Help for temporary housing, repair, replacement and other needs is available by registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by telephone and Internet.
U.S. Army National Guard members work to clear fallen tree debris Thursday in Harmony Township following Superstorm Sandy.
A similar offer of help has not been extended to Pennsylvania residents. Unlike Pennsylvania, New Jersey has received a federal disaster declaration for the storm.
New Jerseyans can apply for assistance, including for temporary housing, repair, replacement and other needs such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Small Business Administration disaster loans.
All 21 of the counties already have been approved by the federal government as eligible for Public Assistance, which is an additional form of federal disaster relief. Public Assistance Program funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Corbett on Thursday requested federal funding that would provide reimbursement to local, county and state agencies for costs associated with the preparation for and response to Hurricane Sandy.
A federal emergency declaration awarded last week for Pennsylvania provided only Direct Federal Assistance, which makes available federal assets such as generators, food, water and specialized response teams.
"At this time, Pennsylvania has not received a federal disaster declaration that would provide assistance to homeowners, renters and business owners," Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Ruth A. Miller said by email this afternoon. "We are still in the process of conducting damage assessments, which give us a clear picture of exactly what type of damage we sustained in Pennsylvania and whether or not we might qualify for a federal disaster declaration."
Christie's office encourages New Jersey residents affected by Sandy to begin the process of registering with FEMA for relief. Survivors of Sandy who suffered damage should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, even if they have insurance or are unsure if they are eligible, according to Christie's office.
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HOW TO REGISTERNew Jerseyans can register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for those with hearing or speech impairments, TTY 800-462-7585. Specialists are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice. Help in languages other than English is available. Residents can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov and following the link to "apply online for federal assistance."
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SHELTER STILL OPENWarren County announced today its shelter at Warren County Technical School on Route 57 in Franklin Township remains open. County officials ask anyone with unmet needs to contact his or her local emergency management officials. Anyone unable to reach local authorities can call county emergency management at 908-835-2050.
County emergency management officials expect 90 percent of customers who lost power due to Superstorm Sandy to see service restored by the end of the day today. The remaining areas of the county should be restored by Nov. 14, county officials said.
For a list of assistance available in Hunterdon County, visit tinyurl.com/bh273zj.