This guide was produced by New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio to assist homeowners and other

city residents that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy and as a result are now suffering incredible hardship and economic uncertainty. The Public Advocates office is committed to helping you navigate through these difficult times and pave a path to recovery. If you have questions, you can contact our Constituent Services hotline at 212-669-7250 or send an email to GetHelp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov.

Depending on the type of damage to your property and its cause, you may be eligible to receive some payments from either your flood insurance, homeowners or renters insurance policy. All insurance policies are ultimately governed by their terms so it is important that you contact your insurance agent for details of your particular policy. Standard homeowners or renters insurance does not cover flooding, but it may cover other types of water damage from storms. While the terms of insurance policies can vary as to what damages they cover, for insurance purposes, flooding generally refers to water that enters your house at the ground level as the result of the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. Water damage, by contrast, generally refers to when water damages your home before coming in contact with the ground (for example, if rain soaks through your roof). 1. Contact your insurance agent or insurance company representative to notify them that you have damage and want to make a claim, and prepare a Notice of Loss form. It is important to begin this process immediately. All insurance policies require you to give prompt written notice of loss.

Type of Damage Water damage from flooding Damage from Rain or wind

Who Can Help? Flood insurance* (or FEMA) Homeowners or rental insurance* (or FEMA) FEMA

Making repairs not covered by insurance Replacing essential household items not covered by insurance Lost wages

FEMA

NYS Department of Labor FEMA

Temporary housing

2. Separate damaged items from nondamaged items. Dont throw anything away before an adjuster has seen it. Take photos and/or video of damaged items. Although it is generally not advised to throw anything away before an adjuster has seen it, the New York State Department of Financial Services has instructed insurers to accept homeowners documentation, including photos and video, of losses.

3. Create a list of any structural damage to show the adjuster. If possible, photograph the outside of the premises, showing any damage or flooding. Also, photograph the inside of the premises, showing the damaged property and the height of the water if your property was flooded. In addition, conduct a complete inventory of all damaged property. All damage should be photographed. A sample Damage Assessment Report for inventory is included on the next page. 4. Report your storm damage to the City of New Yorks Office of Emergency Management by calling 311 or visiting www.nyc.gov/hmtl/oem/html/nycsevere weather/damage_form.shtml 5. Arrange a visit with an adjuster from the insurance company. Generally, your adjuster will contact you within 24-48 hours after receiving your notice of loss. When the adjuster visits your property, let him or her know if you need an advance or partial payment of loss. 6. Your claim is payable after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer receives your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss.

It may be tempting to immediately get rid of everything which has been damaged in the storm please dont! It is important that you document all damage with photos or video and dont throw anything away before an adjuster has seen it. If needed, move the damaged items outside. For claims under homeowners insurance, if dwelling debris must be removed before the adjuster is able to examine it, homeowners should: Inventory all the damaged items. Take individual color photos of the damaged property, targeting any high ticket items. If possible, videotape the damage items. Have the camera set to record the date / time. If possible, take samples or swatches of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, window treatments, and other items where quality will be a claims factor. The inventory should reflect corresponding picture for validation. the

Keep this information in a secured location to share when the adjuster arrives.

Source: National Flood Insurance Program (http://www.floodsmart.gov); National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Claims Handbook, FEMA F- 687, February 2009 (http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184); and FEMAs Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim (http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/claim.shtm).

DAMAGED OR LOST PROPERTY ITEMS

REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT NEEDED

ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED FOR REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT

REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT STATUS

Completed By: ________________________

Date: ____________

Time: ____________

1) I have received a settlement from my insurance company and it is not enough to cover my losses. What should I do now?
FEMA recommends the following: Read over your settlement documents carefully and be sure you understand your policy. If you believe a mistake has been made, contact your insurance agent. If you are still not satisfied, your agent can tell you how to contest the settlement. Next, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA. FEMA and other agencies may be able to help cover those losses that are uninsured and otherwise eligible.

2) Are insurance deductibles covered under FEMA's programs?

FEMA does not cover insurance deductibles. If your insurance settlement does not meet your disaster related need you may be eligible for assistance from FEMA.

3) What documents does FEMA want from my insurance company?

If you apply for help from FEMA because your insurance does not cover all of your disaster related needs, you need to write a letter to FEMA explaining your situation and include a copy of a settlement or denial letter from your insurance company. FEMA cannot duplicate any insurance coverage. If you do not file a claim with your insurance company FEMA help may be limited.

4) My insurance company told me it would be weeks before they come to see my damages. Can FEMA help?
If a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed the claim you may be eligible for an insurance advancement from FEMA. These funds are considered a loan and must be repaid to FEMA once you receive your settlement from your insurance company. Contact FEMA if your insurance settlement is delayed. FEMA will send you a Request for Advancement and Signature letter. You must complete and return this letter before FEMA can evaluate your request for assistance.
Source: http://www.fema.gov/disaster-assistance-frequently-asked-questions

5) What should I do if I have been unable to reach my insurance company via web, phone or email?
You should first document how and when you tried to reach company. To file a complaint about an insurance company, call the Department of Financial Services storm hotline at 800339-1759. You should be prepared to provide your name, property address, name of insurance company, claim or policy number, and the nature of complaint.

6) How does a policy holder dispute a settlement?

The exact process for disputing a settle will depend on the insurance company and specific policy. The policy holder can hire their own contractor to evaluate damage and file a complaint with Department of Financial Services by calling 800-339-1759. If the dispute is solely about the amount (not the scope of damage), each policy has an appraisal clause that requires mandatory mediationand that's binding. The policy will explain how to set that in motion.
Source: New York State Department of Financial Services

On October 30, 2012, New York City was declared a major disaster zone by the President and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid had been made available to New York. FEMA provides financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to eligible individuals and households who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is January 28, 2013. Individuals in disaster zones may be eligible for the following types of assistance: Payments for temporary housing Compensation to make repairs or replace damaged property Up to 27 weeks of lost wages Low-interest loans to rebuild your home Disaster food stamps Free counseling & legal services Tax & Student Loan Relief

In order to be eligible for disaster assistance from FEMA, you need to first complete an application form. This will take approximately 20 minutes and should be done immediately. The deadline to register with FEMA is January 28, 2013. There are 3 ways to register with FEMA: 1) Apply online at FEMAs website: www.DisasterAssistance.gov, 2) Use a smartphone and visit FEMAs mobile website at m.fema.gov 3) Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) Monday through Sunday between the hours of 7am and 10pm. Applicants should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

For a complete list of FEMAs assistance programs for which you may be eligible, take a short questionnaire at: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance/questionaire

Individuals whose homes are unlivable can apply for rental payments for temporary housing. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.

FEMA offers grants to affected residents and business owners for the following purposes:

 Making home repairs and replacing essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Replacing personal property and helping meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

If you lost income because of Hurricane Sandy, you may be eligible for compensation up to $405/ week through the New York State Department of Labors Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The maximum duration for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits is 27 weeks starting from October 29, 2012 through May 5, 2013. The application deadline is February 4, 2012. To qualify for assistance, you must live or work in one of New Yorks five boroughs, Nassau County, Rockland County, Suffolk County or Westchester County and will need to demonstrate that you lost income or your job due to Hurricane Sandy. The following are examples of situations that may make you eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance: You were injured during Hurricane Sandy and are unable to work because of those injuries. Your workplace (or primary source of income) was damaged or destroyed. You were unable to work because transportation (including subways, buses or your car) was not available. You were unable to get to your place of work because of damaged infrastructure due to Hurricane Sandy. You were about to begin a new job, but could not because of Hurricane Sandy. You are out of work because the Federal government took over or closed the facility where you worked. Your clients or customers were affected by Hurricane Sandy and therefore your business income is down.

The only way to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is to call the NYS Department of Labor hotline at 1-888-209-8124 or if you live out of state, call 1-877-358-5306. Hotline hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. When you call, an automated system will ask you a series of questions to verify that you lost income or your job because of Hurricane Sandy. To apply, you should have the following information ready and available: Your Social Security number Your NYS driver license or Motor Vehicle ID card number (if you have one) Your mailing address and zip code A phone number where you can be reached for additional information Your alien registration card number (if you have one) and The names and addresses of all employers you worked for within the 18 months prior to October 29, 2012, including any in another state

Affected residents are eligible for low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans are available for up to $200,000 for a primary residence

and up to $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. The filing deadline to return loan applications for physical property damage has been extended to January 28, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury loan applications is July 31, 2013.

Beginning Wednesday, December 12, 2012, New York City will begin implementing a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) for individuals and families in New York City zip codes most affected by Hurricane Sandy. From December 12 through December 18, households living in the designated zip codes that do not currently get regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits can apply for DSNAP benefits to receive a onetime benefit equal to the maximum monthly regular SNAP benefit for the households size ($526 for a family of three). To be eligible for D-SNAP in New York City, applicants must: Not be a current SNAP recipient Have lived in one of these designated, hardest hit zip codes as of October 27, 2012: o Coney Island, Brooklyn (zip code 11224 and 11235) o Red Hook, Brooklyn (zip code 11231) o Gerritsen Beach South of Allen Avenue, Brooklyn (partial area of zip code 11229) o Lower East Side, Manhattan (zip code 10002) o Staten Island: Southeast shore (zip code 10306), and North Midland Beach South of Seaview Avenue (partial area of zip code 10305) o The Far Rockaways, Queens (zip codes 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694, and 11697) Must have sustained at least one of the following adverse effects due to the storm: o Storm-related damage to their households home or self-employment business o Paid other un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses between October 27 and November 25. (The cost of food lost due to the disaster is not an allowable expense, but the cost of meals purchased at restaurants because of the storm is allowable.) o Have lost income or been unable to access liquid resources (cash, bank accounts) between October 27 and November 25. Must meet the D-SNAP income guidelines.

Applicants, or authorized representatives applying on behalf of a household (see below for details), must apply in person at one of these two locations: 1. 495 Clermont Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn, from December 12 to December 18 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. On the first two days, applications at this location will only be accepted alphabetically, according to the first initial of the applicants last name: A-M on Wednesday, December 12 and N-Z on Thursday, December 13. From Friday, December 14 to Tuesday, December 18 applications will be accepted regardless of applicants last name. 2. New Dorp High School Cafeteria, in Staten Island (465 New Dorp Lane): Friday, December 14, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday, December 17, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Applicants will need to bring any relevant documents to support their application. Applicants should bring documents that verify the following: Applicants must be able to verify their identity in order to receive D-SNAP benefits. Applicants who cannot verify their identity will have their applications denied immediately. Residency in one of the targeted zip codes on October 27, 2012. Income during the period between October 27, 2012 and November 25, 2012. Un-reimbursed storm-related expenses paid between October 27, 2012 and November 25, 2012. Other documents verifying liquid resources (savings and checking accounts) and family composition also will be reviewed and will assist in determining eligibility. If applicants are not currently residing in their homes because of storm-related damage, they should provide a reliable alternative mailing address to which a benefit card can be mailed.

Under the D-SNAP guidelines, for a family of one, the monthly income limit is $2,268 with a benefit of $200; for a family of two is $2,965 limit with a $367 benefit; for a family of three is $3,416 limit with a $526 benefit; and, for a family of four is $4,034 limit with a $668 benefit. Eligible applicants with mobility issues may send a family member, friend or neighbor, to represent them and apply on their behalf. This authorized representative must be designated in writing by an adult member of the applying household, and must be very knowledgeable about the applicant households circumstances. They must be able to answer questions about income, resources, and other issues on the applicant households behalf and should bring all the necessary documentation mentioned above. Application forms will available at D-SNAP locations and can be downloaded as of December 11, 2012 from HRAs website at NYC.gov. New Yorks Additional Food Assistance Efforts

Counseling services are available through the Crisis Counseling and Assistance and Training Program (CCP). This assistance is paid for by FEMA in federally declared disaster areas. There are immediate grants to cover up to 60 days of counseling after the disaster, and grants can cover up to nine full months following a disaster. Additional information on this program can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/additional-assistance

Business owners in a federally declared disaster area may deduct the loss or partial loss of personal and business use property on your individual federal income tax return for the year you incurred the loss. If you paid taxes in the tax year immediately preceding the tax year in which the disaster occurred, you can elect to deduct your loss on a Form 1040x for the prior year instead of waiting to file your current year return. This will allow you to receive a refund of some or all of the taxes paid on your prior year return. For additional information, visit www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2194.pdf or call the Disaster Assistance hotline at 1-866-562-5227.

Free legal services may be available for your business through FEMA to help provide you legal assistance with filing insurance claims, landlord issues, etc. Additional information on this can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/additional-assistance and http://www.disasterlegalaid.org/

If you did not receive your regularly scheduled payment from Social Security as a result of Hurricane Sandy, in most cases you can go to any open Social Security office and request an immediate payment. To find the nearest open Social Security office, call 1-800-773-1213.

If you have federal student loans and were impacted by the storm, you may be eligible for administrative forbearance of loan repayment for a period of up to three months. During forbearance, payments are temporarily postponed or reduced. However, interest is still charged during the forbearance period. You should contact your lender or loan servicer to request this forbearance.

To complete your registration with FEMA, you will need the following information:

You will be asked to provide your social security number; if you do not have a social security number, your household may still be eligible to receive assistance if there is a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or Qualified Alien with a social security number. (NOTE: If you, your spouse or a minor child in the household are a U.S. Citizen, NonCitizen National, or a Qualified Alien and do not have a social security number, FEMA will not be able to complete a registration. The Social Security number is required for Identity Verification purposes.) If you are registering for a business, enter the social security number of the responsible party for the business, the social security number will be used for an identifier only. If you are in need of further explanation/information call FEMA Helpline at (1-800-6213362).

You will be asked to identify the type(s) of insurance coverage you have.

You will be asked to enter your family's gross total household income at the time of the disaster.

Along with the address and phone number where the damages occurred, you will be asked for information on how FEMA can contact you. It is very important that you provide FEMA with your current mailing address and phone numbers where you can be contacted.

If you are determined to be eligible for assistance and would prefer that funds be transferred to your account, you will be asked for your banking information, which includes; the institution name, type of account, routing and account number.

If you have applied for assistance, you will need to complete a Declaration and Release Form (OMB form 009-0-3) on the following page and send it to: FEMA Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 Or fax it to: 1-800-827-8112

If you need help filling out this form, please call FEMAs helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

The frequently asked questions below are designed to help you safely cleanup your home and begin the process of rebuilding.

As of December 11, 2012, Restoration Centers locations were open for business daily at the seven locations below. Restoration Centers can provide assistance with the NYC Rapid Repairs program, food and nutrition assistance, temporary housing, health and medical benefits, business restoration, counseling services, financial assistance, and personal records. Red Hook Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM Coffey Park 85 Richards Street Brooklyn, 11231 Gravesend Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM SSA Building 10 Bouck Ct. Brooklyn, 11223 Far Rockaway Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM 10-01 Beach 20th St. Queens, 11691 Staten Island Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM 1976 Hylan Boulevard Coney Island Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM MCU Park 1904 Surf Avenue Brooklyn, 112224 Fort Tilden Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM 415 State Road (across from St. Genevieve's ) Queens, 11697 Arverne Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM Shorefront B and C 68-20 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Queens, 11692

Yes, NYC Rapid Repairs is a new program to send teams of contractors and City inspectors to neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy to quickly repair damaged homes. This program is for property owners only. If you rent your home and there are unsafe conditions, you should call 311. Step 1: Home Assessment The first step to sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs is an assessment of the damage in your home. Assessments are free. An assessment will not affect any other FEMA benefits you may receive.

Sign up for an NYC Rapid Repairs assessment by visiting NYC.gov, calling 311, or visiting one of six Restoration Centers (see box on the right for locations). If you are a homeowner and applying to cover damages to your primary residence, you will need a FEMA number to register for NYC Rapid Repairs. After you sign up for an assessment, a representative of Tishman Construction will contact you within 48 hours to schedule an appointment at your home. An Assessment Team comprised of an electrician, a plumber, and an architect or engineer will arrive at the scheduled time to inspect your home. The Assessment Team will present you with a list of necessary repairs to make your home safe for living. Step 2: Making Repairs After you receive your list of repairs from your assessment, you will have the opportunity to sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs. If they so choose, homeowners still have the option of having repairs made through their insurance company or with a standard reimbursement from FEMA.

If they choose NYC Rapid Repairs, the City will handle getting the contractors in and getting the work done. There are two ways to sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs: Option A: You can register for NYC Rapid Repairs at your home with your Assessment Team. If you would like the Citys contractors to make repairs to your home, the Assessment Team will ask you to sign a waiver to allow the Citys contractors to make repairs in your home and will share your information and the scope of work with the Citys contractors. The Citys contractors will contact you to schedule the repairs to your home. Option B: If you would like to discuss the repairs with your family, your insurance company, or are not ready to register for NYC Rapid Repairs with your Assessment Team, you can register for NYC Rapid Repairs by calling 311 at any time. Please note that you will need a FEMA ID number to participate in Rapid Repairs, which you can get by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-6213362, or visiting one of the NYC Restoration Centers.

If you smell natural gas contact National Grid as soon as possible: Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island: 718-643-4050 On Long Island and the Rockaways: 1-800-490-0045 If you do not smell natural gas but have no gas service: Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island: 718-643-4050 On Long Island and the Rockaways: 1-800-930-5003 If your appliances have been in contact with water, please contact a licensed plumbing or heating contractor to make sure the appliances are safe to operate. If your gas service was off for safety reasons, please contact a licensed plumbing or heating contractor before contacting National Grid. The licensed plumbing or heating contractor will make sure that your service is safe to restore.

The NYC Rapid Repairs teams will work closely with City agencies, including the Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development, to make sure that any necessary inspections and certifications are done as quickly as possible. Homes eligible for NYC Rapid Repairs will be those who have received a green placard from the Department of Buildings, indicating that the home is structurally sound.

If your basement is severely flooded, take precautions before pumping out the water. Water in your basement may be helping to stabilize the basement walls against pressure from the outside. If you drain your basement too quickly, the outsize pressure can cause the basement floor and walls to crack and collapse. Be sure the electricity is off before entering a flooded basement. For insurance purposes, its also a good idea to take pictures of the flooding before beginning work. When the water is no longer covering the ground surrounding your house, you can begin pumping the water from your basement. CAUTION: Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors as they produce deadly carbon monoxide exhaust fumes.

 In the case of severe flooding, pump out the water in stages. Decrease water level by 2 to 3 feet, mark the water level, and wait overnight. If the water went back up overnight and covered your mark, its too early to drain your basement. In these cases, wait another 24 hours and repeat this process.
Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Division and Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (http://www.emd.wa.gov/ preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml)

If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you're in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel. If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored. Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios are working. Also, make sure you have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates and news on power outages can be heard on most local radio and television stations. Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 24 hours. Customers can report downed power lines, outages, and check service restoration status by computer or mobile device at www.conEd.com. They also can call 1-80075-CONED (1-800-752-6633).

Drying and disinfecting the basement of your business is critically important to prevent the growth of dangerous mold. Use a shovel to remove any mud from your basement. Mud left behind by floodwaters poses a health hazard and will be more difficult to remove after it dries. Wash off the walls and floors with clean water and then disinfect them with a solution of 1 12 cups of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water. CAUTION: NEVER mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products. This will produce deadly chlorine gas. Clean and disinfect all vents or registers of heating and air conditioning ducts, the wall covers for wall switches and outlets, and any flexible ducting, including dryer connections that were exposed to water.

Check your water system, including drains and utility connections, for leaks, breaks, and loose fittings. Before turning on the electricity, check your incoming electrical service for any damage. Replace any wiring, switches and/or outlets that were submerged or got wet during the flood. We recommend you retain the services of a certified professional. To help dry out your home and reduce odors, run fans and dehumidifiers.

 Depending on the severity of flooding and type of the building materials used in your basement, all or part of your walls may need to be replaced. Wallboard that has been soaked by floodwater can present a permanent health hazard. Plaster and paneling can often be saved, but you will need to get air circulating in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills.
Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Division; Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml); NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance- post-irene.pdf); and the Red Cross and FEMA, Repairing Your Flooded Home

Exposure to mold can have serious health effects including allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. It is important to clean up mold as soon as you notice it to prevent serious problems. For small amounts of mold (less than 3 feet by 3 feet), you should be able to handle the clean-up yourself. For large jobs or if you have any mold allergies, you should contact a certified professional who has experience with mold removal. If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, a professional is also highly recommended. Wear waterproof gloves, goggles and a face mask when cleaning. Scrubbing the mold off hard surfaces using soap or a detergent and water, then dry completely Throw away anything that touches the mold, including absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet. Keep a close eye on surfaces to ensure that the mold does not come back. If mold continues to reappear, consult a professional.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ehs/ehsfloods.shtml)

If you are receiving food stamps and you lost food that you purchased with your food stamp benefit during the storm, you may qualify to be reimbursed for the monetary value of that food. To request replacement benefits, you must report the loss at a local food stamp center within ten days of the loss, and follow up by completing a request form (ldss-2291) within ten days of your reporting the loss. For assistance, call the Food Bank for New York City at 212.894.8060.

For additional assistance, contact the Public Advocates hotline at 212-669-7250 or email gethelp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov.