HUNT VALLEY, Md. – The State of Maryland and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announce the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy in Somerset County
Anyone may visit a Disaster Recovery Center to speak with a recovery representative and get first-hand information about disaster assistance and resources available to them. Representatives from FEMA, numerous Maryland state agencies and local government offices are available to provide information and to help residents with storm losses and to file claims.
The Maryland Department of Human Resources is managing a Disaster Recovery Center in Somerset County:
Center: Lower Somerset County
Ambulance & Rescue Squad building
Location: #2 Mill Lane, Crisfield, MD 21817
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed: Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan. 1.
Assistance for affected individuals, families and businesses at the Disaster Recovery Center may include:
- Social Services benefits such as Temporary Cash Assistance, the Home Energy Assistance Program and the Food Supplement Program (“Food Stamps”)
- The Maryland Disaster Housing Assistance Program (“Housing Voucher”) and the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program
- Crisis counseling and mental health support
- Small Business Administration – low interest loan programs
- Information on Disaster Unemployment Insurance
- Disaster Legal Services
Representatives from the Maryland Departments of Aging, Disabilities and Assessment and Taxation are available to answer questions and link residents to needed services.
Federal assistance can include grants to individuals for rental assistance and essential home repairs. Specialists can direct survivors to agencies that may be able to meet specific needs. Information is also available on rebuilding safer and stronger homes.
“You can register with FEMA by phone or online, so it isn’t necessary to go to a disaster recovery center,” Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Lapinski said. “However, if you want to speak with someone in person, we’re there for you.”
Customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to assist survivors in completing their low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions about the loan program. For many people, a completed SBA loan application is necessary to be considered for federal financial disaster assistance. People with home-based businesses or rental property affected by the storm may also be eligible for SBA loans.
Before going to a center, people with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA in any of the following ways:
• Online at www.disasterassistance.gov
• By phone 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.
For more information on Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, visit http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
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Contact: Brian Schleter
443-253-4204, Brian.Schleter@maryland.gov
