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Brian Lehrer: Brian Lehrer on WNYC. This week marks a month since what they call remnants, oh, I thought that was a terrible word for a huge storm that destroyed so many people's lives and killed people. They call it the remnants of hurricane Ida rip through our listening area, flooding and destroying homes, washing away cars and killing over 40 people.

On September 2nd, the Biden administration declared a state of emergency in New York and New Jersey granting federal aid dollars to people who face severe damage from the storm. Since then, a combination of more than $150 million have been paid out in both states. That includes FEMA grants, low-interest small business loans, and flood insurance claims. If you haven't applied, there's still time.

The deadline, and listen up if you have Ida damage, the deadline to apply for FEMA aid is November 5th. Here to talk to us about how to do that here in New York, what the money can be used for, and how to avoid scams, and the scams are out there for sure, this is one of the most interesting parts of this story, unfortunately, is media relation specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Association or FEMA, Eric Adams. No, not that Eric Adams. He's not moonlighting at this while he runs for mayor. You can vote for or against that Eric Adams on November 2nd, three days before the FEMA aid application deadline. This Eric Adams, welcome to WNYC.

Eric Adams: Good morning Mr. Lehrer. It's great to be on your show today. This is Eric Stevenson Adams, a media relations specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA. We will continue to partner with our New York State to equally support survivors from the remnants of Hurricane Ida for recovery systems in all designated counties. I just want to mention, you mentioned the registration to apply for individual assistance was through November 5th. That, actually, has been extended through December 5th, Mr. Lehrer.

Brian Lehrer: Oh, that's great. Please call me Brian, and I'm glad we've cleared up your name. Let me open up the phones right away for our listeners on this. If you suffered damage in the storm a month ago, this week, what property damage did you incur, and did you apply, or receive any money from the city, state or federal government? 646-435-7280. Did you receive those funds, and how far did that money take you in terms of making you whole again?

I know that's an issue too. We've had callers already who are frustrated by the amount of coverage that they get. 646-435-7280, as we are not forgetting Hurricane Ida just because it's receding in time because it still affects so many people. Have you come across any scams, listeners, or did a fake inspector come to your house looking to scam you? If so, what happened?

We're taking, of course, one month after remnants of hurricane Ida tore up many homes and claimed many lives. How are you recovering or what questions do you have from Eric Stevenson Adams from FEMA? 646-435-7280, 646-435-7280. Eric, let me ask you about the fullness of the repayments.

Our local news website, Gothamist, reported a story last month about how some residents were dismayed to find the FEMA grants are not intended to replace all ruined items or buy a new home if the whole home was destroyed. Instead, people who need more money are being directed to apply for low-interest loans. Can you talk about when people qualify for a grant, and when people have to apply for a loan?

Eric Adams: Yes, Brian. When you apply for assistance with FEMA, that is individual assistance. First, you register with FEMA, and then the survivors may be sent to the small business administration, definitely survivors to fill out those applications with SBA to see if they would be eligible to qualify for a loan, but survivors, they are not obligated to accept that loan.

Then if survivors whether they will qualify for a small business administration loan or not, they will be referred back to FEMA to see what other disaster recovery resources could be available to them from FEMA to our individuals and households program. That could be housing assistance and/or other needs assistance. As you mentioned before, FEMA's individuals and households program is designed to supplement survivors' recoveries, get them back on their feet, provide them housing assistance if they qualify to make their home sanitary, and make some emergency repairs to their homes until they could further along make more permanent repairs to their homes.

FEMA as well works with community partners, voluntary agencies as well. Also, we're working with the state, our community partners, and the city, and the counties to provide more resources for more loan to repairs to homeowners, Brian.

Brian Lehrer: We have a question from a listener. Ruth in Queens, you're on WNYC with Eric Stevenson Adams from FEMA. Hi Ruth.

Ruth: Hi. Thank you for taking our question. I'm calling on behalf of the residents of East Elmhurst that were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Over a three-block period, every single home took an almost seven feet of storm surge and sewer backup. We've had FEMA in. We have to give a shout out to State Senator Jessica Ramos because she has been on the ground with us from day one.

We had many elected officials come with President Biden that promised us assistance. Now as we're applying for FEMA grants, many of us, and there's about a hundred homeowners, are being denied any form of assistance. What we'd like to know is how is it determined that, for instance, if you have 3 houses together, one house on the left gets 5,000. The house in the middle gets nothing, and the other house gets 13,000. These are just figures I'm throwing out off of the top of my head. How is it determined that not all homeowners are affected when we were all affected in the same way?

Brian Lehrer: Eric, can you help Ruth in Queens.

Eric Adams: Yes. Each survivor, each household that applies for FEMA assistance, the eligible disaster survivor assistance that you could receive, each case is unique. Each homeowner, property owner, they could be eligible for different forms of assistance dependent on their needs. Everyone has a right to appeal with FEMA if you disagree with the decision as well, ma'am. Survivors have 60 days from the date of the newsletter to submit your appeal.

Brian Lehrer: Ruth, I hope that's somewhat helpful. I have a feeling you're still frustrated by that, but take us deeper into this, about how the amount of money someone receives is determined. Gothamist also had a story about someone whose contractor estimated that they had $20,000 worth of damage, but only received about $8,000. The FEMA inspector said they themselves, couldn't even go in the basement to assess the damage because of COVID restrictions. How's the money actually determined?

Eric Adams: Yes, Brian, like I said, each survivors, what they're eligible for, each household, it's unique, dependent on their needs. I can't speak particularly to each survivor's application on what they may be eligible or not be eligible for, but as well, FEMA works with community partners, voluntary ECCs as well, to see if further resources could be available to homeowners.

Brian Lehrer: DeMars Dennis in Queens, you're on WNYC. Hello, DeMars Dennis.

DeMars Dennis: Hi. Yes. Thanks for taking my call. I'm actually helping out my brother Nicholas. He has a three-family house in Elmhurst Queens. He applied to the FEMA, the inspector only came down after a month of the application being in. The inspector would not enter the building because she was afraid of COVID.

My brother said, "Well, how are you going to inspect the damage which it completely decimated the first floor of the building, if you don't inspect?" He gave her pictures, but she wouldn't enter the building. I don't understand how she can make a judgment about what was destroyed.

Brian Lehrer: Eric.

Eric Adams: Yes sir. I would definitely recommend getting in contact with FEMA, sir. You could reach FEMA's helpline at 800-621-3362. Once again, that is 800-621-3362 to get further details about your case. You can mention that the inspectors were unable to enter the home or could not enter the home as well. Sir, where did you say you were calling from?

DeMars Dennis: It's on [unintelligible 00:10:11] Street in Elmhurst, New York. There was over three feet of water at the first floor. The entire floor had to be removed, the water heating system had to be removed, the kitchens, and the bathrooms. There was sewage everywhere, it was unlivable. My brother has been working day and night to get it back up to the code and make sure everything is okay. The woman came and didn't want to go in. [chuckles] It was mind-boggling.

Adams: I also wanted to mention, sir, you can also visit our Disaster Recovery Center and FEMA's specialist there can discuss more details about your case. You can mention what you just mentioned about the inspectors in our Disaster Recovery Center in Queens. It's at Queens College on [unintelligible 00:11:01] sir. It is open. Currently, that Disaster Recovery Center is open 8:00AM to 7:00 PM, but starting October 9th, which is this Saturday, that Disaster Recovery Center will be open from 10:00AM to 6:00PM, Monday through Saturday sir.

Brian Lehrer: DeMars Dennis, I hope that helps your brother with his case, I hope so. Thank you for your call. That house that they're talking about included a lot of flooding in Elmhurst on the first floor. It reminds me that a lot of the flooding was in, technically, illegal basement apartments inside homes. Does it matter the legal status of the dwelling in order to get relief from FEMA?

Adams: No, Brian. FEMA, our focus is to make sure the residents where the survivor live, that was their primary residence. We work with survivors and estate and our community partners to provide the disaster assistance that they're eligible for. As far as FEMA goes, we don't focus on whether, like you said, a dwelling and/or basement is "legal or illegal."

Brian Lehrer: We mentioned at the beginning of the segment, that one of the things to watch out for, post-Ida, is scams, where people are trying to steal your money, posing as someone from the government or someone from a utility who's going to help you. I think Ari in Passaic has a scam story. Ari, you're on WNYC, thank you for calling in.

Ari: Thank you very much, Brian, and thank you Mr. Adams. Interesting scam story that happened recently. My wife and I live in Passaic. A few days after the remnants of Hurricane Ida, two men were coming around our block claiming to be from a small startup electric company. They were coming to people's doors and saying like, "Now is the time, PSE&G, they're not doing anything for you. They're too expensive and unreliable. Now's the time to switch. Take a look at all our brochures and [unintelligible 00:13:10] materials."

It all looked really fake. One of the guys was a little odd-looking, the other was talking very smooth, like a used-car salesman, smooth, the whole thing. They were very pushy and very strange. Then when one of my neighbors said that he had just taken a picture of their license plate, they turned white, ran back into their van with a quick goodbye, and never heard from them again. They were saying they're with some [unintelligible 00:13:38] Energy, Neo Energy, something like that. I don't even remember. Clearly a scam. That was really interesting. Just saw it firsthand.

Brian Lehrer: That's really great that you called up with the heads up. Does that sound like one you know or the type of thing you know, Eric.

Adams: Yes, I have definitely heard similar stories, Brian. I think it is extremely important that survivors or the remnants of Ida realize that anyone associated with FEMA, any FEMA personnel, and our contractors supporting the recovery efforts, always make sure you look for their laminated photo identification. If they're not showing that laminated photo identification, please ask to see their ID badge or identification badge. As well, any inspector that reaches out to survivors or shows up to the home, they also should have the applicant's nine-digit FEMA registration number.

As well, FEMA personnel and/or contractors, they will never promise disaster grants to survivors. They also will not solicit any money or accept money or ask for money from survivors. Then as well, if survivors are receiving a request for any documentation, personal information, please make sure they actually are FEMA employee or a contractor associated with FEMA, and they have, once again, a nine-digit identification FEMA registration number, and they could show their ID before you release any of your personal identifiable information.

Brian Lehrer: Is there any other particular common scam that you would tell a story of related to Ida?

Adams: Me, personally?

Brian Lehrer: Yes. I don't mean that somebody tried to get you on, but that was a good example from the caller in Passaic. I'm just curious if besides that category of thing, if there's any other that you're aware of off the top of your head?

Adams: I would think another key thing is, if anyone is going to ask you for money before they do any repairs to your home, if it's large amounts of money, make sure they are a legitimate contractor. Also, if anyone identifies as a contractor, make sure they're licensed to be a contractor as well. You want to make sure of that. I also want to mention, Brian, our FEMA's disaster flood hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Listeners, if you see any perhaps examples of fraud or potential, for cases, you could call 866-720-5721. Once again, the FEMA disaster flood hotline, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, can be reached at 866-720-5721, Brian.

Brian Lehrer: The disaster flood hotline also takes scam reports. My Twitter is lighting up with people who want to follow up on the several stories that we heard from callers about FEMA inspectors who couldn't or wouldn't enter their homes for a full look at the damage. One listener writes-- Basically, they're asking you to say flat out if they won't go in because of COVID. Another one is writing my inspector set up a Zoom session on our phones and I gave him a tour. Can people give a FEMA inspector, a tour via Zoom? Is this happening, where FEMA inspectors are not getting a direct look at the damage to assess it because of COVID regulations?

Adams: I have not heard examples of that, or no one has told me that directly, but I would like to emphasize that you mentioned that people were identifying as FEMA inspectors and trying to set up Zoom calls or other types of phone calls, definitely, yes, I want to re-emphasize to make sure they are legitimate FEMA inspectors and our contractors.

Brian Lehrer: Jim in Woodhaven. You're on WNYC. Hi, Jim?

Jim: Hi, how are you?

Brian Lehrer: Good [unintelligible 00:18:11]

Jim: We had over $25,000 worth of damage in our basement. We filed immediately, as soon as it opened up, the FEMA claim. We were awarded about $1,800 and that didn't even cover the cost to get the carpeting, the drywall out. I immediately filed an appeal the next day. This is over a month ago, I have not heard back. I have contractor bills piling up, and I don't understand the appeal process because we have not heard a [unintelligible 00:18:44] This is over four weeks ago.

Brian Lehrer: Can you help him?

Adams: Yes. Jim, where are you calling from, again, sir?

Jim: Woodhaven, Queens.

Adams: Have you visited our Disaster Recovery Center in Queens at Queens College?

Jim: No, but we check the status every day online. I've called up, I've spoken to people. They just say, "Keep checking the status." How does the appeal process work? Will somebody get back in touch with me eventually?

Adams: Just like I said, you had 60 days to appeal, and obviously you [unintelligible 00:19:26] yet, already. I would definitely try to visit a Disaster Recovery Center in Queens where you can meet FEMA personnel in person, and perhaps there you can discuss your case and further details.

Brian Lehrer: Jim, I hope that helps. Here's another caller with a basement home question. Jude in Brooklyn, you're on WNYC. Hi, Jude?

Jude: Good morning, Brian? Thanks for taking my call. Can you hear me very well?

Brian Lehrer: Jude, turn your radio off because in the background we're hearing it on the delay. That'll help everybody be able to hear you clearly with our guest Eric S. Adams from FEMA who's answering Hurricane Ida damage questions. Hi, Jude.

Jude: Thank you very much. My house too was damaged during the Hurricane Ida, so the FEMA inspector came and checked it out and he attested to the fact that I have more than six inches of flood all over the house. Now, FEMA said they're not going to offer me anything. It's very sad because I even sent them evidence of hotel accommodation and Airbnb I [unintelligible 00:20:44] during that time because I was out of my house for about one month so that it could be repaired.

The landlord paid for the repair, but nobody seems to want to pay me for my lost items, my personal purposes, and then my the hotel accommodation and all that. All these, FEMA rejected my application and [unintelligible 00:21:05] that my landlord was also telling me that she's not supposed to be responsible. If FEMA doesn't give me money, and I appeal and I don't get money, who should I hold responsible?

Brian Lehrer: I'm glad you asked this question because it's a category that we haven't addressed yet in the segment. Eric, it sounds like the landlord is responsible for the physical space, the home itself and is getting that repaired and the landlord is dealing with that, however, the landlord is dealing with that, but the caller lost use of the residence for a time so had to stay hotels and Airbnbs and also his possessions were destroyed. Does FEMA cover that even if he's not responsible for the damage to the structure itself?

Eric Adams: The gentleman he could be eligible for other needs assistance which could be like he mentioned, his personal property and such. I believe he said he had registered with FEMA, Brian. I didn't get everything actually he had said.

Brian Lehrer: About the possessions and about the housing, to replace the temporary housing.

Eric Adams: Yes, like I say, he could be eligible for other needs assistance, he also could be eligible for housing assistance. I would suggest, regarding this case, he definitely could visit one of our disaster recovery centers here in this state. Like I say nine are open. I don't recall where he said he had lived. Also, definitely, he should follow up on his case, if he goes to Disaster Recovery Center, bring all the documentation he had, all the receipts he had or any pictures or documentations of the losses he had as well when he goes to visit any of FEMA specialists at Disaster Recovery Center, sir.

Brian Lehrer: Jude I hope that's helpful. Good luck. I noticed by the way that, tell me if I've got this right or wrong, the counties declared federal disaster areas in New York are all the boroughs of this city except Manhattan plus Westchester and Rockland just north of the city, Nassau and Suffolk just east of the city. The whole New York immediate metropolitan area within New York State, and New Jersey is from a separate branch of FEMA, so I'm not including the New Jersey counties in this question, but in New York, it's really everything around Manhattan, but not Manhattan. I happen to live in Manhattan and there was a big retaining wall collapse from the storm right near where I live. Governor Hochul even visited the site as an example of damage from Hurricane Ida. Do I have this right, Manhattan's not included?

Eric Adams: Manhattan, Brian is included for public assistance, but it is not included for individual assistance. Not included with our individuals and households program. The counties that are eligible are the counties we have been discussing, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Kings, Queens, Richmond County sir, and the Bronx as well. As you mentioned, is public assistance.

Brian Lehrer: What does that mean, public assistance as opposed to personal assistance?

Eric Adams: Like I said, individual assistance can provide grants to homeowners, survivors. Public assistance, though it is confusing like you mentioned, public assistance. Public assistance is where the states can apply for assistance to prioritize public assistance projects like you said, examples of things such as road repairs. You mentioned a retaining wall in the public, repairs such as like that.

Public assistance can provide funding for repairs to public buildings. I'll give you some examples, whether that's a police station, a fire station, a courthouse. An applicant for public assistance would be the state. Then you have your sub-applicants under that which could be agencies within the state, so actually wouldn't be individual survivors such as homeowners and all renters.

Brian Lehrer: I see. I realize you don't make the rules, but why would a police station in Manhattan qualify for assistance from Ida damage, but not a private home?

Eric Adams: Like I say it's two different programs. Private homes, if it's a primary residence that falls under individual assistance under our individuals and households program whereas a fast responder structure such as like I say just to provide an example of a police station or a fire station, that would fall under public assistance, sir.

Brian Lehrer: All right. Final question, you established that even illegal basement apartments qualify the people who would've lived there, qualify despite the status of the apartment. What about the status of the individual, particularly undocumented New Yorkers, do they qualify for FEMA assistance if they otherwise qualify?

Eric Adams: FEMA wants to support all those affected by disaster, and if a person, a survivor is undocumented, there could be assistance available to that person. A parent or a guardian who may not be eligible can apply for individual assistance, [unintelligible 00:27:00] help on behalf of a child who is a citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. The child must be under age 18 as of the first day of the incident period, or the disaster declaration dates.

Brian Lehrer: You're saying undocumented immigration status disqualifies you unless you have a legal resident in your family like a child born here also living with you, am I getting that right?

Eric Adams: Yes, sir. As long as that child is a citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified alien, and I mentioned before, the child must be under age 18 and no information will be gathered by FEMA on the adult's immigration status.

Brian Lehrer: There we leave it with FEMA media specialist Eric Adams, not that Eric Adams. Your questions about FEMA assistance following Hurricane Ida, I hope this has been useful folks. Give that one phone number one more time where people can call to follow up as well as going to the in-person FEMA assistance centers like at Queens college.

Eric Adams: Yes, Brian. I'll mention the phone number. It is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, seven days a week. That phone number is 800-621-3362. Once again, our phone number is 800-621-3362. Our Disaster Recovery Centers starting Saturday, October 9th will be open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday except the one in Orangeburg which is Rockland County.

Until further notice, the Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland County in Orangeburg will be open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, seven days a week, Brian. Our Disaster Recovery Centers will be open on Monday even though it's a federal holiday which is Columbus day, this upcoming Monday.

Brian Lehrer: And Indigenous Peoples' Day. Boy, there's a lot of frustrated people on our phones and on Twitter. I hope some of this information helps. Thank you very much for joining us.

Eric Adams: Thank you, Brian, for having us today. Have a great day.

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