In case you missed it, the Sandy Task Force—which includes all four senators from NJ and NY—met in Washington, D.C. this past Tuesday, April 28, 2015.  The aim of the task force is to help Sandy victims still recovering from the storm by reforming the claims process for the National Flood Insurance Program.  Below are some resources covering Tuesday’s meeting as well as some relevant background articles.

Complete video recording of Tuesday’s hearing (begins at 19:19)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_q4D7tl3ao

Press Release from Sen. Menendez’s office

http://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/nj-ny-senators-convene-sandy-task-force

Asbury Park Press, Russ Zimmer

Sandy claims review could begin next month, FEMA says

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/monmouth-county/sandy-recovery/2015/04/28/sandy-claims-review-fema/26538379/

FEMA Sandy clawback bill in limbo

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/monmouth-county/sandy-recovery/2015/04/27/menendez-fema-sandy-clawback/26468655/

What’s on today’s agenda for Sandy Task Force?

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/monmouth-county/sandy-recovery/2015/04/27/sandy-task-force-fema/26450009/

NJTV

NJ Lawmakers Want Answers About Alleged Fraudulent Activity Post-Sandy

http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/nj-lawmakers-want-answers-about-fraudulent-activity-post-sandy/

FEMA Official: No Evidence of Insurance Fraud Post-Sandy

http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/fema-official-no-evidence-of-insurance-fraud-post-sandy/

To see our “live” Tweets from Tuesday’s meeting, go to https://twitter.com/OCLTRG.

Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone announced their work on a bill that will bar the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from requiring some Sandy victims to pay back excessive federal assistance.  Though the bill won’t protect those who obtained money through deceit and fraud, it will help those who received extra financial aid due to mistakes made by FEMA.

The bill will include individuals who make less than $250,000 per year.  This covers about 800 New Jersey residents.  Anyone who received a FEMA recoupment letter should still respond to it as the legislation has not yet been passed.

To read the original article from the Asbury Park Press, click here.

Two new CDBG-DR programs have been opened for New Jersey residents still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.  The LMI Homeowners Rebuilding Program (LMI) and Sandy Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) opened on January 5, 2015 and will accept new applications until 5PM on March 4, 2015.

The new LMI program is focused on helping homeowners of Limited English Proficiency, Manufactured Housing Units, as well as, low-to-moderate income homeowners who did not apply for the RREM Program.

For more information and to apply for the LMI Program, visit renewjerseystronger.org.

The TBRA program assists low- and moderate-income households with temporary tenant-based rental assistance within the 9 most impacted counties.  Vouchers are given over a 12 month period, with a possible extension of another 12 months.  Assistance cannot exceed 24 months.  A FEMA number is not required to be eligible for the TBRA program.

For more information and to apply for the TBRA Program, visit renewjerseystronger.org.

If further assistance is desired to apply for these programs, free HUD-certified housing counseling services are available within each of the 9 most impacted counties.  The main office in Ocean County is located at O.C.E.A.N., Inc. — 22 Hyers St.  Toms River, NJ 08754.  For more information, visit or call them at  732-244-2351, Ext. 20, Ext. 21, or Ext. 22 from 8:30a – 4:30p.

A message from the OCLTRG’s Executive Director, Sue Marticek:

Hello All,

As many of you know the OCLTRG is looking for funding from the State’s Action Plan 3 to continue to help residents with RREM.    We would appreciate your help to support our Regional Compliance Plan that would allow us to assist homeowners to get back home and be in compliance with State RREM program.

PLEASE take a moment to submit a Public Comment that states your support for the “Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group Regional Compliance Plan”.

All comments must be received on or before January 15, 2015 at 5:00 pm

Fill out form: http://www.formsite.com/dcanet/AP3-Public-Comment/index.html

Send direct e-mail: sandy.publiccomment@dca.nj.gov

We truly appreciate your support!!!!

Thank you,

Sue

DCA is holding a hearing today in Ocean County to discuss amendments to the Sandy recovery plan.  A 30-day period for public comment started on December 16th and will end on January 15th at 5pm.  Public hearings will be held in the central and northern New Jersey regions according to the following schedule:

• Tuesday, January 6, 2015 (4:00pm – 7:00pm) Ocean County College Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Performing Arts 1 College Drive, Building 12 Toms River, NJ 08753
• Wednesday, January 7, 2015 (4:00pm – 7:00pm) Bergen Community College, Moses Center, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652

It’s important for ANY Sandy impacted family or advocate to attend and comment about ANY of the issues being had with RREM or other state recovery programs.

More information on the public hearings and the proposed amendments can be found at renewjerseystronger.org.

The Toms River Elks is hosting a fundraiser event today, Thursday, December 18^th, for local non-profit organizations.  The “Festival of Trees” brings together local community organizations to decorate a tree to raise money for their non-profits.  Voting for the best tree is done by entering a cash donation of any amount into the box under the tree you want to vote for.  The Elks Lodge Members will donate cash prizes to the top three voted trees.

50/50 raffles to go towards the prize money for the best trees will also be sold, the winner of which has a chance to win up to $2500.  A small gift auction will also be held for $5 per chance.

The Toms River Elks Lodge is located at 600 Washington Street, Toms River.  Doors open at 4:00pm and the kitchen will be open from 4pm to 6pm to purchase food.  Voting for the trees and the silent auction will end at 7:30pm, and winners will be announced at 8:15pm.  

It is our hope that you will come out and vote on OCLTRG’s tree, view the other trees and enjoy the line-up of great holiday music and entertainment.  Friendly for all, make sure to bring your children and friends to enjoy this special event together.

Happy Holidays!

Come and celebrate the holidays this Wednesday December 17th with the People’s Pantry and the Ocean County Long-Term Recovery Group.  To acknowledge all the hard work that has already been done, and assist in the work that’s still to come, a toy drive will be held at Tiffany’s Toms River from 4-7 PM.  Bring a gift and stay for the fun, food and music.

Additional drop-off locations will be collecting toys during regular operating hours if you can’t make it to the party but still want to donate.  See the flyer below for details.

A free legal clinic for Sandy survivors going through a FEMA recoupment will be held this Saturday, December 13th, in Bayville.  Co-sponsors for the event include Congressman-elect Tom MacArthur, Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato, the Ocean County Long-Term Recovery Group and main presenters for the event, Legal Services of New Jersey.  For more information call 732-814-4522.

Diane Turton Realtors, in partnership with the Ocean County Long-Term Recovery Group and the Monmouth County Long-Term Recovery Group, is sponsoring a toy drive this holiday season.  Now through December 12th, new, unwrapped toys and gift cards can be donated at one of several locations throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties to be given to children impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

See below for details and drop-off locations.

Sandy Recovery Reporter Scott Gurian with WNYC and NJ Spotlight wrote an in-depth article on the intricacies of New Jersey’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy. Ocean County Long-Term Recovery Group’s Executive Director Sue Marticek commented on the role of the non-profit sector in the recovery process, as well as some of the post-storm hazards inherent in large-scale recovery.

An audio file of the report can be heard here.

To read the full article, visit WNYC or NJ Spotlight.