Disaster Help and Resources
November 4, 2011 by Blogfinger
State Sen. Jennifer Beck has put together this list of contact information for a variety of programs and services that people in Hurricane Sandy’s path may need for state and federal assistance.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost by I Want This” loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, for Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties.
– Senator Jennifer Beck
For urgent and immediate health and safety issues:
Call 911.
For non-immediate health matters or other assistance:
Call 211 or go online at
www.nj211.org for help with non-emergency issues, including basic human needs, support for seniors or persons with disabilities, children, or mental health issues.
To file a claim with FEMA:
Call 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362). Make sure you register with FEMA. A printable form is here:
To report a downed electrical line:
Contact Jersey Centra Power & Light at 800-662-3115. Be prepared to give the nearest cross street or the number of a nearby pole that has not been damaged and is away from any downed wires; the pole number can be found on the metal tag attached to the pole.
To report a gas leak:
Contact your local gas provider.
New Jersey Natural Gas: 800-427-5325
PSE&G: 800-436-7734
To file an insurance claim, if you can’t find the company or agent’s number:
Call the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance at 1-800-446-7467 or go to
www.dobi.nj.gov.To report complaints about insurance companies:
Call the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance at 1-800-446-7467 or go to
To report complaints about electric or gas utilities:
Call the NJ Board of Public Utilities: (800)624-0241 or (609)341-9188.
To report possible consumer fraud or price gouging by contractors or others:
State law makes excessive price increases illegal during a state of emergency, and for 30 days following the end of the emergency. Call the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 862-209-0130 or 973-220-3474.
To provide volunteer assistance in the cleanup and restoration effort:
Call 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397). Backup numbers: 609-775-5236 or
908-303-0471. Volunteers may also send an email to
rowena.madden@sos.state.nj.us. This service is managed by the NJ Business Action Center and the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism, both divisions within the NJ Department of State.
To request volunteer assistance:
Extension of motor vehicle document deadlines:
To ease the burden on customers who did not have a chance to visit a motor vehicle office in October, MVC Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez has issued Administrative Order 2012-03 authorizing a 30-day extension for all driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and vehicle inspection stickers that expired on October 31.