Sandy blew in and in a matter of hours destroyed and damaged many homes on our coast. Two major storms in as many years, yet people still look ahead. It is a testament to the strength our community shows in a time of crisis.
There are many avenues for storm victims to pursue. Here are a number of ways you and your family can receive help.
Insurance Claims
Since the storm had been officially downgraded prior to its destructive impact on Connecticut, insurers are not permitted to assess higher deductibles reserved for actual hurricanes.
The distinction is spelled out in Public Act 12-162. The intent of this new law is to protect consumers from more expensive hurricane deductibles if and when the damage their property sustained is caused by a storm that is no longer a hurricane. It is also important to note this new law applies to homeowners’, renters’, mobile home, and virtually all other property and casualty insurance policies.
Funding for Sandy-related Construction Costs
Did you lose a furnace, boiler, hot water heater or refrigerator during Hurricane Sandy?
The State of Connecticut is making available special incentives to help people facing energy-related reconstruction costs from storm Sandy.
An additional $3 million is available for residents and businesses replacing furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and refrigerators as a result of damage from Sandy.
These incentives will apply to the replacement of equipment with more energy efficient models between October 29th and December 31st. The deadline to apply for the incentives is December 31, 2012.
Low-cost financing is also available for residents who make energy efficiency upgrades in equipment or insulation and air sealing while renovating or rebuilding their home or business as a result of damage from Sandy.
Anyone seeking information on these incentives should call the Connecticut Energy Information Line at 1-877-947-3873.
The $3 million is being financed with energy efficiency funds made available through the Northeast Utilities/NStar agreement.
FEMA Offices
FEMA has agreed to open a Disaster Recovery Center in East Haven for three days, to meet and receive applications in person with residents concerning storm related FEMA and government assistance resulting from Sandy. The center will be at the town’s Beach House at Cosey Beach Avenue during the following dates and times:
Hours of Operation:
Friday November 23, 2012: Opening 12 noon – 8pm
Saturday November 24, 2012: 8am – 8pm
Monday November 26, 2012: 8am – 8pm
Small Businesses:
Small business owners are eligible for assistance under the Small Business Administration (SBA). If you own a small business, you can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), which are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations.
EIDLs can help you meet any financial obligations that cannot be met because of the storm. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website. Visit www.disasterloan.sba.gov
Consumer Protection
Connecticut’s price-gouging laws take effect once the governor has declared a state of emergency. The following restrictions apply:
- No one shall increase the price of any retail item in a location which is subject to a disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor. This section shall not prohibit the usual fluctuation in price that occurs during the normal course of business.
- If consumers believe a business is charging an unreasonable price, or has raised its price to take advantage of the emergency, they can contact the Department of Consumer Protection at 1-800-842-2649.
For more information on government assistance in the aftermath of Sandy please go to the Senate Republican website at http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/sandy/.
