1. A Guide to
Hurricane Sandy Assistance
Offered by Patrick Parker Realty
www.patrickparkerrealty.com

2. A Guide to Hurricane Sandy Assistance
A Special Message from Patrick Parker
Far too many New Jersey residents experienced the Table of Contents
destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath.
This Guide, prepared by Patrick Parker Realty, is intended
FEMA Extends Deadlines . . . 3
as a reference to those affected by the Superstorm. The Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
victims of Sandy face a wide variety of financial, housing About SBA Loans
and legal issues, and here we attempt to survey those Appealing a FEMA Ineligibility Letter . 4
issues that arise most often. Although this Guide cannot
explore all issues completely or touch on every point that How to Apply for an SBA Loan . . 5
may arise, we have made considerable efforts to How to Appeal an SBA Loan Denial
determine what issues are most relevant to the victims
of the Hurricane and its aftermath. Please note that this Requesting a Tax Assessment Reduction . 6
information is current as of January 1, 2013 but by the
time you read this material, the federal, state and county Find Housing . . . . .. . 7
governments may have adopted additional measures to Register for Automatic Rental Property Alerts
assist victims of Sandy.
“Individual & Households” Grants . . . 8
We realize this Guide cannot answer all of the questions
you undoubtedly have in the wake of the Superstorm.
Tax Deductions for Victims . . . . 9
Rather, it is intended to identify the issues that many Tax Reprieve for Victims . . . . 10
victims will need to consider, and to point you in the
right direction. You may need to contact federal, state, Regarding Rentals . . . . . . 11
city or county officials, local aid organizations, or even Register for Automatic Rental Property Alerts
seek legal representation in order to obtain more specific
information about your individual concerns. Additional Resources . . . . . 12

3. FEMA Extends Deadlines
It’s Not Too Late to Apply for Assistance What is an SBA Loan?
Those who suffered losses due to Hurricane Sandy in The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now
New Jersey now have until January 30, 2013 to register offering disaster recovery loans to business owners,
for disaster assistance through FEMA. home owners and renters who suffered losses due to
Hurricane Sandy. The deadline to apply is January 30.
People with storm losses in all counties can register
online at www.disasterassistance.gov via smartphone or SBA loans help businesses, homeowners and renters
tablet at m.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362. recover by offering a low-interest loan alternative, an
opportunity to businesses to recoup losses as a result of
At the request of the state of New Jersey, FEMA power outages and other loss of capital opportunities
extended the registration deadline beyond the original regardless of whether the business suffered property
60-day window due to the magnitude of the Hurricane damage, and finally, homeowners and renters can apply
Sandy disaster. for loans to repair or replace personal property.
Interest rates for SBA loans range from 4.0% to 6.0%,
depending on the availability of non-SBA credit. Interest
APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE rates for home recovery loans range from 1.688% to
3.375%, depending on the availability of non-SBA credit.
Each SBA loan program has its own eligibility criteria and
Tips
application process. However, as you prepare to submit
Before You Apply
your paperwork, you will need to gather and prepare
After You Apply
similar documentation. Learn more here.
Rumor Control
Replace Vital Documents For information about the disaster loan process email
USPS Change of Address Online disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 800-659-2955.

4. Appealing a FEMA Ineligibility Letter
Turning That “No” Into a “Yes”
If you have received notice from FEMA that you are Applicants may appeal the decision if they find
ineligible for disaster assistance following Hurricane circumstances have changed from the time they
Sandy you may be able to use additional documentation registered. They may have discovered additional damage
to turn that “no” into a “yes.” to their property, or that they need housing help after
all. Renters may find upon returning that their residences
“Every applicant has the right to appeal a decision,” said are unlivable.
Federal Coordinating Officer Gregory W. Eaton. “In fact,
applicants can appeal any FEMA decision. When you do FEMA understands that circumstances after a disaster
so, you are asking us to review your case again, and we can be fluid and changeable, you have the chance to
will gladly do that.” report those changes — changes that could make the
difference in becoming eligible for disaster assistance.
Applicants who received a letter stating they are
“ineligible” should read that document carefully. It will Effective appeal letters should follow these procedures:
list some reasons the aid was denied and provide In the first paragraph, list the applicant’s full legal name
instructions on filing an appeal. used on the aid application, along with Social Security
number and the FEMA case number. Include a personal
Some common reasons an applicant may be determined phone number as well as a back-up phone number
ineligible include: where the applicant also can be reached, in addition to a
correct mailing address.
• Insufficient storm-related damage.
• Adequate insurance coverage. Write an explanation of events that provides evidence to
• Additional personal or insurance information needed support the appeal. Summarize changes in circumstances
to complete the assistance evaluation process. or needs, additional damages to property discovered
• Confusion about Social Security numbers, addresses after the registration was filed or higher-than-planned
or phone numbers. costs for repairs, for example.
Include photocopies of receipts for materials and labor as
well as up to three written bids for repair work if those
costs exceed the award amount. Submitting repair
estimates, receipts, statements or invoices helps
applicants lodge effective appeals.
Also keep in mind:
The appeal letter must be submitted within 60 days of
the date on the denial letter — by mail, or by fax at 1-
800-827-8112, or in person at a state/federal Disaster
Recovery Center. Keep a copy of the appeal letter and
supporting documentation for your records.
Information on how and where to file an appeal is
included with denial letters and in the “Help After a
Disaster” booklet that is included with registration
packets.
Disaster Recover Centers
One of the best sources of help with an appeal is your
local Disaster Recover Center. A Disaster Recovery
Center is a readily accessible facility or mobile office
where applicants may go for information about FEMA or
other disaster assistance programs, or for questions
related to your case.
Search for a Disaster Recovery Center

5. How to Apply for an SBA Loan
First Step: Register with FEMA How to appeal an SBA Loan denial?
First, register with FEMA to obtain a FEMA Registration Though criteria for SBA loans are less stringent that bank
Number by calling 1-800-621-3362. loans, denials may still be based on problems with credit
history, or an inability to repay.
Call the SBA Customer Service Center to obtain a loan
application: 1-800-659-2955; You can also email the SBA You have the right to appeal an unfavorable decision.
at disastercustimerservice@sba.gov. Appeals go to the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA).
Visit http://www.sba.gov/oha for more information.
You can apply online or in person at any FEMA Disaster
Recovery Center and receive personal, one-on-one help 1. File your appeal, which is called a “request for
from an SBA representative. To find a location, please reconsideration” by email, fax, mail, or delivery.
contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659- 2. Appeals must be submitted within six months.
2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. If filing by email, send the appeal to ohafilings@sba.gov.
You will need the following information when you apply: Send any communication as an attached document. Note
that some filings emailed to OHA have not been
1. Contact information successfully transmitted due to the size or content of the
2. Identity information (social security numbers / email. The sender is responsible for ensuring
3. FEMA registration number) transmission. Call 202-401-8200 to confirm receipt.
4. Deed or lease information, if available
5. Insurance information, if applicable: name, address, If filing by fax, OHA’s fax number is (202) 205-7059.
and policy number If filing by mail or delivery, send or drop off appeal to:
6. Financial information (income, creditors’ names,
payments, balances) Docketing Clerk, Office of Hearings and Appeals
Small Business Administration
For more information, visit www.sba.gov/content/fact- 409 Third Street SW, 8th Floor
sheet-homeowners-andrenters Washington DC 20416.

6. Requesting a Tax Assessment Reduction
Are You Eligible for a Tax Reassessment?
Taxes are based on the market value of your property, or First, you need to find out the name of your local tax
some percentage of the value, less any state deductions adjustor. A simple Google Search of the term ‘Tax
or exemptions; the remaining amount is then multiplied Assessor Town Name’ should yield great results. This
by the local millage rate. A millage rate of 7.5, for should also help you find where to address your letter,
example, means you pay $7.50 for every $1,000 of which is generally to your Township.
taxable value; if you had $100,000 in taxable value after
all adjustments were made, you’d pay an annual $750 Second, compose a letter requesting a reassessment due
tax. to natural disaster citing New Jersey Statute that allows
for these kinds of contingencies. View a sample template
Since storm damage to a home can significantly drive you can use to write to your Tax Assessor.
down its value, not just due to the damage to that home,
but also as a result of damage to approximate derelict
properties and the community at large. For example, if a VIEW A SAMPLE REASSESSMENT LETTER
storm wrecks the roof of a neighboring home, another
home in the community could have its value negatively
impacted. Or if you have invested in a second home in For Your Reference
one of the popular summer rental areas on the shore as Matthew S. Clark, CTA
a means of income or plans for future retirement, the Monmouth County Tax Administrator
demand for your area has plummeted. Phone: (732) 431-7404 | Fax: (732) 409-4890
mclark@co.monmouth.nj.us
So what do you do?
It is worth submitting a letter to your local tax adjustor Monmouth County Board of Taxation
requesting a property tax adjustment as a result of major 1 East Main Street
depreciation to the value of your property. Freehold, NJ 07728

7. The New Housing Shortage
Need Housing?
Residents displaced by Hurricane Sandy are having a hard
time finding a temporary place to live. Thousands of
people are calling real estate offices, looking to rent
apartments or homes.
Real estate agents say there are more people looking for
rentals than units available. Agents are asking sellers to
let displaced people live in their vacant homes.
About 960 rentals are on the market in Monmouth and
Ocean County, according to the Monmouth County
Association of Realtors, but the number is fluid and
probably lower.
Patrick Parker Realty is here to Help
Patrick Parker Realty has dedicated personnel on hand to
take your calls if you have been displaced by Hurricane
Sandy. In addition, with the launch of our new website,
we want you to know about our property search feature
that can email you rentals or homes that meet your
specifications automatically once you register.
Jennifer Pricci, a Highlands resident displaced by Sandy,
was recently placed in a rental unit similar to what she
was already renting, in price and amenities.
“I spoke to many realtors after the storm hit. If it weren’t for Patrick Parker and the diligence of his team I do not
think I would have found a new home so quickly. I really got the sense that his office dropped everything to take
care of me. While juggling so much in the wake of the storm, Patrick Parker Realty helped make this transaction
as smooth as possible taking care of the many peripheral details so that I didn’t have to.”
Register for Automatic Property Alerts Delivered to your Inbox:
1. Go to www.patrickparkerrealty.com and on the top right of the page next to PROPERTY ALERTS click “SIGN-UP”
2. Click on Advanced Search
3. Choose from the dropdown menu what kind of property you’re seeking such as “Single Family Residential” or
“Rentals”
4. You can refine your search by checking boxes in the “Select type…” area
5. Choose the City in which you wish to search
To choose multiple cities hold down “Ctrl” continuously as you make your selections. All cities you select will
highlight. If you make a mistake you can simply unclick the city name but continue to hold the “Ctrl” key
6. Select the county. Hold down “Ctrl” and select Monmouth and Ocean unless you are considering moving outside
the immediate area.
7. Enter your Low Price and Enter your High Price Tip: Disregard Zip
8. Enter desired number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms Tip: Disregard Days Listed
9. Choose how you’d like to Sort your results Tip: For Renters, Disregard Min Sq Ft
10. Click “Next Step >”
11. Complete the registration form by entering your First and Last name, email, phone number, email format, and select
a password to log back into the system so you can save properties and return to them at a later date.
12. Click “Save my Search”
13. You will receive a notice that an email has been sent to the email address you registered for confirmation and
verification instructions. You will also then be brought to a page with your search results. Click “Save Search.”
If you need further assistance with the registration process Contact Patrick Parker Realty so we can help.

8. FEMA “Individual & Households” Grants Program
When Insurance Doesn’t Cover It… How Do I Apply for These Forms of Relief?
The Individuals and Households Grants Program offers Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling
two forms of assistance for individuals and families who 1-800-621-3362.
experienced property damage in the storm that is not
covered by insurance. You will need the following information when you apply:
1. Social security number. If you do not have one, your
What is “Housing Needs” Assistance?
household still may be eligible for assistance if there
Temporary financial assistance may be available for
is a minor child in the household who is a U.S. citizen
those who rented or owned, in order to rent a place to
with a social security number.
live or a government provided housing unit when rental
2. Current and pre-disaster address and telephone
properties are not available. Generally, emergency
number where you can be reached
rental assistance is available without a prior inspection of
3. Insurance information
the property for two months, and may be extended
4. Total household income
based on a review of the application and inspection. The
5. A description of your losses
maximum duration of assistance is 20 months. Amount
of assistance varies based on geographic location and What Happens After I Apply For Assistance?
size of the rental. You will receive a FEMA application number. FEMA will
also mail you (1) a copy of your application; and (2) a
Financial assistance may be available to homeowners to guide after you apply for relief which will provide you
repair damage to their primary residence caused by the with additional information about the aid.
disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to
make the home safe, sanitary and functional (e.g., FEMA usually grants between one and three months of
payment for a downed tree on the property that does rental assistance at a time. If applying for continued
not affect the safety of the house would not be covered). assistance you must provide documentation showing
If home repairs exceed your FEMA grant allocation, you that you are making efforts to obtain permanent housing
can apply for an SBA loan. at each recertification.
Financial assistance may be available to homeowners to
replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not
covered by insurance.
To qualify you must show that:
• You have losses in an area that has been declared a
disaster by the President
• You filed for insurance benefits and the damage to
your property is not covered or your insurance
settlement is insufficient to cover your losses
• You have a valid Social Security Number
• The home at issue is in the declared disaster area, and
is where you usually live and where you were living at
the time of the disaster
• You are not able to live in your home now, you cannot
get to your home due to the disaster, or your home
requires repairs due to damage caused by the disaster
View the Applicant’s Guide to the Individuals &
Households Program
Damages to a secondary or vacation home are not
compensable. However, if you own a secondary home
that is rented or occupied by a family member, you may
be eligible for assistance from the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA).

9. Tax Deductions for Victims
How to Get Catastrophe Tax Deduction
The tax code allows you to deduct a catastrophic loss It’s important to document any claims you make. If your
from your income. What’s a catastrophe? The IRS defines home is wiped out, it’s likely many of your records are as
it as “damage, destruction, or loss of property resulting well — in which case, you’ll have to reconstruct records
from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, or of your home’s value. One place to start would be with
unusual.” comparable home values from a database such as
Zillow.com.
If your house was in Sandy’s path, you probably qualify
for a catastrophe deduction If you’re dealing with a particularly large disaster claim,
you might consider getting an appraisal of your home’s
To get a Catastrophe Tax Deduction you must itemize pre- and post-disaster value from a qualified
your deductions. The catastrophic loss deduction is professional. If the IRS challenges your loss, you’ll have
limited to amounts above 10% of your adjusted gross convincing proof on your side.
income — the amount on line 37 of your 1040 form.
Adjusted gross income is your total income, minus More Information
exemptions and certain adjustments, such as traditional
IRA contributions and student loan interest. Internal Revenue Service
irs.gov
Remember that this is not a tax credit, which reduces Disaster resource guide for individuals and businesses
your taxes dollar-for-dollar. It’s a deduction, which Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook
reduces your taxable income, which, in turn, reduces Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook
your taxes. If you’re in the 25% tax bracket, for example,
a $4,900 deduction would reduce your taxes by $1,225. Insurance Information Institute
iii.org
The deduction is more lucrative if you have no insurance Settling Insurance Claims after a Disaster
— or if insurance refuses to pay. Tax Deductions for Unreimbursed Losses

10. Tax Reprieve for Victims
IRS Grants Tax Reprieve to Sandy Victims
IRS regulations provide that whenever there is a federally
declared disaster the IRS may postpone various tax filing
deadlines for taxpayers in the affected area by as much
as one year. This includes filing income tax returns and
paying taxes due.
Such relief applies to:
• any individual whose principal residence is located in
a covered disaster area
• any business entity or sole proprietor whose principal
place of business is located in a covered disaster area
• taxpayers not in the covered disaster area but whose
records necessary to meet an IRS deadline are in such
area
• any relief worker assisting in a covered disaster area.
• the spouse of an affected taxpayer for purposes of
filing a joint tax return
• any individual visiting the covered disaster area who
was killed or injured as a result of the disaster
This relief is automatic — taxpayers need not take any
action to qualify for it other than come within one of the
above categories. The IRS will abate any interest, late-
payment or late-filing penalty that would otherwise
apply.
The IRS has already postponed one deadline for Sandy
victims: It has granted taxpayers and tax preparers
affected by Hurricane Sandy until Nov. 7 to file returns
and accompanying payments normally due Oct. 31.
The IRS also announced that it is in the process of
postponing many more tax deadlines for taxpayers
affected by Hurricane Sandy or otherwise impacted by
the storm that hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern
United States. It will post these announcements on its
Tax Relief In Disaster Situations Web page.
Currently, federal disaster area declarations due to
Hurricane Sandy have been made for multiple counties in
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as the District of
Columbia. By visiting the FEMA website, you can easily
find out if your county has been declared a federal
disaster area.
If you live in the Sandy disaster area and receive a
penalty notice from the IRS, you should call the
telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate
any interest and any late-filing or late-payment penalties
that would otherwise be due.

11. Regarding Rentals
Renters Rights: What You Need to Know
If your rental was damaged by Hurricane Sandy and your
landlord refuses to make repairs this is called
“constructive eviction.” You can move out before the
lease ends and not be responsible for rent for the time
left on the lease. You are also entitled to have your
security deposit returned to you.
Just some of the conditions that fall under “constructive
eviction” include no heat, no water, a broken toilet, a
broken elevator, flooding and excessive and constant
disturbances. It is important to have proof of the bad
conditions. You can get this proof by having a building
inspection done and taking pictures before you move
out.
To arrange an inspection:
• If you live in a building with three or more
apartments, you may arrange an inspection by calling
the State Inspection service at 609-633-6241, or visit
http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/housi
nginspection.html
• If you live in a building with two or less apartments,
call your municipality to arrange for a building
inspection.
• It is important that you first give the landlord written
notice of the defective conditions and a reasonable
amount of time to make repairs. Send your notice by
certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep a
copy for your records
You also have the legal right to call in the building or
health inspector, use your rent to make repairs, withhold
your rent or take legal action.
What if you received an eviction notice?
You do NOT have to leave. The only person who can
legally evict you is a judge. In fact, a lockout or eviction is
illegal if it is not done pursuant to a court order. A judge
can order your eviction only after a hearing, and the
landlord must show one of 18 possible bases for eviction
under the Anti-Eviction Act.
Any landlord who illegally evicts a tenant has committed
a disorderly persons offense. For detailed information
about the eviction process, contact New Jersey Legal
Services at 1-888-576-5529 or visit
http://www.lsnjlaw.org/housing/Landlord-
Tenant/Evictions/Pages/default.aspx.
If you are searching for a new rental you can register for
Automatic Property Alerts on the Patrick Parker Realty
website to get desired listings delivered directly to your
inbox. Or call us at 732-455-5252 to speak with a
dedicated Hurricane Sandy displacement specialist.

12. Additional Resources
Key Contacts
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) More Tips and Tools
1-800-621-FEMA Buying A New Home After Hurricane Sandy
www.DisasterAssistance.gov Managing Credit and Debt After Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy Mortgage Relief
Small Business Assistance/Disaster Loan Applications Replacing Lost Income After Hurricane Sandy
http://www.sba.gov/content/applying-disaster-loan Consumer Protection & Fraud During Times of Disaster
Renters Rights & Warrant of Habitability
NJ 2-1-1 Hurricane Response and Recover
Automatic Property Alerts
www.nj211.org
NJHelps is a free guide to help you to determine what
programs and assistance for which you may be eligible.
Disclaimer: Patrick Parker Realty makes available this Guide for general
Housing Assistance purposes only. It was compiled from numerous sources. Although we
http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/njhope/alliance.html intend the information contained herein to be helpful, we cannot
warrant that it is complete, particularly since circumstances may change
Automatic Property Alerts after this Guide is disseminated. Also, the Guide is intended to be
general in nature, and does not provide information applicable to any
American Red Cross 732-493-9100 individual’s unique factual situation. It is thus important to note that
NJDOE Hotline for Families Displaced 609-292-2070 this Guide does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon
as legal advice.
Office of Consumer Protection at 1-800-242-5846
For Disability Assistance 1-877-222-3737 Acknowledgements: We acknowledge with gratitude the efforts of those
For Assistance with Pets 1-855-407-4787 who have contributed to preparing this resource and bringing it to
Mental Health Hotline 1-800-985-5990 or 211 fruition: Patrick Parker Realty Brokers, Agents and Partners, Inman
News, NJAR, USA Today, The law firm of McCarter & English, LLP, AOL
New Jersey Disaster Legal Services 1-888-541-1900 Real Estate PHANTOM POWER, FEMA, SBA, Google Images, Fannie Mae,
Additional Resources and Contacts Freddie Mac.

13. Jennifer Pricci
Marketing
PHANTOM POWER
New Jersey
624 Main Street . Bradley Beach, NJ 07720 . Phone: 732.455.5252 . Fax: 732.455.5250
info@patrickparkerrealty.com . www.patrickparkerrealty.com