to residents throughout the state. Many are looking for public support either through donations of money, clothing or supplies. Some need the help of volunteers to staff shelters, food banks and distribution centers. See a full listing of opportunities for volunteering/donating to help those who need your assistance now. If you would like your organization included in this list, please send the information to info@nj211.org.
