Ida Relief Fund for Excluded New Yorkers

New York State began a new program that will allocate $27 million to provide hurricane Ida relief to undocumented New Yorkers, not eligible for FEMA assistance.

Make the Road NY is one of several Community Based Organizations that will distribute this funding to those who live in Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Brooklyn and Westchester. Individuals will have until December 6th to start the application process with us. Read below to know if you’re eligible and to know what steps to take to apply.

Who is eligible?

In order to qualify, you must meet both of the following criteria: 1) you must live in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, Westchester, Long Island, or Rockland and 2) you must be ineligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program because your household does not include a U.S. citizen, green card holder, asylee, refugee or other qualifying immigration statuses.

Applicants must require financial assistance due to necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. Business-related needs are not eligible for Financial Assistance.

Call 718-565-8500 ext 5 to be screened for eligibility by one of our staff members.

What kind of support is available?

Financial assistance is available to help address the following needs and expenses:

  • Hotels, motels, or other short-term lodging while you were displaced from your home
  • Rental costs for alternative housing
  • Home repair, cleaning and removal services, and replacing personal property
  • Funeral services
  • Medical and dental care
  • Childcare 
  • Moving, storage, and transportation/vehicle repair
  • Critical needs such as water, food, first aid, personal hygiene 

What kind of documentation is required?

You will need to provide proof of identity and proof of eligibility. Depending on the type of financial assistance you are applying for, you may also be required to provide documentation such as: 

  • Proof of occupancy at the time of the disaster (a signed lease, rent receipts, bills etc.) 
  • Photographs or videos of the damaged residence or personal property
  • Receipts from hotels, or other short-term housing
  • Medical bills and statements from your medical provider

How do I apply?

Please call 718-565-8500 ext. 5 and leave your name and number on the voicemail  to be screened for eligibility by a staff member at Make the Road. If you are eligible, an advocate will contact you to assist in filling out an application. 

If you are not eligible for this program because you are eligible for FEMA assistance, please visit here to apply or call 1-800-621-3362. You can also visit this site for more resources here.

DOWNLOAD OUR ELIGIBILITY ONE-PAGER

Appealing a Denial of FEMA Benefits

There are many reasons for being denied FEMA assistance on your initial application. Examples include filling out the application incorrectly or having insurance that covers the damage you experienced. 

Have you been found ineligible for FEMA assistance?

If you disagree with a FEMA eligibility decision you may appeal the decision. Once you receive your ineligibility notice, you have 60 days to file the appeal. Be sure to carefully read FEMA’s determination letter to you, as it will contain the specific reason why your application was denied. Sometimes, the reason can be as simple as a missing document. 

The appeal can be uploaded to your account here, or faxed to 800-827-8112, or mailed to the FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782. 

The appeal should contain the following information: 

  • The reasons for the appeal.
  • Include your full name, date of birth, current address, disaster number, and FEMA registration number.
  • Date and sign the letter. The letter must be signed by the applicant or person who the applicant authorizes to act on their behalf. The signature must also be accompanied by a notary stamp or seal OR the statement “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
  • Make sure to include your nine-digit FEMA registration number on each page of the appeal and supporting documents.

Please also include with your appeal letter copies of any supporting documents, such as the FEMA determination letter, repair estimates, records of damages (such as photos), proof of occupancy, proof of ownership, and any receipts or records of insurance denial. 

For questions about the letter or the entire appeal process, you can visit here, use the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800.621.3362. Operators are on duty seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. 

Disaster Legal Services 

Disaster Legal Services can provide free, confidential legal help for FEMA appeals and other disaster-related services. Call 888-399-5459 or go here. Disaster Legal Services attorneys are not FEMA employees and do not share information with FEMA. 

DOWNLOAD OUR ONE-PAGER ON HOW TO APPEAL DENIAL OF BENEFITS