Oneida County Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: October 5, 2011
Oneida County is now eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA says they want Oneida County to know it is easy to apply.
After damage assessments, FEMA has added Oneida County to the eligibility list for disaster rlief.
Homeowners and renters who suffered damages from Tropical Storm Lee can apply. Here is how it works.
Only people who were affected by Tropical Storm Lee can apply. That means if you were affected within the time frame of September 7th to September 11th you can qualify to receive aid.
FEMA says it is easy as picking up the phone and dialing 1-800-621-FEMA or visit their website at disasterassistance.gov.
FEMA representative Peter Lembessis says the grant money is now available.
"Grants they don't have to pay back, they don't have to pay taxes. It is totally confidential and we don't check credit," said Lembessis.
Peter says everything starts with a registration. He says after you apply an inspector will come out to your home to assess the damage.
"We want to make your house safe, livable and sanitary and that is the first step to recovery," said Lembessis.
Susan Montrose, a Whitesboro resident who was affected by Tropical Storm Lee says she applied for FEMA aid at the time when Oneida County was not eligible.
FEMA called her this morning and will be assessing damages in her home.
"We compiled whatever receipts or information we had. We are very much looking forward to them helping us if that is possible. I know that a lot of people lost so much. It's hard to say what they are going to be able to help us with," explained Montrose.
