Rep. Rose Urged FEMA to Approve All NYS Aid Requests Including Individual Assistance to Help Those Impacted by COVID-19 Be Made Whole

WASHINGTON, April 3 -- Rep. Max Rose, D-New York, issued the following news release:

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- Individual Assistance programs could provide housing, childcare, unemployment and food benefits for those impacted by coronavirus

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On Tuesday, prior to being activated for deployment to the National Guard, Congressman Max Rose sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging it to approve outstanding requests by New York State for badly needed aid, including Individual Assistance which would help with unemployment, shelter, and food assistance.

"I am writing to strongly urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve all of New York State's outstanding requests for desperately needed aid including Individual Assistance (IA) so we can move closer towards my goal of making my constituents whole following this COVID-19 pandemic," wrote Rose in a letter earlier this week to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor. "I hope you agree and share this goal in our time of crisis, with New York having over half of the nation's coronavirus patients."

New York State has requested reimbursement from FEMA for Individual Assistance aid which includes Temporary Shelter Assistance, Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance, which provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster who also are not eligible for regular State unemployment insurance.

Through Temporary Shelter Assistance program, individuals who are required to self-quarantine but are unable to do so because of the presence of a high-risk-of-infection individual in their household could receive benefits to cover hotel or rental expenses. Additionally, those on the frontlines such as medical professionals or first responders would be eligible to be reimbursed for childcare under Individual Assistance programs. Finally, Rose's letter highlights how those who have imposed disaster-related expenses or loss of income to be eligible for expanded benefits for food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Rose's letter concluded, "New York has become the American epicenter of COVID-19, and the rest of the country is watching our joint response to the pandemic. New York's partnership with federal agencies will set the tone for all other states moving forward. In order to overcome this immense challenge, New York must have the full force of the federal government behind its efforts. New York thanks FEMA for the work you have done thus far, but there is much more to do. So many lives are on the line, and we hope we can count on you."

While Rose is deployed with the National Guard to help with Staten Island's coronavirus response, his office is continuing to serve and fight for the people of New York's 11th Congressional District. This week, Rose's office published a new "Community Resource Guide" to assist constituents, businesses, and organizations navigate all the various federal, state, and local resources and information surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The guide will continually be updated as new information becomes available.

Disclaimer: This message was sent out by Rep. Max Rose's congressional staff. The Congressman is currently away from the office while serving on active duty order with the New York Army National Guard. The use of Rose's military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the New York Army National Guard or the Department of Defense.

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March 31, 2020

The Honorable Peter T. Gaynor, Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

500 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20472

Dear Administrator Gaynor,

I am writing to strongly urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve all of New York State's outstanding requests for desperately needed aid including Individual Assistance (IA) so we can move closer towards my goal of making my constituents whole following this COVID-19 pandemic. I hope you agree and share this goal in our time of crisis, with New York having over half of the nation's coronavirus patients.

New York State has requested reimbursement for Individual Assistance aid including Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Temporary Shelter Assistance, and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As you know, Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster who also are not eligible for regular State unemployment insurance. Temporary Shelter Assistance is needed now to cover hotel/rental expenses to support individuals who are required to self-quarantine but are unable to do so because of the presence of a high-risk-of-infection individual in their household. Additionally, childcare assistance for those on the frontlines could be provided under this IA request to ensure the continuity of the healthcare, law enforcement and other essential services. Finally, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would open the door to expanded benefits for food for individuals significantly impacted by the outbreak. Eligibility for this food aid requires having one disaster-related expense like temporary shelter expense, relocation expenses, personal injury or funeral expenses, or loss of income for a large part of the benefit period. With the health and employment challenges currently facing New York, many of my constituents need this help.

Just as IA is of the utmost importance, so is the FEMA aid to New York State. I urge you to expedite the funding to our great state under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which was requested because the state anticipates the current COVID-19 situation will reveal risk mitigation opportunities for future pandemics or other medical emergencies. This federal grant funding could help reduce the risks and impacts of similar public health crises in the future. New York State also needs FEMA to waive the 25% state share for programs authorized under the Major Disaster Declaration issued on March 20th as the state simply cannot afford this level of cost- sharing. Finally, New York State requested FEMA Debris Removal services. Although debris removal may seem like an unnecessary request during a pandemic, certain activities such as increased sanitation services and disposal of large amounts of medical waste may be necessary as this situation continues to evolve.

New York has become the American epicenter of COVID-19, and the rest of the country is watching our joint response to the pandemic. New York's partnership with federal agencies will set the tone for all other states moving forward. In order to overcome this immense challenge, New York must have the full force of the federal government behind its efforts. New York thanks FEMA for the work you have done thus far, but there is much more to do. So many lives are on the line, and we hope we can count on you.

Sincerely,

Max Rose, Member of Congress