• Employment

• If you are unemployed due to your employer closing due to floods, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance. Visit the Unemployment Insurance website where you may be able to apply for benefits online.

• Job search assistance services are offered by New Jersey's One-Stop Career Center. For the location of the nearest One Stop Center, search online at the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.

• The NJ State Department of Labor has three call centers if you need to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits. There are three re-employment centers in:

• Hudson (northeast NJ): 201-601-4100
• Freehold (northewest NJ and central NJ): 732-761-2020
• Cumberland (southern NJ): 856-507-2340
  
  

  OR file online at the NJ State Department of Labor's website.

• Document Replacement

• NJ Drivers License or ID
  Flood victims who wish to obtain a New Jersey Drivers License or ID will be required to meet the New Jersey documentation requirements. Visit the State of New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission website to download forms for new registration or driver's license.

• Social Security Card
  Anyone receiving Social Security payments that have been interrupted can go to any Social Security office to get an emergency payment. For information about changing mailing addresses, obtaining a new card, direct deposit, or locating the nearest Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit Social Security Online.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
  Flood victims who already receive SSI and SSDI should contact the Social Security Administration directly at (800) 772-1213 to learn how checks may be reissued, cards replaced or to report a change in address.

• Pets – Once you and your pets return to your home, be careful about allowing your pets outdoors unattended and off-leash. The floods may have altered familiar scents and landmarks and your pet could easily get confused and become lost.

  In addition, sharp objects, downed electric lines, fallen trees and other debris or contaminated water could present real danger to your pet. Raccoons, skunks or other wild animals may have entered the area and could present danger to your pets.

  If any animals are lost during the disaster, contact veterinarians, humane societies, pet shelters, and other facilities that might house animals. Be prepared to identify and document ownership when claiming lost livestock. The United States Department of Agriculture Missing Pet Network website.

• Flood Water Clean-up – In an emergency call 911. If you, a family member or others are in immediate danger or your property is threatened by flood, fire or downed power lines call 911 immediately. For general information, contact NJ Office of Emergency Management or contact the Center for Disease Control.

  Inside the Home Clean-up

• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.
• Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).
• Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters.
• Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
• Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.
• After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and water. Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands).
• Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use (solution of ? teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of ¼ teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
• Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
• Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent. It is recommended that a Laundromat be used for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your onsite waste-water system has been professionally inspected and serviced.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.

• Utilities – To report problems with utilities or when utilities need to be shut off during reconstruction, please refer to the following numbers:

• Help with Electrical Service

  Sussex, Passaic, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon Counties:
  First Energy (JCP&L)
  1-888-478-2300
  1-800-662-3115 (general info)
  TTY 1-800-221-0479

  Parts of Passaic and Bergen Counties:
  Orange and Rockland
  1-877-434-4100

  Mercer, Essex and Bergen Counties:
  Public Service Electric & Gas
  1-800-436-7734 (general information)
  1-800-357-2262 (payment assistance)

  Gloucester County:
  Atlantic City Electric
  1-800-833-7476
  TTY 1-800-822-1200

• Natural Gas

  Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon Counties:
  NUI/Elizabethtown Gas
  1-800-242-5830

  Mercer, Essex and Bergen Counties:
  Public Service Electric & Gas
  1-800-436-7734 (general information)
  1-800-357-2262 (payment assistance)

  Morris County:
  NJ Natural Gas Company
  1-800-221-0051
  TTY 1-800-223-0024

• Phone Issues

  AT&T
  1-800-288-2747  

  Verizon
  1-800-427-9977
  TTY 1-800-974-6006

  Sprint
  1-800-788-3600

• Water Supply Problems
  
  Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Sussex Counties:
  Water North
  1-973-656-4099
  
  Mercer County:
  Water Central
  1-609-584-4200
  
  Gloucester County:
  Water South
  1-856-614-3655
  
  Warren County:
  Aqua NJ Water Company
  1-908-859-4800

• County Flood Resources Contact Information 

For a complete listing of all the available disaster assistance programs, see FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center Locator.

FEMA Frequently Asked Questions on Citizenship/Immigration

What are FEMA's citizenship/immigration requirements?

• You must be a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or a Qualified Alien in order to be eligible for FEMA cash assistance programs: Individuals and Households Program Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
• A Qualified Alien includes anyone with legal permanent residence (?green card?).
• You will be asked to sign a Declaration and Release (FEMA Form 90-69 B) that you are a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or a Qualified Alien.
• If you cannot sign the Declaration and Release, another adult household member who is eligible can sign it and no information regarding your status will be gathered.
• If you cannot sign the Declaration and Release but you have a minor child who is a U.S. Citizen or a Qualified Alien residing with you, you can apply for assistance on your child's behalf and no information regarding your status will be gathered. You will be asked to sign a declaration that your child is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or a Qualified Alien.
• You do not have to be a U.S. Citizen or a Qualified Alien for Crisis Counseling or Disaster Legal Services or for other short-term, non-cash emergency assistance.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, am I eligible for assistance for disaster-related needs?

• Yes, you may be eligible under many different programs run by state and local agencies and voluntary agencies for various types of cash assistance.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, am I eligible for any assistance from FEMA?

• You may be eligible for short-term, non-cash, emergency aid provided by FEMA.
• You will not be personally eligible for FEMA cash assistance programs (Individuals and Households Program Assistance); however, you may apply on behalf of your U.S. citizen child, or another adult household member may qualify the household for assistance.
• Even if you or your family does not qualify for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance), please call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY for hearing/speech-impaired) for information and to be referred to other programs that can assist you regardless of your immigration status.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, can I apply on behalf of my child who was born in the United States?

• You can apply on behalf of your minor child (under 18 years of age) for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance) if you live together.
• You will not have to provide any information on your immigration status or sign any documents regarding your status.

Do I need a Social Security Number to register for FEMA cash assistance (Individual and Households Program Assistance)?

• If you are applying on your minor child's behalf, you should provide his/her Social Security Number.

If I have a Social Security Number, am I eligible for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance) as a "Qualified Alien"?

• Not necessarily, because having a Social Security Number does not automatically mean that you are a Qualified Alien. You may be legally present in the U.S. and have a Social Security Number, but not be a Qualified Alien.

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This information last reviewed: Apr 26, 2012